Steptoe & Johnson’s Head of Tax, Phil West, promoted to Chairman

 In steptoe johnson

Steptoe & Johnson LLP has announced that Phil West has assumed the leadership of the firm, becoming chair of Steptoe’s executive committee effective January 1, 2014.

Mr. West succeeds Roger Warin, who served as chair for a decade and who has now been named chair emeritus, an honor befitting a long-time chairman in recognition of his tremendous contributions to the firm.  Steptoe’s partners have also re-elected Phil Malet as vice-chair of the executive committee.

Mr. West, who heads the firm’s Tax Group and is widely recognized as one of the premier international tax lawyers in the country, first joined Steptoe in 1993 as of counsel.  After serving in the government for four years, including three years as the Treasury Department’s senior international tax lawyer, he rejoined the firm as a partner in 2002.  He has been actively involved in Steptoe’s management over the past decade, and has served on the firm’s executive committee, as well as a number of other firm committees.

“Phil has a keen intellect, excellent judgment, and a native sense of fairness,” said Mr. Warin.  “I am confident that I have left the firm in good hands.”

From March 1997 to October 2000, Mr. West served as the Treasury Department’s international tax counsel.  In that position, he oversaw every important policy, legislative, and regulatory development in the international tax area, and led tax treaty negotiations, discussions, and ratification efforts involving numerous countries, including the United States’ closest trading partners.  At Treasury, Mr. West also led the US delegation to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), playing a pivotal role in policy decision making by 29 of the world’s largest countries on some of the most important tax issues of the time.

Since returning to Steptoe more than a decade ago, Mr. West has built a marquee practice that focuses primarily on international tax issues for both domestic and foreign clients.  Described as a “heavy hitter” and a “truly elite tax practitioner” in recent issues of the legal directoriesChambers USA and The Legal 500, Mr. West has authored some of the most influential tax articles and regularly speaks to both professional and academic audiences on international and domestic tax subjects.

“I am truly honored and humbled that the firm’s partners have asked me to serve as chair of the firm.  Roger has been a terrific leader over the past decade and has guided the firm through several expansions as well as through one of the toughest economic periods the legal industry has ever experienced.  I am looking forward to building on Roger’s success and to continuing his tradition of leadership that has served the firm and our clients,” said Mr. West.

During Mr. Warin’s tenure as chairman, Steptoe significantly expanded its footprint, opening new offices in New York, Century City, Chicago and Beijing.  Mr. Warin will continue to serve on the firm’s executive committee and at Mr. West’s request will act as an ambassador-at-large to some of the firm’s most important clients.  He will also work with the insurance litigation group to help map the future direction of that practice, and will continue his role with significant lateral recruits.  Along with serving as chair emeritus, Mr. Warin will continue practicing law as a full-time partner.

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