BIOGRAPHY
James E. Rocap, III
James E. (“Jim”) Rocap, III is the current President of the Historical Society of the
District of Columbia Circuit and Senior Counsel at Steptoe, LLP in Washington, D.C. Jim was
born February 23, 1950 in Indianapolis, Indiana, where he grew up. Jim attended the University
of Notre Dame, graduating in 1971 with a major in Theology. After spending a year in Eastern
Kentucky as a volunteer in an Appalachian-centered poverty assistance project, Jim attended
Georgetown University Law Center, graduating in 1975.
In 1975-1976, Jim clerked for Chief Judge William B. Jones of the United States District
Court for the District of Columbia. In 1976, he joined Miller, Cassidy, Larroca & Lewin
(“MCLL”) as an associate, becoming a partner in 1981. MCLL at that time was a small
“boutique” firm devoted to complex commercial litigation and specializing in white collar
criminal defense. MCLL merged with Baker Botts LLP in 2001. Jim left Baker Botts in April
2004 to join Steptoe LLP (then known as Steptoe & Johnson LLP) as a partner, where he
specialized in litigating major insurance coverage disputes until 2024. He also chaired Steptoe’s
pro bono program for 18 years. Jim became a Senior Counsel at Steptoe in 2023. In addition to
the Historical Society, Jim devotes his time as Board President and volunteer attorney for the
Washington Legal Clinic for Homeless, represents pro bono clients at Steptoe, and serves as
Secretary of the D.C. Access to Justice Foundation.
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