Overview
(December 13, 2022 Washington, DC) — Steptoe & Johnson LLP is pleased to announce a promotions class consisting of 15 lawyers effective January 1, 2023. Elected to the firm's partnership are Shaun Boedicker, Paul Lee, Jordan Markham, Daniel Rubenstein, Nick Silverman, and Joo Cha Webb. Promoted to of counsel are Justin Ben-Asher, Harmony Jones, Scott Richey, Mark Savignac, and Patrick Tofilon. In addition, the firm has elevated four partners from non-equity to equity status, two men and two women.
The group is the largest promotion class for the firm, reflecting strength in diverse offices and practices, including energy, life sciences litigation and intellectual property, food contact and labeling, investigations and white-collar defense, and commercial litigation. The firm also has promoted up through the ranks for the first-time a pro bono partner, in recognition of his substantial contributions to the firm and of the pro bono program.
In congratulating the promoted lawyers, Steptoe Chair Gwen Renigar commented: "We are proud to be promoting a large and diverse class, reflecting not only the continued growth of our firm and rich talent base, but also the unique individuals who help deliver top quality work to our clients every day. We are honored by their contributions to the firm and look forward to their continued growth."
Over the last five years, on average half of those promoted to partnership have been women. The internal promotions come at a time when the firm is also building out its core capabilities through meaningful lateral hires. So far this year Steptoe has expanded its litigation practice with four lateral hires, brought on two new partners on the international trade and regulatory compliance team, and expanded its corporate and property, transportation, government affairs and public policy, tax & private client, and insurance, reinsurance and professional liability practices.
New Partners from January 1, 2023
Shaun Boedicker (Washington, Energy) focuses his practice on a wide-range of litigation and regulatory matters for regulated energy companies before the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and in state and federal court. He regularly represents clients in highly complex and contentious disputes, and has particular experience in applying preemption and related doctrines to suits brought against his clients. He has taken and defended numerous depositions of fact witnesses and experts in a wide range of proceedings, defended and cross-examined witnesses in FERC proceedings, and argued a case on behalf of an electric utility in the DC Circuit Court of Appeals. He earned his J.D., from the University of Virginia School of Law, and his B.S., summa cum laude, from Bentley University.
Paul Lee (Washington, Pro Bono) oversees Steptoe's pro bono program and supervises on a variety of pro bono matters, particularly those involving immigration and juvenile law. He has responsibility for all aspects of the firm's pro bono efforts and serves as the firm's point person in working with legal service organizations, locally, nationally, and internationally. Paul brings a wealth of experience in the management of a multinational law firm pro bono program. As pro bono counsel at his prior firm, he developed multi-office projects in the areas of representing immigrants, assisting veterans, and meeting the needs of the homeless. Paul previously served as the pro bono coordinator for Kids in Need of Defense (KIND), a national organization providing pro bono representation to unaccompanied immigrant children. He launched the DC field office of KIND, liaising with multiple law firms, border agencies, courts, child welfare organizations, schools and other community groups. Paul also held leadership positions with the bar, serving on the DC Bar Board of Governors. He earned his J.D., from Georgetown University Law Center, and B.A., from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Jordan Markham (New York, Intellectual Property) focuses his practice on intellectual property litigation in a wide range of technologies, including pharmaceuticals (Hatch-Waxman), biotechnology, chemical manufacturing, gene sequencing, optical switches, semiconductors, and mechanical devices. He handles all facets of litigation from pre-suit investigation through appeal, including managing complex fact and expert discovery, deposing fact and expert witnesses, and coordinating pre-trial preparation. Notably, Jordan has played substantial roles in multiple bench and jury trials, taking the direct and cross examinations of key expert witnesses, arguing Daubert and in limine motions, and drafting dispositive motions and post-trial briefs. He has litigated patent cases in district courts throughout the United Sates, as well as at the International Trade Commission. Apart from patent litigation, he has also handled trade secret, trademark, bankruptcy, and contract disputes. He earned his J.D., from New York University School of Law, his M.S., from the University of California, Berkeley, and his B.S., from the State University of New York, Buffalo.
Daniel Rubenstein (Washington, Chemical and Life Sciences) is a member of Steptoe's Global Food Contact Materials Team, where he provides strategic advice and guidance to industry regarding regulatory requirements for food packaging materials and food ingredients across the globe. As an Industrial Engineer with experience in manufacturing and supply chain analysis, Daniel recognizes the importance of providing timely and actionable advice to clients to support critical regulatory decisions that drive product innovation, marketing, and promotion. Daniel leverages this experience to assist companies in establishing compliance for products regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), China, and other jurisdictions throughout Asia and South America. He earned his J.D., cum laude, from the University of Maryland School of Law, and his Bachelor of Science in Engineering (B.S.E.), magna cum laude, from the University of Pittsburgh.
