08/09/10

Ambassador Alexis Lautenberg Joins International Law Firm Steptoe & Johnson LLP

International law firm Steptoe & Johnson LLP today announced that Alexis Lautenberg, recently retired from the Swiss diplomatic corps, will join the firm's Brussels office on 15 September. With more than 35 years of experience in European affairs, of Mr. Lautenberg strengthens the firm's Brussels team of 20 lawyers and scientists, led by Swiss attorney Jean Russotto.

Steptoe & Johnson LLP is headquartered in Washington, DC and has more than 500 lawyers practicing in nine offices in the United States, Europe, and China. For more than 40 years, the attorneys in the Brussels office have advised clients primarily in European law matters. The office's main areas of practice are financial services and insurance, environment and life sciences, energy, competition/antitrust, and trade.

Mr. Lautenberg is widely recognized for his knowledge of European affairs. He headed the Swiss Mission to the European Union (1993 to 1999) and then served as Swiss Ambassador to Italy (1999 to 2004) and to the United Kingdom (2004 to 2010) prior to leaving the diplomatic service in July 2010.

Following an outstanding career in the Swiss diplomatic corps, Mr. Lautenberg will continue his activities as a political and economic advisor at Steptoe. He will advise the firm's clients based on his in-depth knowledge of the workings of the European Union and its Member States at a time when world economies and financial institutions are experiencing tremendous structural and regulatory upheaval.

Mr. Lautenberg said, "I am certain that my new role at Steptoe will allow me to utilize fully my experience and professional interests which have motivated me throughout my career. I look forward to undertaking specific and significant mandates and to contribute my knowledge in areas such as financial services and energy law."

Jean Russotto, Managing Partner of Steptoe's Brussels office, said, "We are pleased to welcome Alexis and look forward to offering our clients enhanced services based on his broad experience, much of which has been acquired during multiple complex international negotiations."

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