February 3, London, UK – LAWFUEL – The Law News Network – Steptoe & Johnson today announced the addition of Neil Ellis as a partner in its expanding insurance practice in the United Kingdom. He will be based in the firm’s London office.
An insurance and reinsurance solicitor with more than 25 years experience, Mr Ellis joins Steptoe after 14 years as a partner at DLA (now DLA Piper Rudnick Gray Cary).
Mr Ellis has wide experience with insurance and reinsurance matters, acting for major international and domestic companies as well as Lloyd’s syndicates, both in an advisory capacity and in the litigation of major disputes. In his many years of practice, Mr Ellis has represented clients both in the live market and the now significant run-off market, including companies in liquidation and companies subject to Schemes of Arrangement.
“Neil’s arrival continues the impressive growth of our UK insurance and reinsurance practice,” said Maury Shenk, Managing Partner of the London office. “We have strong trans-Atlantic insurance/reinsurance capabilities, with significant synergies among our growing team in London; our leading US insurance practice, which has more than 50 lawyers; and our insurance lawyers in Brussels. We also continue to pursue strategic growth of the firm’s other UK practices, which include litigation and arbitration, international trade, technology, corporate and commercial, commercial property, and employment.”
Mr. Ellis will work together with Angus Rodger, who joined the firm last year, in leading the firm’s London insurance/reinsurance practice. Mr. Rodger’s practice includes both contentious matters, with an emphasis on international insurance and reinsurance disputes, and transactional insurance matters, including financing issues, policy drafting and negotiations.
“Steptoe & Johnson provides a truly international platform for my practice,” Mr. Ellis said. “We already share some large clients, and its exceptional reputation and client base in the US will provide many opportunities to broaden the scope and depth of my work. Furthermore, the firm’s emphasis on maintaining a lawyer-driven management style was a strong draw for me. These factors make Steptoe an exceptional fit for me at this stage of my career.”
Born in South Africa, Mr. Ellis is a 1973 graduate of the University of Natal in Durban. He earned his LL.B. cum laude and was admitted as an attorney in South Africa in 1976. He moved to London in 1977 and was admitted as a UK solicitor in 1981.
With nearly 400 lawyers, Steptoe & Johnson and its US affiliate Steptoe & Johnson LLP provide counsel and representation in a wide range of legal fields. In more than 50 years of practice, the firm has gained a national and international reputation for vigorous representation of clients before governmental agencies, successful advocacy in litigation and arbitration, and creative and practical advice in guiding business transactions. The firm has offices in London, Brussels, Washington, New York, Phoenix, and Los Angeles.
