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Steve Rowles, Business Attorney in San Diego, California

San Diego, CA

Trusted business attorney serving San Diego.

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Quick answer

Steve Rowles is an attorney based in San Diego, CALIFORNIA. The practice focuses on Business.

Based in
San Diego, CALIFORNIA
Experience
attorney
Known for
Business
  • Handles Business matters from San Diego, CALIFORNIA.
  • Recognized with Lawyer of the Year — Corporate Governance Law (San Diego) (2026).

About Steve Rowles: Steve Rowles is an attorney based in San Diego, CALIFORNIA. The practice focuses on Business.

Areas of practice

Steve's practice areas in San Diego

Steve concentrates on business. Each area below outlines the kind of case Steve handles, typical outcomes to expect, and how the intake process starts.

Business cases in San Diego, California

Steve takes business matters in San Diego, California. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before Steve agrees to represent you.

Biography

Steve Rowles, business attorney serving San Diego

Steve Rowles is an attorney based in San Diego, CALIFORNIA. The practice focuses on Business. Steve works from San Diego, California and takes on business matters across the region.

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.

How Steve handles business matters

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…

The kind of cases Steve takes

Steve reviews new inquiries case-by-case for business matters in San Diego and the surrounding California area.

Credentials

Credentials — where Steve studied and practices

  • Northwestern University

    BA

Jurisdictions

Steve's state bar admissions

  • California, The Stat

    ACTIVE

Steve studied at BA in Northwestern University.

Law school and academic background

Steve completed BA in Northwestern University. Formal legal training is one signal of substantive knowledge — the day-to-day practice Steve runs in California is where that training gets applied to real client questions.

Recognition

Steve's legal honors and published work

Steve has received 10 formal recognitions from bar associations, industry bodies, and peer-review services.

  • Lawyer of the Year — Corporate Governance Law (San Diego)

    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

  • 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

Legal awards and honors

Lawyer of the Year — Corporate Governance Law (San Diego) (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). Best Lawyers in America — Corporate Compliance Law (2026). Best Lawyers in America — Corporate Governance Law (2026).

Locations

Steve Rowles's office in San Diego

Steve's primary office is at 12531 High Bluff Drive, Suite 200, San Diego, California, 12531. In-person meetings are by appointment; a phone intake usually comes first.

Main office

12531 High Bluff Drive, Suite 200

San Diego, California 12531

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Client feedback

Client reviews of Steve Rowles

Steve has not yet collected verified client reviews on LawyersListed. Reviews here are all from confirmed clients; anonymous ratings are moderated out.

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Hiring guide

How to hire Steve Rowles — what to expect in your first consultation

Working with a new business attorney should feel structured. Here's how the first two conversations with Steve usually go, from the moment you request a consult to the day representation begins.

Consultation formats and pricing

Steve charges for the initial consult. That fee is credited toward representation if you retain Steve's office.

What to bring to your first meeting

Bring any documents you already have — police reports, medical records, filed pleadings, correspondence from an insurer, a copy of the contract at issue. If you're not sure, err on the side of bringing everything; Steve will tell you what matters and what doesn't.

Questions to ask a business attorney in San Diego, California

A short list to run through before you commit: How many business matters have you handled in the last year? What's your fee structure? Who else in the office will work on this? What's your realistic estimate of timeline and range of outcomes? How do I reach you between meetings?

Fees & payment

Fees, payment methods, and consultation options for Steve

Steve discusses fees during intake so the arrangement fits the matter. Contingency, hourly, and flat-fee options are all common in business practice — ask which fits.

Hourly rates, contingency fees, and flat-fee options

Every business matter is priced differently. Simple document review might be a flat fee. Injury litigation is often contingency. Complex commercial disputes usually run hourly with a retainer. Steve confirms the model in the engagement letter before any work starts.

Payment methods and payment plans

Steve's office accepts standard payment methods. Ask about payment plans if the retainer is a stretch — many business practices work with clients on structured schedules.

Frequently asked

Frequently asked questions about Steve Rowles

  • How much does it cost to hire Steve for a business case?

    Cost depends on the type of matter, the fee model (contingency, flat, hourly), and how contested the case becomes. Steve walks through the likely range during the consult so there are no surprises.

  • Does Steve offer a free consultation?

    Steve charges for the initial consult; that fee is credited toward representation if you retain Steve's office. Some business attorneys offer free consults — check Steve's current terms during booking.

  • How long do business cases in California typically take?

    Simple business matters can wrap in a few weeks; disputed cases can run 6–18 months from intake to resolution, longer if the matter goes to trial. Steve gives a realistic estimate for your facts at the consult — vague answers here are a red flag.

  • Can Steve take my case if I'm outside San Diego?

    Steve is licensed in California. Matters governed by California law are the natural fit. Out-of-state matters are handled case-by-case, sometimes with local co-counsel. Ask during intake — Steve will tell you if the case is a fit or refer you to someone closer to your court.

  • What should I bring to my first meeting with Steve?

    Bring every document that touches the dispute: contracts, correspondence, police or medical reports, filed pleadings, invoices, photographs, insurance letters. Also bring a written timeline of what happened, in your own words. Steve will filter what matters — over-preparing at intake is always cheaper than needing a second meeting.

  • Is Steve accepting new business clients right now?

    Steve's intake status shifts week to week. Submit the form; the office will confirm availability or refer the matter out.

Areas served

Business attorneys serving San Diego, Los Angeles and San Francisco in California

Steve handles business matters throughout California. Each city below is a direct link into the search page for verified business attorneys in that community.

More counsel

If Steve's intake is full or the fit isn't right, these business attorneys in San Diego handle similar matters. Every profile below is verified and open to consultations.