1.800. 973. 1177
LAWCROSSING FEATURED EMPLOYER OF THE WEEK
Steptoe & Johnson [Joann Chang] Known for its excellent reputation in Washington, DC, this firm attracts some of the nation’s top attorneys, but good grades alone won’t get you a job here -- they also value personality.
A history of forging political ties and abiding
endured during the first Gulf War.
by the Washington standard of courtesy has
Although the starting associates salaries are not strikingly generous, associates at
made Steptoe & Johnson one of the stron-
It appears that the diplomatic environment
Steptoe find that they are well-compensated
gest and most congenial firms in the nation.
has rubbed off on the doorsteps of Steptoe’s
for their agreeable work environment. The
1330 Connecticut Avenue address. Hours
law firm describes its salary offerings as
The firm known as Steptoe & Johnson that
are described as reasonable and fellow
competitive with Washington standards and
rests comfortably in Dupont Circle is actu-
colleagues are found to be gracious and
with such amiable colleagues, so who can
ally a spin-off of the original firm that began
approachable. The official billable hours
complain? Steptoe also springs for extras
in West Virginia in 1913. Founding partner
requirement of 1,950 is easily met at this
such as paying for travel expenses for sum-
Colonel Louis Johnson began the Washing-
firm of hard workers. The firm’s polite and
mer associates, moving expenses for new
ton D.C. branch of the firm when he took up
enjoyable culture seems to spoil its new
attorneys, and living expenses for associates
the position of Assistant Secretary of War
associates and to disprove the skepticism of
awaiting the bar exam. And with the bonus
under FDR. A split in the 1980s resulted in
its lateral hires, many of whom doubted the
system applying after 2,100 hours, associates
the newer Steptoe & Johnson that has five
co-existence of lawyers and pleasure. Social
also appreciate the option to work longer for
offices and is based out of D.C., while the
events sanctioned by the firm include paid
more compensation.
old, and now unaffiliated, Steptoe remains a
lunches for taking out new associates, sailing
strong presence in West Virginia.
in the Chesapeake Bay with summer associ-
In addition to providing excellent legal work
ates, and hanging out in the firm’s box at the
and maintaining friendly offices, Steptoe &
MCI Center.
Johnson boasts one of the most active pro
The 350-lawyer firm is best known for its telecommunications and lobbying efforts,
bono programs in the nation. The firm has
but has received attention for its recent
The firm prides itself on its down-to-earth
a full-time pro bono coordinator and was
high-profile cases. Steptoe has represented
and friendly attorneys and goes to great
one of the first law firms to have this Public
telecommunication giants in several merg-
lengths to keep its offices happy. Steptoe
Service Counsel position. The firm has insti-
ers and joint venture agreements such as
& Johnson looks for graduates from top
tuted many new initiatives including a Public
the MCI-Worldcom, AT&T-MediaOne, and
law schools and officially recruits nineteen
Service Associate Rotation Program, in which
Bell Atlantic-GTE deals. Steptoe’s connec-
of them each year, but will not hire blindly
volunteer associates work at the Legal Aid
tions with policymakers come as no surprise
based on credentials. If you would like to be
Society of Washington D.C., and a Summer
when considering the history of the firm’s
a part of this idyllic firm culture, be prepared
Public Service Program, in which summer
establishment in D.C. The firm lists a former
to show proof of your “excellent personal
associates spend a portion of their summers
General Counsel to the National Security
qualities” in addition to your top academic
at public interest organizations in Washing-
Agency, former Attorney General to the State
credentials. Additionally, though the firm
ton D.C. Associates can also include up to
of Montana, and a former General Counsel
boasts an almost one-to-one partner-associ-
100 hours of pro bono work in their billable
to the Senate Banking Committee among its
ate ratio, achieving actual partnership is just
hours requirement.
partners in the government relations group.
as hard as any other medium firm. Associ-
Recently, Steptoe has been making news for
ates are typically up for partnership after
representing the former general counsel
their eighth year and the firm does its best to
of Tyco International, Mark A. Belnick, and
provide accurate reviews of candidates after
Steptoe & Johnson currently has several
for heading the case of 17 former Ameri-
their sixth and seventh years.
openings in Washington D.C. and Phoenix
can POWs against Iraq for the torture they
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Jobs
including opportunities for experienced
continued on back
LAWCROSSING FEATURED EMPLOYER OF THE WEEK
litigation and intellectual property associates. More information regarding attorney positions at Steptoe & Johnson can be found in the LawCrossing job database.
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1. 800. 973.1177