Overview
(March 5, 2025, Washington, DC) — Steptoe LLP has announced the significant expansion of its global investigations, business and human rights, and anti-corruption capabilities with the addition of partners Jonathan Drimmer and Yousuf Aftab, senior counsel Timothy Dickinson, and their substantial team of lawyers and advisors. Both Jon and Tim join Steptoe in Washington, DC, and Yousuf joins in New York.
"The obligations and expectations for multinational corporations regarding their relationships with workers, communities, and other stakeholders continue to increase. US and international clients look for our help in navigating complex and changing legal landscapes across their operations. Jon, Yousuf, and Tim’s top-tier reputations in building agency programs and representing private parties in legal matters involving human rights and anti-corruption make them invaluable to clients working intersection of business, regulation, policy, and the courts, and expand Steptoe's ability to serve its clients on a global level. We have followed their work with admiration in the past and are delighted to have them and their team on board for the future," said firm chair Gwen Renigar.
Band ranked 1 in Chambers for Business and Human Rights Law, and highly regarded in anti-corruption, Jon helps companies manage multi-faceted dilemmas in their international activities, developing and managing solutions that encompass legal, operational and political dimensions. He advises a range of clients across numerous sectors, and has directed hundreds of investigations around the world, representing companies and individuals in high-profile government enforcement proceedings. He has participated in dozens of major disputes in the US, Canada, and abroad, including human rights and transnational torts, corruption allegations, environmental matters, international arbitration, construction issues, and land controversies. He also has particular experience in non-judicial and quasi-judicial legal proceedings involving human rights and transnational torts, including OECD National Contact Point disputes, claims before international human rights commissions, and inquiries by UN offices and agencies.
Jon's experience includes designing a variety of human rights remedy programs, and serving as independent reviewer and monitor for anti-corruption programs, and human rights programs and grievance mechanisms. He was a partner at Steptoe from 2007 to 2011 before going in-house to a Fortune 500 company.
Yousuf is a Chambers-ranked global leader in Business and Human Rights Law. He brings a unique blend of legal, strategic, and on-the-ground investigation experience to help global companies navigate the complex interplay of responsible business standards and law, brand risk, and investor expectations. Yousuf has been at the vanguard of business and human rights since 2008, when he served as counsel to UN Global Compact. He has since built an industry-leading strategic advisory firm and a Chambers-ranked sustainability law firm, and advised an array of Fortune 100 companies, investors, governments, and international organizations on the design and implementation of effective human rights governance. He has also counseled leading companies on crisis management, litigation, OECD Specific Instances, regulatory investigations, and Congressional hearings. Yousuf is the co-author of Business and Human Rights as Law (LexisNexis 2019). He is bringing with him an experienced team, including a Chambers "associate to watch."
Tim is a renowned practicing lawyer and professor with extensive experience in global investigations and compliance. He navigates complex legal landscapes and engages with various governments and stakeholders around the world to address human rights and regulatory issues. Tim also works with a wide range of industries on anti-corruption matters, establishing and implementing compliance programs, conducting due diligence for third parties and acquisitions, and leading special investigations and defense before regulators in the US and abroad, including the UK's Serious Fraud Office. Tim was appointed an independent expert on multiple occasions within deferred prosecution agreements with the Department of Justice and the SEC. He was selected by the World Bank to assist with the development of their Voluntary Disclosure Program, and participated with Bank staff in evaluating and recommending improvements to a VDP participant's compliance program. He has also advocated for clients with multi-lateral development banks.
Tim is also considered one of the few authorities in the area of political risk insurance, helping insurers around the world with claims assessments, dispute resolution, and arbitration against foreign sovereigns. He also utilizes his unique capabilities assisting insurers with recoveries post claims.
Jon commented: "I am excited to rejoin Steptoe. The firm's international regulatory practice has long been market leading, with the anti-corruption team a cornerstone. Business and human rights is the next major area of international regulatory compliance that companies must address, and the team at Steptoe will be second to none."
Yousuf added: "I am thrilled to join Steptoe and work with Jon, Tim, and leading attorneys across the globe. The firm is uniquely positioned to assist clients with the rapidly evolving landscape of responsible business risk and opportunity. This move marks an exciting new chapter, and I am eager to broaden and deepen our offerings in this critical area."
Tim added: "This is a great opportunity for all of us at a forward-thinking firm. I am excited about working with my colleagues to realize the vision we all share of a full-service international regulatory practice at Steptoe."
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.
