Top Environmental Lawyer Named to New York Office Management Committee,
Member of Firm’s Executive Committee
(September 2, 2008, New York City) – LawFuel – Steptoe & Johnson LLP, a pre-eminent international law firm, today announced the addition of Andrew J. Perel as a new partner in its New York office.
Mr. Perel, former Chair of Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft’s Environmental Practice Group, will also become the resident member of the management committee of Steptoe’s New York City office and that office’s representative on the firm’s Executive Committee.
“Andrew is the ‘go to’ environmental lawyer in New York. He is a leader in his field and highly respected nationally. Through his practice, he provides Steptoe with additional entrée into the financial services clients that are the backbone of every New York law firm practice,” said Steve Fennell, head of Steptoe’s Litigation Department. “He has an exceptionally strong regulatory and litigation practice that is aligned with our strengths and strategic direction. His arrival will significantly enhance the firm’s presence and profile in New York and represents an opportunity to greatly expand the firm’s client service, and relationships on a worldwide basis. We are also looking to Andrew to help us grow the New York office, which we feel he is ideally suited to do.”
Mr. Perel represents the who’s who of financial services institutions; his practice spans a wide variety of industries and disciplines, including the representation of Real Estate Investment Trusts, hotel and hospitality firms, the cell tower industry and individual clients in commercial real estate transactions and counseling on a broad range of environmental regulatory, risk management and assessment matters. He often works with insurance companies to negotiate environmental coverage to mitigate risks and, like Steptoe, he has key relationships in the insurance industry. Mr. Perel also litigates environmental lawsuits relating to predecessor and successor liability, and defends clients accused of non-compliance with environmental regulations. His practice is a natural fit with Steptoe’s significant representation of insurance companies and with its top-tier regulatory and litigation practices.
“Steptoe provides an outstanding platform from which to continue to grow my practice,” said Mr. Perel. “I am looking forward to assuming management responsibilities with the firm, and working to further enhance and expand Steptoe’s presence in New York.”
The addition of Mr. Perel to Steptoe’s New York office comes at a time of heightened environmental awareness in every industry and in every facet of legal practice, from real estate transactions to mergers and acquisitions, and all matters involving hazardous waste generation and disposal. “Companies can no longer make plans or move forward without evaluating the environmental impacts of their decisions,” said Mr. Perel. “I’m confident my expertise positions Steptoe to help businesses around the world in making these important environmental assessments and business choices.”
Prior to joining Cadwalader, Mr. Perel was a partner and associate at Rosenman & Colin, and an associate at Riker, Danzig and Adams Duque. A 1986 graduate of Brooklyn Law School, Mr. Perel is a frequent author and lecturer on the topics of real estate structured finance and environmental law. He is co-author of “Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securitization: Key Capital Source for Commercial Real Estate Investment and Development,” published in The Real Estate Finance Journal, and “Environmental Risk Management and the Role of Environmental Insurance,” published in Environmental Quality Management.
About Steptoe & Johnson LLP
With over 500 attorneys, Steptoe & Johnson LLP provides counsel and representation in a wide range of legal fields. In more than 60 years of practice, the firm has gained a national and international reputation for vigorous representation of clients before governmental agencies, successful advocacy in litigation and arbitration, and creative and practical advice in guiding business transactions. The firm has offices in Washington, New York, Chicago, Phoenix, Los Angeles, Century City, London, and Brussels.
For more information, contact Jamie Moss, newsPRos, 201-493-1027
