WASHINGTON, March 14, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Steptoe is pleased to announce that Markham Erickson, who brings more than 20 years of experience in Internet law and policy, has joined the firm as a partner in the Telecom, Internet & Media practice.  He will be resident in the firm's Washington office.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130314/PH77370 )

Mr. Erickson has helped form two leading Internet coalitions.  He serves as general counsel to The Internet Association, a trade association that represents many of the leading Internet companies in the United States.  In addition, he serves as lead counsel to a coalition of Internet and technology firms that promotes open Internet rules.  He has also represented the U.S. government before the Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development on matters relating to speech and content regulation on the Internet.

Mr. Erickson has played an integral role in formulating many of the federal laws that govern e-commerce, technology and the use of the Internet including the Internet Gambling Act, the Digital Millennium Copyright Act, the CAN-SPAM Act, the Trademark Dilution Act, the USA Patriot Act, the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act, the Communications Decency Act, the Dot Kids Act, and the Trademark Anticounterfeiting Act.

In welcoming Mr. Erickson, Steptoe Chair Roger Warin remarked:  "Markham has devoted his legal career to representing Internet and other technology companies, frequently in coalitions formed to press their cause at the FCC, the FTC, or on Capitol Hill.  His depth of knowledge on Internet matters will greatly complement our existing team, which includes Stewart Baker and Michael Vatis, two of the foremost authorities on cybersecurity."

Pantelis Michalopoulos, head of the Telecommunications, Internet and Media Group, remarked:  "Markham has been a creative and articulate champion of the Internet industry since before it was known to many as an industry.  With the addition of Markham, Steptoe covers the gamut of any telecom or Internet company's sophisticated legal, legislative, and regulatory needs."

On joining Steptoe, Mr. Erickson commented:  "Steptoe has a strong reputation for its telecom and Internet practice.  It also has a large and well-regarded litigation team and international presence, which will provide me with the opportunity to expand the scope of my work for my existing clients."

Mr. Erickson earned his law degree with honors from The George Washington University and his B.A. from Wheaton College.  He serves as chair of the American Bar Association's (ABA) Intellectual Property and Legislation Committee.  He also is a member of the ABA's Section on Administrative Law and Regulatory Policy and Intellectual Property Law, and the Federal Communications Bar Association.

About Steptoe

Steptoe & Johnson LLP is an international law firm widely recognized for vigorous advocacy in complex litigation and arbitration, successful representation of clients before governmental agencies, and creative and practical advice in guiding business transactions.  The firm has more than 500 lawyers and other professionals in offices in Beijing, Brussels, Century City, Chicago, London, Los Angeles, New York, Phoenix and Washington.  For more information, visit www.steptoe.com.

SOURCE Steptoe & Johnson LLP