Steptoe LLP
A prominent international law firm based in Washington, D.C.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
Steptoe LLP is an American law firm founded in 1913, headquartered in Washington, D.C. With over 500 lawyers and offices worldwide, it provides legal services in litigation, regulatory, and corporate matters. The firm is known for its expertise in government relations, international trade, and dispute resolution.
History
Steptoe's history began in 1913, when Philip Steptoe, Louis A. Johnson, and John Rixie, all connected with the University of Virginia School of Law, formed Steptoe, Rixey, & Johnson in Clarksburg, West Virginia. Rixie left the following year, and the firm adopted the name Steptoe & Johnson. Its first decades were rooted in West Virginia legal practice, including legislative and regulatory work. The firm opened a Charleston office in 1928 to be closer to the state's capital and its expanding government-related opportunities. Louis A. Johnson became an important source of national visibility. After military service in World War I, he helped found the American Legion and served as its national commander in the mid-1930s. Roosevelt appointed him Assistant Secretary of War in 1937. Following his government service, Johnson established the firm's Washington, D.C., office in 1945. The office attracted clients from the airline, pipeline, railroad, and international sectors. It also handled matters involving foreign assets seized during World War II. These engagements helped the practice develop recognized capabilities in regulatory law, tax, and international trade. Johnson became Secretary of Defense in 1949 under Harry Truman and served until 1950. The firm's Washington office continued to grow, benefiting from its location and from the broader role of its lawyers in government, business, and public policy. Over time, attorneys connected with Steptoe served in senior federal, judicial, diplomatic, congressional, and state-government positions, contributing to the firm's reputation as a politically and institutionally connected Washington practice. A major organizational change occurred in 1980, when the historical practice divided into two independent firms. The Washington-based organization became Steptoe & Johnson Chartered, later known as Steptoe LLP. The original West Virginia organization continued separately and eventually became Steptoe & Johnson PLLC. The shared history therefore reflects a common origin rather than a single continuing partnership. The Washington firm's geographic expansion accelerated from the late twentieth century onward. It opened a Phoenix office in 1987, then expanded to Los Angeles in 1997, London in 2001, Brussels in 2002, New York in 2005, Chicago in 2007, and Beijing in 2010. The firm established a Palo Alto office in 2014 and moved that operation to San Francisco in 2017. Its international platform supports matters involving trade, customs, arbitration, investigations, compliance, litigation, and government regulation. Steptoe has maintained a notable public-policy and technology orientation. The firm was an early large-law-firm participant in blockchain legal work and became known for accepting bitcoin as payment. It has also developed a substantial pro bono identity; its 2015 recognition in The American Lawyer's Am Law 200 pro bono report placed it among firms with significant average hours and breadth of commitment. Various legal and civic organizations have recognized its pro bono work. In November 2021, Gwendolyn Prothro Renigar became chairperson. In December 2023, the Washington practice formally removed Johnson's name and rebranded as Steptoe LLP. The modern firm operates as a private international law practice, with its core identity centered on complex legal advice, regulatory strategy, international commerce, disputes, investigations, tax, and public policy.
- 2023
Rebrand to Steptoe LLP
[1]The Washington-based firm removed Johnson from its registered name and adopted Steptoe LLP.
- 2021
New chairperson elected
[1]Gwendolyn Prothro Renigar was elected chairperson.
- 2010
Beijing office opened
[1]The firm expanded its Asia presence by opening an office in Beijing.
- 2002
Brussels office opened
[1]The firm established a Brussels presence, supporting European regulatory and trade work.
- 2001
London office opened
[1]The firm expanded its international network with a London office.
- 1980
Historical firm separates
[1]The Washington-based practice and the West Virginia practice became separate firms.
- 1945
Washington office established
[1]Louis A. Johnson opened the firm's Washington, D.C., office after leaving federal government service.
- 1928
Charleston office opened
[1]The firm opened a Charleston, West Virginia, office to support legislative and regulatory work in the state capital.
- 1914
Name becomes Steptoe & Johnson
[1]John Rixie left the practice, which then operated under the Steptoe & Johnson name.
- 1913
Firm founded in Clarksburg
[1]Philip Steptoe, Louis A. Johnson, and John Rixie established Steptoe, Rixey, & Johnson in Clarksburg, West Virginia.
Products and positioning
A Washington-centered, internationally oriented law firm positioned around complex regulatory, trade, litigation, tax, government, and public-policy matters. Its brand emphasizes sophisticated counsel for highly regulated industries, cross-border business, and clients facing government scrutiny or significant legal risk.
Legal services
International trade and customs
Counsel for importers, exporters, manufacturers, governments, and other organizations facing trade regulation, customs, tariffs, sanctions, and cross-border commercial issues. This capability reflects the firm's historical concentration in international trade and its presence in Washington, Brussels, London, Beijing, and other commercially important locations.
Legal services
Regulatory and administrative law
Advice and representation involving government agencies, rulemaking, licensing, regulated industries, enforcement, and administrative proceedings. The practice builds on the firm's early legislative and regulatory work in West Virginia and its later Washington-based public-policy focus.
Legal services
Litigation and dispute resolution
Representation in complex commercial, regulatory, appellate, arbitration, and other disputes. The service is aimed at companies and institutions whose matters involve significant legal, economic, governmental, or cross-border consequences.
Legal services
Tax
Tax planning, controversy, and advisory work for businesses and other clients. Tax became one of the firm's recognized areas as it expanded its work for transportation, infrastructure, international, and regulated-industry clients.
Legal services
Blockchain and digital assets
Legal advice concerning blockchain technology, digital assets, and related regulatory and commercial questions. The firm has been described as an early major law-firm adopter of a dedicated blockchain practice and has accepted bitcoin payment.
Marketing campaigns
- 2015Pro bono program
United States · International
The firm's pro bono work was recognized in The American Lawyer's 2015 Am Law 200 pro bono report, which evaluated average hours and breadth of commitment. The program has also received recognition from several legal and civic organizations.
Outcome. The firm was ranked 19th among Am Law 200 firms in the cited pro bono report and received additional recognition from organizations including the Animal Legal Defense Fund and the ABA Death Penalty Representation Project.
Brand decisions
2023
Adopt the Steptoe LLP nameStrategyBackground
The Washington-based firm had operated for decades as Steptoe & Johnson despite being separate from the West Virginia firm with the same historical name.
Action taken
In December 2023, it removed Johnson from its registered legal name and rebranded as Steptoe LLP.
Aftermath
The rebrand clarified the identity of the Washington-based international firm while preserving its historical continuity under the Steptoe name.
1980
Separate the Washington and West Virginia practicesStrategyBackground
The historical Steptoe & Johnson organization had developed distinct Washington and West Virginia practices with different geographic and commercial orientations.
Action taken
The Washington practice became Steptoe & Johnson Chartered, while the founding West Virginia practice continued as a separate partnership.
Aftermath
The Washington organization evolved into Steptoe LLP, while the West Virginia organization became Steptoe & Johnson PLLC.
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