Former federal prosecutor Evan Barr and experienced local litigator J…

Former federal prosecutor Evan Barr and experienced local litigator John Lovi join
the firm as partners

WASHINGTON, D.C., January 11, 2005 – LAWFUEL – The Law News Network – Steptoe & Johnson today announced the opening of a New York office in Manhattan and that local attorneys Evan Barr and John Lovi have joined the firm as partners there.

The firm has already established a strong presence in New York as a result of
representations in high-profile white collar criminal defense cases, insurance and
commercial litigation engagements. Steptoe’s national white collar practice, headed
by Reid Weingarten, is frequently drawn to New York in high-stakes financial fraud
and white-collar prosecutions. The New York office, located at 750 Seventh Avenue,
will permit Weingarten to be located in New York on a part time basis as he and
partner Mark Hulkower, a former Assistant U.S. Attorney, develop local strength and
capabilities in this growing practice. Their representations include the successful
defense of former Teamsters President Ron Carey, recently acquitted former general
counsel of Tyco International Mark Belnick, and World Com co-founder Bernie Ebbers,
whose fraud and conspiracy trial is set to begin this month.

Steptoe’s successes in New York go beyond the white-collar practice. For three
years, Steptoe litigators Howard Stahl and Steve Davidson have successfully
represented Motorola in federal trial and appellate courts in New York in a suit
that resulted in a $2 billion judgment against the Uzan family, the principal owners
of Telsim, one of Turkey’s largest cell phone companies. In addition, Steptoe’s
representation of insurance and financial services clients in New York goes back
more than a decade.

“This is not a spur of the moment decision, nor is it driven by any single event;
rather it is a decision that is well-aligned with our clients’ needs, the firm’s
strategic growth plan, and our core strengths in litigation, federal regulation, and
international business” says Steptoe managing partner, Roger Warin, who noted that
the firm has been evaluating an expansion into New York City for some time. “Over
the months and years ahead, we plan to add substantially to our New York base,”
added Mr. Warin.

John Lovi’s practice focuses on securities, derivatives and broker-dealer
litigation. He has been involved in high-profile securities cases, including the
Orange County bankruptcy and recent international disputes involving failed
derivative swap transactions in Korea. In joining Steptoe from McDermott Will and
Emery, Lovi noted “I have the highest regard for McDermott Will and my former
colleagues at the firm. Steptoe’s excellent litigation, international, and
financial regulatory practices presented a great opportunity for me to continue to
build my practice and provide top-notch service to clients in the U.S. and abroad.”

Earlier this month Lovi was joined by Evan Barr, former Assistant US Attorney and
Chief of the Major Crimes Unit of the US Attorney’s office. Barr has supervised 25
prosecutors in the financial crimes unit in the US Attorney’s office for the
Southern District of New York and was an associate at Steptoe prior to his
government service. Barr commented, “I am excited to be re-joining Steptoe, which
has established itself as one of the premier litigation and white collar defense
firms in the country.”

Barr and Lovi join Steptoe litigation and bankruptcy partner, Greg Yates, who
relocated to New York in late 2004.

Steptoe’s initial focus in New York will be white collar defense and criminal
investigations, insurance, mass tort, bankruptcy and commercial litigation. The New
York office will also call on numerous disciplines in Steptoe’s five other offices
to fulfill client needs.

For more information, contact Steptoe & Johnson Chairman Roger Warin.

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