Overview
(March 11, 2024, Washington, DC) — Steptoe LLP has expanded its top-tier International Trade and Regulatory Compliance practice with the addition of partner Karl Hopkins and a team of other policy and legal advisors. The team joins Steptoe's Houston, New York, and Washington, DC offices.
"We are thrilled to welcome Karl to Steptoe. His internationally recognized reputation in national security, global risk management, and cyber security, and impressive track record in advising clients across multiple industries around the world, match Steptoe's strategic focus and make him a valuable addition to our firm," said Steptoe chair Gwen Renigar. "His team adds a new dimension to the capabilities of our International Trade and Regulatory Compliance practice, which advises clients on matters at the intersection of international business, government policy, regulation, and the courts. We are delighted to have him and his team on board and look forward to the contributions they will make."
Karl is an internationally recognized legal advisor with extensive experience in national security, cybersecurity, privacy, and government contracts, as well as disputes in construction and energy sectors. He has acted as the security C-suite officer for a large multinational organization, overseeing information security, physical security, compliance, investigation threat and political analysis, data retention, incident response, and insider threat programs. Karl also assists global institutions in managing physical security breaches, cyber incidents, insider threats, and reputational impacts, and has extensive experience defending clients' interests in international arbitration. With clients in over 50 countries, Karl has represented international oil companies, financial institutions, airlines, shipping companies, engineering and construction firms, high-net-worth individuals, and government entities.
Karl added: "I am thrilled about the opportunities that lie ahead. With the firm's strong international reputation, global presence, and multi-jurisdictional client base, I am confident that the firm provides the right platform to support our clients' needs. It is a privilege to take this next step in my career alongside a group of highly respected and diverse attorneys, and I am eager to collaborate and contribute to the continued success of the firm and its clients."
Steptoe has one of the largest and most experienced International Trade and Regulatory Compliance practices of any major international law firm, counting more than 65 lawyers dedicated to these matters in the United States, Europe and Asia. Steptoe's International Trade and Regulatory Compliance practice is consistently top-ranked by Chambers and has received numerous accolades. Named six times to Law360's list of International Trade Firms of the Year, Steptoe has also been awarded the China Business Law award in international trade for ten consecutive years.
About Steptoe
In more than 110 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, Houston, London, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, and Washington. For more information, visit www.steptoe.com.
The diversity of the firm is a critical factor in its success. The firm's chair is a woman; the majority of the firm's elected executive committee is female; the majority of Steptoe's ten offices are managed by women; and the majority of Steptoe's practice groups have women as leaders. The firm's six-person professional business services leadership is equally diverse, with two women of color, and other leaders who openly identify as LGBTQ+.
