Christopher Slaughter Elected CEO

BRIDGEPORT, W.Va. – Christopher L. Slaughter has been elected the next CEO of Steptoe & Johnson PLLC.  Slaughter takes over the position on July 1, 2020. He succeeds Susan S. Brewer, who became CEO in 2009. Brewer will remain with the firm to assist with the leadership transition and lead some important firm projects.

“I am honored to be elected to this position by my partners. I look forward to carrying on our tradition of excellent client service and upholding the core values that have sustained Steptoe & Johnson for 107 years,” said Slaughter. “I began a virtual listening tour earlier this year to find out what our people have to say about our culture, prospects, and strategies for improving services. I am learning so much by simply listening and will make these lessons the foundation for my work as CEO.”

He continued, “I am grateful to Susan Brewer for her strong leadership over the last 12 years and for her guidance as I take on this new role.”

“Susan made history as the first female CEO of a major West Virginia-based law firm and created initiatives to make diversity and inclusion a top priority. Women now lead three of our four practice departments, and four of our seven administrative departments. Under Susan’s leadership, the firm experienced tremendous growth beyond its West Virginia roots, more than doubling in size and expanding across six states. She led us to become a national firm with core strengths in energy, labor and employment, litigation, and complex transactions. She guided us through good times and was a pillar of strength during uncertain times. Everyone in the Steptoe & Johnson family is grateful for her leadership.”

Slaughter’s career as a labor and employment attorney at Steptoe & Johnson began more than twenty years ago. His practice is focused on counseling and litigation. He advises clients on labor negotiations, contract administration, and structural changes that impact employment. Slaughter represents employers when they are faced with litigation pertaining to labor and employment issues before the National Labor Relations Board, arbitrators, state and federal courts, and agencies. He is a past managing member of the firm’s Huntington, West Virginia, office and was elected to multiple terms on the firm’s executive committee.

Slaughter is named among The Best Lawyers in America and Chambers USA America’s Leading Lawyers for Business. He is a fellow of both the West Virginia Bar Foundation and the American College of Labor and Employment Lawyers. Slaughter has served his community through leadership positions in his church and with organizations dedicated to the arts and economic development. He is a member of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Labor Policy Committee.

Slaughter earned his law degree from the University of Kentucky and his bachelor’s degree from Marshall University.

About Steptoe & Johnson

Steptoe & Johnson PLLC is a law firm nationally recognized for its strengths in energy law with more than a century of know-how in the areas of business, labor and employment, and litigation. Steptoe & Johnson has 270 attorneys practicing in 14 offices in Colorado, Kentucky, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, and West Virginia. Visit us at www.steptoe-johnson.com and connect with us on Twitter and LinkedIn.