Steptoe LLP
Founded in Clarksburg, WV in 1913, Steptoe has approximately 428 attorneys across 10 offices.
$225,000+
Market base, no firm announcement (as of Sep 2026)
Not reported: Partnership Track.
Openings
2L Summer 2028 · Class of 2029Opening Soon
Opens
Not announcedDeadline
Not announced
Steptoe pays $225,000+, the same as 159 of the 197 firms that publish pay.
Listed firms by announced first-year comp
| First-Year Comp | Firms |
|---|---|
| Above $225K | 18 |
| $225K | 159 |
| Below $225K | 20 |
Source: firm announcements. 197 listed firms publish a first-year figure.
About Steptoe
Steptoe's international trade work addresses the rules governing business across borders and the proceedings through which those rules are enforced. Its published practice experience includes trade remedies, trade policy, and matters involving the US Department of Commerce and International Trade Commission. This work connects commercial activity with government decision-making.
The firm's trade materials also address economic sanctions, export controls, anti-money laundering compliance, and restrictions affecting defense, dual-use, and nuclear-related products. These areas require attention to what is being traded, the parties involved, and the jurisdictions through which a transaction passes. Advice can involve both preventive compliance and contested proceedings.
For students, Steptoe's trade practice offers a concrete example of legal work at the intersection of business and public policy. A client's commercial plans may depend on regulatory permissions, duties, or restrictions, while disputes can require administrative advocacy and technical industry knowledge. The firm's materials show several distinct legal disciplines within
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that broader cross-border setting.
Rankings
Latest published editions. Each links to its source.
Size and Standing
Associate Life
Pro Bono and Inclusion
- 92.3 hours per lawyerAm Law Pro Bono, 92.3 hours per lawyer: #18 (opens in a new tab)
- Women in Law Scorecard: #14 (opens in a new tab)
- LGBTQ+ Scorecard: #173 (opens in a new tab)
- 2023-24Mansfield, 2023-24: Certified Plus (opens in a new tab)
- VaultInclusion, Vault: #22 (opens in a new tab)
- VaultPeople with Disabilities, Vault: #22 (opens in a new tab)
- VaultWomen, Vault: #22 (opens in a new tab)
Vault Practice Rankings
Practice Strength by Market
Every band below appears on this firm’s Chambers USA 2026 profile, checked September 26, 2026. Where Chambers splits a table into The Elite and Highly Regarded, every Elite firm ranks above every Highly Regarded firm.
Scroll sideways to see recognition.
| Practice | Market | Recognition, 2026 |
|---|---|---|
Energy: Electricity (Regulatory & Litigation) | Nationwide | Band 1 |
Insurance: Dispute Resolution: Insurer | Nationwide | Band 1 |
Insurance: Insurer | District of Columbia | Band 1 |
International Trade: Export Controls & Economic SanctionsThe Elite | Nationwide | Band 1 |
Litigation: White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations | District of Columbia | Band 1 |
Transportation: Rail (for Railroads) | Nationwide | Band 1 |
Energy: Oil & Gas (Regulatory & Litigation) | Nationwide | Band 2 |
Insurance: Dispute Resolution: Insurer | New York | Band 2 |
International Trade: Trade Remedies & Trade Policy | Nationwide | Band 2 |
Litigation: White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations | Texas | Band 2 |
Political Law | Nationwide | Band 2 |
Artificial Intelligence | Nationwide | Band 3 |
Government Relations: Federal | Nationwide | Band 3 |
Litigation: White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations | Illinois | Band 3 |
Tax | District of Columbia | Band 3 |
Telecom, Broadcast & Satellite | District of Columbia | Band 3 |
Corporate Crime & InvestigationsThe Elite | Nationwide | Band 4 |
Intellectual Property | Illinois | Band 4 |
International Trade: CFIUS Experts | Nationwide | Band 4 |
Litigation: General Commercial | Texas: Houston & Surrounds | Band 4 |
Retail | Nationwide | Band 4 |
Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation | District of Columbia | Band 5 |
FCPA | Nationwide | Band 5 |
Intellectual Property: Patent | New York | Band 5 |
Litigation: White-Collar Crime & Government InvestigationsThe Elite | New York | Band 5 |
Tax: Controversy | Nationwide | Band 5 |
Tax: Corporate & Finance | Nationwide | Band 5 |
Government ContractsHighly Regarded | Nationwide | Band 1 |
Litigation: General CommercialHighly Regarded | District of Columbia | Band 1 |
Litigation: General CommercialHighly Regarded | Nationwide | Band 1 |
International ArbitrationHighly Regarded | Nationwide | Band 2 |
Litigation: General CommercialHighly Regarded | New York | Band 4 |
32 reported ranking rows
Facts verified by BigLaw Bear, narrative by the firm. Figures carry a source link where we hold one; prose is Steptoe’s own.
Firm Highlights
Summer Program
Pro Bono
- Average Hours Per Attorney
- 92.3 hoursAm Law pro bono rank #18
Schools Steptoe Hires From
3 schools name Steptoe on its own employer or placement pages. These lists are not exhaustive.