Stephan Becker > Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP > Washington DC, United States > Lawyer Profile

Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman, LLP boasts an expert international arbitration team, with expertise split between commercial and investor-state disputes. A raft of clients including governments, investors, and commercial entities rely on the expertise of the practice, that is skilled at appearing before all major arbitration bodies. The firm stands out for its expertise in construction and infrastructure disputes, particularly linked to the energy sector, having notably recently acted for a leading energy company in an ICSID arbitration related to a major refinery expansion in Columbia. Based in Houston, Richard Deutsch leads the practice, along with Washington DC-based Michael Jaffe, and Derek Soller in New York. Derrick Carson joined the practice from Troutman Pepper Locke LLP from September 2024. In New York, Robert Sills and June Yeum are key names, while Stephan Becker is key in the DC office.

Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP export control/sanctions practice, 13 strong, offers a variety of services to a client base that spans a range of sectors including aviation, nuclear, technology, and defense. The team provides an encompassing, global view of sanctions and export control issues, with the ability to handle queries out of multiple jurisdictions. With a notable strength in the aerospace field, driven by Stephan Becker, the team represents significant companies on licensing, compliance, and enforcement matters. Christopher Wall focuses his practice on export controls and foreign investments whilst Nancy Fischer is an expert in sanctions compliance and litigation. Aaron Hutman, Matthew Rabinowitz, and Benjamin Cote are also key members of the Washington DC-based team.

Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP‘s multidisciplinary National Security team provides a range of clients with the guidance and representation needed to comply with policies, mitigate against challenges, and grow their businesses. The team has experience across a range of practices including CFIUS, supply chain, export controls, customs, and sanctions. Nancy Fischer co-heads the practice, and coordinates the Regulatory Business Unit, which advises corporates on a range of regulations, conducts internal investigations, and defends against enforcement action. Stephan Becker, described by a client as ‘the best trade counsel in business right now’, has a broad range of trade advisory capabilities including export controls, sanctions, and CFIUS. Brian Finch has a deep understanding of cybersecurity issues which allows him to offer clients cyberattacks and ransomware response services. Richard Donoghue, based in New York, represents clients who are facing government investigations. Aaron Hutman is a key member with an intricate knowledge of national security-sensitive issues. All named lawyers are based in Washington DC, unless stated otherwise.

Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP‘s International Trade team boasts a strong global presence with offices in Washington, D.C., London, Beijing, Shanghai, and Tokyo. The firm is involved in trade remedy and policy matters, advising on complex issues such as WTO and NAFTA litigation, nuclear energy security, and U.S. government reviews, including the impact of Russian sanctions on nuclear fuel supply. The firm is capable of advising on emerging issues like the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act and the intersection of trade disputes, customs, and supply chain regulations. Stephan Becker leads the International Trade practice, with extensive experience in international dispute settlement, representing clients such as the Governments of Mexico and New Brunswick in complex trade remedy and investment arbitration matters. Nancy Fischer handles litigation matters relating to AD/CVD duties. Aaron Hutman and Benjamin Cote are important members of the team. All named lawyers are based in Washington DC. In a significant move, highly experienced trade practitioners Dan Porter and Matt McCullough joined the team in March 2025, arriving from Curtis, Mallet-Prevost, Colt & Mosle LLP.