Overview
(November 16, 2021, Los Angeles) — Steptoe's Commercial Litigation and International Arbitration practices continue their 2021 expansion with the arrival of Tom Watson as a partner in Los Angeles. At Steptoe, Watson reunites with partners and former colleagues Juliya Arbisman and Robby Mockler, who joined the firm in June.
Steptoe Chair Phil West commented: "Tom brings tremendous experience and a reputation for excellence. He will add further depth to our growing bench of top, trial-ready lawyers and to our international arbitration practice, especially with his focus on international energy disputes. This is an exciting time at our firm, as just in the past few months, we have added six new litigation partners."
Watson focuses his practice on the trial and arbitration of complex, often bet-the-company, matters. He has a particular emphasis on energy, financial, bankruptcy, human rights, cross-border, and international disputes. Watson also has deep experience litigating whistleblower claims under the False Claims Act. Watson has represented U.S. and international clients in federal and state courts across the United States, and he has tried numerous cases successfully, including both jury trials and bench trials. He also has substantial experience representing clients in arbitration, both nationally and internationally.
Watson commented: "I am thrilled to join Steptoe; it provides excellent client service and winning results, and I believe that its well-known experience in energy and other sectors, as well as its strong international footprint, will serve clients well. I also look forward to being part of Steptoe's thriving and growing Los Angeles office and to helping to expand its presence in the marketplace."
Steptoe’s Complex Commercial Disputes and International Arbitration Groups handle virtually every kind of complex business dispute in courts and arbitrations throughout the United States and abroad. The firm has conducted arbitrations, in whole or in part, in Spanish, Portuguese, French, Russian, and Mandarin Chinese, and is capable of handling arbitrations in a number of other languages. Steptoe’s commercial litigation practice is ranked Tier 1 nationally in US News - Best Lawyers® "Best Law Firms," is ranked in Washington, DC by Chambers USA, and has been described by Law360 as a “Litigation Powerhouse.” The firm’s international arbitration practice has been recognized by Global Arbitration Review on its GAR 100 for the past four years. In addition, many of Steptoe's first-chair trial lawyers have been recognized as "MVPs" or "Trial Aces" by Law360, and litigators have garnered accolades from Chambers USA, The Legal 500, The Lawyer, and Global Arbitration Review. The firm’s investor-state disputes practice in London has been recognized by The American Lawyer and Global Arbitration Review for its pathbreaking representation against the government of Zimbabwe in a long-running land dispute.
Watson received his J.D. from Georgetown University School of Law and his bachelor’s degree, cum laude, from Harvard University.
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.