Atty. Steve Rowles

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.

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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). Serands clients in San Diego, CA and the surrounding metropolitan area.

Verified attorney profile · Updated June 2026

About

  • 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 Practice

Each practice area below reflects the types of cases Steve Rowles handles, with a brief overview of what that area of law covers.

Business & Corporate Law

Business attorneys advise founders and growing companies on entity formation, contracts, financing, M&A, and dispute resolution.

Steve Rowles is one of 501,317 business attorneys indexed nationally. Browse business attorneys in California →

Jurisdictional Context

Why local counsel matters in California

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 andnue, 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.

Looking for additional California attorneys? Browse all attorneys in San Diego or all attorneys in California.

Frequently Asked

Common questions about Steve Rowles

Where is Steve Rowles's law office located?
Steve Rowles's law practice is located in San Diego, California. The firm is Morrison Foerster. You can contact the office directly through this profile page.
What practice areas does Steve Rowles handle?
Steve Rowles focuses on business. Each practice area listed reflects experience handling cases of that type in California.
Where did Steve Rowles go to law school?
Steve Rowles earned their education at (BA).
How can I contact Steve Rowles for a consultation?
You can contact Steve Rowles directly through this profile page. Click "Ask the Attorney" to submit a question, or "Schedule a Consultation" to book a meeting. Most claimed-profile attorneys respond within one business day.
What awards or recognition has Steve Rowles received?
Steve Rowles's notable recognition includes: Lawyer of the Year — Corporate Governance Law (San Diego); Best Lawyers in America — Corporate Compliance Law; Best Lawyers in America — Corporate Governance Law; Best Lawyers in America — Corporate Law; Best Lawyers in America — Venture Capital Law.

Education

BA
Northwestern University
- In Progress

Awards

Lawyer of the Year — Corporate Governance Law (San Diego)
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Corporate Compliance Law
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Corporate Governance Law
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Corporate Law
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Venture Capital Law
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Additional Areas of Practice:
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Mergers and Acquisitions Law
- 2026
Lawyer of the Year — Corporate Governance Law (San Diego)
- 2024
Lawyer of the Year — Corporate Governance Law (San Diego)
- 2022
Lawyer of the Year — Corporate Governance Law (San Diego)
- 2017

Bar Admissions

California, The State Bar of California

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