Steven P. Finizio

Competent in arbitration, but communication could be more consistent

I engaged Steven Finizio and the team at WilmerHale in Austin to assist with a complex cross-border commercial dispute that was headed for arbitration. My company, based in Europe, was in a contractual disagreement with a U.S. partner, and the matter had significant financial implications. Mr. Finizio's recognized expertise in international arbitration was a primary reason for our selection, and his decade of experience was evident in his strategic approach to the case. He demonstrated a solid grasp of the procedural nuances and helped construct a reasonable argument. However, the experience was a mixed bag. While the substantive legal work was sound, the day-to-day communication was sometimes lacking. There were periods where responses to emails took longer than expected, and updates on case developments felt reactive rather than proactive. For a firm of this caliber and the associated fees, I had anticipated a more consistently attentive client experience. The arbitration itself was handled professionally, and we achieved an acceptable settlement. Mr. Finizio is clearly knowledgeable, particularly in his areas of recognition, but the administrative and client service aspects of our engagement felt merely adequate, which is why my overall rating is average. I would describe him as a capable attorney, though one should be prepared to manage expectations around communication cadence.