Steve Rowles

Steve Rowles

San Diego, CA recognized lawyers icon Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2012
Morrison Foerster

84 Best Lawyers awards

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Awarded Practice Areas

Corporate Governance Law Corporate Compliance Law Corporate Law Venture Capital Law
*Named the "Lawyer of the Year" in this practice area in the 2026 edition in San Diego.

Biography

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.

Morrison Foerster

84 Best Lawyers awards

Morrison Foerster logo

Overview

  • Northwestern University, BA

  • California, The State Bar of California
  • California, The State Bar of California
  • Northwestern University, BA

Client Testimonials

Awards & Focus

Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2026 - Corporate Governance Law Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2024 - Corporate Governance Law Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2022 - Corporate Governance Law Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2017 - Corporate Governance Law
Named "Lawyer of the Year" by Best Lawyers® for:
  • Corporate Governance Law, San Diego (2026)
  • Corporate Governance Law, San Diego (2024)
  • Corporate Governance Law, San Diego (2022)
  • Corporate Governance Law, San Diego (2017)
Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® 2026 for work in:
  • Corporate Compliance Law
  • Corporate Governance Law
  • Corporate Law
  • Venture Capital Law
Additional Areas of Practice:
  • Mergers and Acquisitions Law

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