Atty. Steve Rowles
Mr. Rowles is Chair of the San Diego Corporate Group and former co-chair of the firm’s Emerging Company Venture Capital Group and Private Equity Fund Formation Group.
Corporate Compliance Law & More Attorney · Serving San Diego, CA
Profile Summary
About Steve Rowles at a Glance
Steve Rowles is a business attorney based in San Diego, California, practicing at Morrison Foerster. Admitted to practice in California, The State Bar of California. Educated at Northwestern University (BA). Recognitions include Lawyer of the Year — Corporate Governance Law (San Diego) (2026), Best Lawyers in America — Corporate Compliance Law (2026), and Best Lawyers in America — Corporate Governance Law (2026). Serves clients in San Diego, CA and the surrounding metropolitan area.
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About Steve Rowles
- Mr. Rowles is Chair of the San Diego Corporate Group and former co-chair of the firm’s Emerging Company Venture Capital Group and Private Equity Fund Formation Group
- He has practiced in San Diego for over 20 years and has a wealth of experience as corporate counsel to public and private companies, and the venture capital and private equity funds that invest in those companies
- Mr. Rowles has extensive industry experience in telecommunications, software, internet, semiconductors, entertainment, clean technology, medical devices, biotechnology, consumer and healthcare services
- Mr. Rowles regularly handles and supervises venture capital financings for both companies and investors, fund formation, public securities offerings and corporate governance counseling, mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures and other strategic and commercial partnering transactions
- Mr. Rowles has served as lead counsel on myriad mergers and acquisitions and securities transactions, including public offerings aggregating in excess of $1 billion dollars in proceeds and over 100 acquisition transactions
- Mr. Rowles was a member of Phi Beta Kappa at Northwestern University and was elected to the Order of the Coif at Boalt Hall School of Law
- Mr. Rowles is active on behalf of Children’s Hospital and the American Heart Association and serves on the Board of Directors for CommNexus San Diego
Practice Areas Explained
Steve Rowles's Areas of Legal Practice
Each practice area below reflects the types of cases Steve Rowles handles, with a practical overview of what that area of law involves and how it may apply to your situation in San Diego.
Business & Corporate Law in San Diego
Business attorneys advise founders and growing companies on entity formation, contracts, financing, M&A, and dispute resolution.
Steve Rowles is one of 497,491 business attorneys indexed nationally. Browse business attorneys in California →
Jurisdictional Context
Why Local Counsel Matters in San Diego
Practicing law in California. Legal matters in California are governed by state-specific rules of civil and criminal procedure, statutes of limitations, and substantive law. Cases originating in San Diego are typically filed in the local municipal court or the appropriate California state district court, depending on subject matter and amount in controversy. An attorney licensed in California brings working knowledge of local procedural deadlines, judicial practices in this venue, and the substantive law that applies to cases brought here. Out-of-state attorneys generally cannot represent clients in California courts without local counsel or pro hac vice admission.
San Diego Courts and Legal Process
Choosing a San Diego-based attorney means your counsel already knows the local docketing timelines, preferred filing formats, and how individual judges typically rule on procedural motions — details that only come from practicing in this jurisdiction day after day. That local familiarity can translate to better strategy, faster filings, and fewer costly surprises.
Looking for additional California attorneys? Browse all attorneys in San Diego or all attorneys in California.
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Common Questions About Steve Rowles
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Professional Profile
Why Clients in San Diego Choose Steve Rowles
Selecting an attorney is one of the most consequential decisions you can make when a legal matter arises. Below are the core qualities that distinguish Steve Rowles's practice in the field of business.
Focused Business Practice
Concentrating on business means Steve Rowles's knowledge of relevant statutes, case law, and procedural nuances stays current — unlike generalist practices that spread attention across unrelated fields.
Local Presence in San Diego
A San Diego-based practice means Steve Rowles attends hearings in the same courthouses, knows the local clerks, and understands the unwritten scheduling norms that affect every case filed here.
Case Types
Common Legal Issues Steve Rowles Handles in San Diego
Below is a representative sample of the types of matters Steve Rowles has experience with under California law. If your situation involves one of these case categories, this attorney may be well positioned to help you understand your options.
This list is illustrative, not exhaustive. Contact Steve Rowles directly to discuss the specifics of your situation.
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How People Find Steve Rowles Online
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Steve Rowles's Practice Areas & Specializations
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