The 23-strong team in Steptoe UK LLP's London office routinely represents states and investors in a range of arbitrations. The group also acts for governments in cases before the WTO Appellate Body; and it is additionally experienced in state immunity laws, anti-corruption legislation, economic sanctions, and advising energy and mining companies on their international legal rights. Practice head Matthew Coleman is a well-known specialist in claims against African states; Christophe Bondy is a highly-rated investment treaty specialist; and Thomas Innes' track record includes International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea proceedings. Juliya Arbisman departed the firm in January 2024.
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Client satisfaction
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘The team has trade law expertise in-house, which makes it really efficient.’
‘It's clear that they develop talent and that the team has depth and coherence. They can handle volume and a wide range of matters.’
‘Christophe Bondy has a terrific grasp of the big picture, as well as the technical aspects of public law and EU law.’
‘Christophe Bondy’s advice on WTO law and domestic implementation in several jurisdictions are reliably insightful and pragmatic.’
‘Christophe Bondy applies his exceptional intellectual and language skills to helping his clients understand their options. These are informed by hands-on experience in working for sophisticated state players, which is invaluable.’
‘Christophe Bondy saves clients time and effort, and he keeps up with innovations in trade law practice.’
Key clients
- The European Union
- Pennyroyal
- Vercara
- Nacato
- Symbio Infrastructure
- Koch Supply & Trading
- Koch Industries
- West African Aquaculture
- The von Pezold family
- Border Timbers
Work highlights
- Serving as external counsel to the European Union in the Nord Stream 2 investment treaty claim under the Energy Charter Treaty, which arises out of the application of European competition rules to the ownership and operation of a multibillion-dollar pipeline.
- Acting for investors in respect of an investment dispute with Tanzania, which concerns alleged breaches of two bilateral investment treaties.
- Acting for a US technology company in an investor-state dispute against Colombia, which arises from measures taken by Colombia in relation to Neustar’s investment in the .CO internet domain.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Next generation partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Practice head
Matthew Coleman
Other key lawyers
Christophe Bondy; Thomas Innes; Alexandre Genest