Nick Silverman (Washington, White-Collar) is an experienced trial lawyer who represents clients navigating all stages of criminal investigations and enforcement. In recent years, Nick has litigated federal criminal trials in the Southern District of New York and Central District of California where he won a landmark post-trial dismissal and other relief based on constitutional violations. Outside of the courtroom, Nick has represented his clients in various capacities, running internal investigations, advocating against indictment or enforcement actions, and advocating on behalf of victims. Nick earned his J.D., cum laude, from Georgetown University Law Center, where he now teaches as an adjunct law professor, and earned his B.A., from Reed College.
Joo Cha Webb (Los Angeles, Chemical and Life Sciences) litigates a variety of claims in the areas of environmental and toxic tort law and commercial matters. Joo's environmental practice focuses on the defense of energy and oil companies, manufacturers, distributors, and industrial users of a variety of consumer and industrial products against claims involving per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), benzene, organic solvents, silica, aluminum, lead, formaldehyde, and various other substances. Joo regularly advises clients in pre-litigation risk assessment and areas involving regulatory compliance and obligations. She also has experience managing all aspects of litigation involving a wide array of claims including those involving wage and hour disputes and wrongful termination, breach of contract and catastrophic injuries. She earned her J.D., from Boston College Law School, and her B.A., magna cum laude, from the University of California, Los Angeles.
New Counsel from January 1, 2023
Justin Ben-Asher (New York, Commercial Litigation) represents clients in complex multidistrict litigation and international arbitrations. His work spans the aerospace and defense, energy, construction, financial services, and insurance industries, among others. His pro bono legal service includes representation of the City of New York as well as housing and family court matters. He is a recipient of The Legal Aid Society's Pro Bono Publico Award. He earned his J.D. from Harvard Law School, and his B.A., cum laude, from Yale University.
Harmony Jones (Washington, Pro Bono) assists in managing Steptoe's pro bono program. She is responsible for guiding and supporting firm-wide participation in the program, which seeks to increase access to justice by providing legal services to low-income individuals and charitable organizations. She provides representation and mentorship on a variety of pro bono matters, including those involving civil rights, criminal justice and public benefits law. She also works to develop and maintain innovative partnerships with legal service organizations, locally, nationally, and internationally. She earned her J.D. from Harvard Law School, and her B.A., magna cum laude, from the University of Maryland.
Scott Richey (Washington, Intellectual Property) is a registered patent attorney focused on helping clients engaged in high-stakes patent and trade secret litigation in federal courts and in the US International Trade Commission. In addition, Scott represents clients before the US Patent and Trademark Office, including the Patent Trial and Appeal Board, and the US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. He earned his J.D., from American University, Washington College of Law, his M.S. in physics, from the Catholic University of America, and his B.S. in physics, from the University of Missouri, Kansas City.
Mark Savignac (Washington, Commercial Litigation) focuses his practice on appeals, dispositive motions, and litigation strategy in cases presenting complex legal issues. He has developed litigation strategy and drafted briefs in the Supreme Court of the United States, the federal courts of appeals, and other courts on issues in a wide range of fields, including antitrust, commercial law, constitutional law, criminal law, energy law, ERISA, federal jurisdiction and procedure, federal preemption, intellectual property law, and statutory interpretation. He has also successfully argued appeals before the US Courts of Appeals for the Third and Seventh Circuits. He earned his J.D., magna cum laude from Harvard Law School, and his B.A., from the University of Illinois.
Patrick Tofilon (Washington, Commercial Litigation) leads the firm's CLDC eDiscovery group, where he advises clients and firm practice groups on a range of eDiscovery issues in connection with litigation, cross-border transactions, internal investigations, and regulatory and enforcement matters. Patrick counsels clients on eDiscovery strategies and best practices, managing the discovery process, leveraging discovery analytics and technology, and defending and resolving issues that arise during the course of discovery. He earned his J.D., with honors, from The University of Texas School of Law, and his B.A., with honors, from the University of Texas, Austin.
About Steptoe
In more than 100 years of practice, Steptoe has earned an international reputation for vigorous representation of clients before governmental agencies, successful advocacy in litigation and arbitration, and creative and practical advice in structuring business transactions. Steptoe has more than 500 lawyers and other professional staff across offices in Beijing, Brussels, Chicago, Hong Kong, London, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, and Washington. For more information, visit www.steptoe.com.
