Overview
(February 21, 2024, Chicago) –Steptoe LLP is pleased to announce that Crain's Chicago Business has named Steptoe partners Rachel Cannon, Stacie Hartman, and Katherine Tellez to its 2024 list of Notable Women in Law. The editors note that this year's list of over 140 lawyers speaks to the rising influence of women in the legal field, representing almost every major firm and type of practice. They serve as mentors and guiding lights for other women in their firms and bring their skills to their communities and nonprofits outside the office.
Cannon is a partner in Steptoe’s White-Collar Defense practice. One of her biggest wins in the last five years involved helping a client secure the dismissal of high-profile federal charges against him. Cannon engaged in a multi-year court battle and designed a creative legal and factual strategy to combat the complicated charges. She also devotes a significant amount of time and resources to enriching her community through her pro bono efforts and serving on multiple charitable boards, including the board of the Chicago Bar Foundation and the Women’s Boards of the Art Institute of Chicago and the Joffrey Ballet. She also devotes her time to teaching at Northwestern Law School and to participating in civic activities through the Economic Club of Chicago.
Hartman is Chair of Steptoe’s Financial Services group, comprised of more than 80 lawyers across ten offices. An accomplished defense lawyer and first-chair trial lawyer and litigator, she leads cases in proceedings before the CFTC, SEC, FINRA, NFA, and financial exchanges, and in investigations by the DOJ, including helping her clients avoid prosecution altogether. Demonstrating her skills as a trial lawyer even outside the financial markets, she co-led a team securing a $64 million jury verdict against one of the largest tire manufacturers in the country. As Vice Chair of the ABA’s Derivatives Law Committee, Global Deputy Vice-Chair for the Women’s White Collar Defense Association, and Chair of Steptoe’s Women’s Forum, Hartman has connected numerous women lawyers to clients and others, and given them more visibility and opportunities. Outside the law, she co-chairs ADL’s National Commission and serves on ADL Midwest’s Executive Council, and also on Joffrey Ballet’s Women’s Board.
Tellez is a partner in Steptoe’s Intellectual Property practice. One of her biggest wins in the last five years involved a recent $4 million jury verdict in a patent case, the culmination of a nine-year battle between two competitors. The success solidifies her ability to handle complex and highly scrutinized patent law issues with resilience on behalf of clients. She is committed to the advancement of women in law, particularly in patent litigation, both personally and professionally. Tellez actively mentors associates and spends significant time recruiting summer and lateral associates. She also serves as the Vice President for the Coalition of Women’s Initiatives in Law in Chicago. Tellez focuses her pro bono work on adoption matters for Chicago Volunteer Legal Services, successfully obtaining judgment of adoption for numerous Chicago-area children.
View the full list of Notable Women in Law 2024 at Crain’s Chicago Business (subscription may be required).
About Steptoe
In more than 110 years of practice, Steptoe has earned an international reputation for vigorous representation of clients before governmental agencies, successful advocacy in litigation and arbitration, and creative and practical advice in structuring business transactions. Steptoe has more than 500 lawyers and other professional staff across offices in Beijing, Brussels, Chicago, Hong Kong, Houston, London, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, and Washington. For more information, visit www.steptoe.com.
The diversity of the firm is a critical factor in its success. The firm’s chair is a woman; the majority of the firm’s elected executive committee is female; the majority of Steptoe's ten offices are managed by women; and the majority of Steptoe’s practice groups have women as leaders. The firm's six-person professional business services leadership is equally diverse, with two women of color, and other leaders who openly identify as LGBTQ+.
