Steptoe Opens an Office in Houston, Joining Forces with SKV

(January 16, 2024, Washington, DC) — Washington, DC-based Steptoe LLP has opened an office in Houston with the partners, associates and business services team members of top-tier trial boutique SKV.

Partners at Steptoe and SKV both voted in favor of the move, which adds more than 40 lawyers and business services team members to Steptoe.

Both firms see significant client opportunities as a result of the move. Texas is home to many longstanding Steptoe clients in the energy and transportation industries; a major hub for IP litigation; a major insurance litigation market; an emergent technology hub; as well as a major world economy.

For SKV, the move will broaden its reach across the United States and into international markets, as well as create more opportunities for major investigations, arbitrations, litigation and trials, both inside and outside of Texas.

According to SKV founding partner Craig Smyser: “We are known for being strong champions and thoughtful advisors on the issues facing our clients. We have taken the same approach in considering our own firm and what is best for our clients and our people. We have been approached by many other national and international firms in the past and have declined their offers every time. Steptoe is different. With its focus on litigation, including civil, regulatory and white-collar work, we believe Steptoe’s practice and clients align well with our own, and its people recognize the importance of our culture with its emphasis on excellent legal work, rigorous attention to client service and teamwork.”

Partner Jarod Stewart added: “I look forward to being the managing partner of Steptoe’s Houston office and to continuing to grow our partners’ practices together. My integration will be swift because I will be trying my first case as a new Steptoe partner in just two weeks.”

According to Gwen Renigar, Steptoe Chair: “SKV has a world-class reputation as a trial powerhouse in both the Texas market and the rest of the country. I have admired the firm and its lawyers from my days as a law clerk in the Southern District of Texas, and my admiration has only grown over the years as I have gotten to know them better through shared client work. I am confident that our clients will be well-served by our joining forces, and that continued opportunities will flow organically.”

Background Facts

SKV is a 45-person firm based in Houston, Texas.  Founded in 1995, SKV focuses on trial work, arbitrations, and appeals. The firm has been named the best small litigation firm in the state of Texas by Texas Lawyer. Benchmark Litigation named SKV one of the 10 best litigation boutiques in the United States. Many of its lawyers are recognized by Chambers and other nationally and internationally respected legal rating groups. 

Steptoe is a firm of more than 500 lawyers and legal professionals, headquartered in Washington, DC, with additional offices in Beijing, Brussels, Chicago, Hong Kong, London, Los Angeles, New York, and San Francisco, and now Houston. The firm reported revenues of US$434 million for 2022. Founded in 1913, the firm advises clients at the intersection of business, government and the courts. 

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 nine 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+.