Biography

As a trial attorney, Steve Lowenthal represents individual and business entities in all forms of trial and arbitration matters throughout the state and country including a variety of complex commercial matters. He has also developed a niche consulting practice, arising from his tenure at the Chairman of Farella (2005-2016), as a counselor to small, closely-held corporations, partnerships, law firms, trusts, or high net worth families dealing with operational issues, fiduciary duty questions, and related matters.

Professional services firms operating in competitive markets often find themselves grappling with complex legal and strategic issues relating to liability, strategic planning, structure, and similar questions. Addressing these issues requires an analysis of both the big picture, and operational details, and advice concerning their business activities.

Steve has a unique set of skills, drawn from the combination of his professional work as a litigator and his management roles at Farella. Whether he is analyzing the financial statements of a law or accounting firm, or meeting with and counseling the principals of an investment management firm, he represents an experienced, analytical, and forward-thinking voice that is a considerable competitive advantage for firms that benefit from a dispassionate, data-driven, and experienced point of view.

This same sense of pragmatism also guides Steve in his work as a litigator. He takes a decidedly businesslike approach to his practice of trial law, leading teams that provide practical advice, solutions, and efficient dispute resolution. His goal, where possible, is to seek a resolution of the dispute on terms favorable to his clients from a business and strategic perspective, but is prepared to handle the dispute through arbitration or trial when that approach is in the clients’ best interests.

He has taught trial advocacy at the Stanford University Law School Advocacy Skills Workshop and at the trial advocacy workshop at the University of San Francisco Law School. 

Distinctions

  • Northern California Super Lawyers (2005, 2007-2019)

Memberships and Affiliations

  • Past President of the Board of Governors of the Association of Business Trial Lawyers
  • Board member of the Legal Aid Society of San Francisco
  • Stanford Law School Center for the Legal Profession Advisory Committee
  • Advisory Committee for the Project for Attorney Retention

Firm Highlights

Publication

Corporate Transparency Act: A Guide on Beneficial Ownership for Nonprofit Executives

The Corporate Transparency Act, enacted as part of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021, represents a significant shift in regulatory requirements for entities across the United States. This act, set to...

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News

JPMorgan Chase Accuses TransUnion of Stealing 'Trade Secrets'

Intellectual property practice chair Eugene Mar provided expert commentary to American Banker for the article "JPMorgan Chase Accuses TransUnion of Stealing 'Trade Secrets'." In the article, he said: "By filing this as a trade...

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Publication

Corporate Transparency Act: State of the Law and Beneficial Ownership Reporting Requirements

Key Points: Despite ongoing legal challenges, the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) generally remains in effect and enforceable. Clients should continue to abide by its regulations. Initial reports for entities formed in 2024 are due within...

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News

Farella Announces 2024 Leadership Council on Legal Diversity Pathfinders: Taylor Rottjakob and John Ugai

Farella Braun + Martel is proud to announce that senior associates  Taylor E. Rottjakob and John M. Ugai have been named 2024 Leadership Council on Legal Diversity (LCLD) Pathfinders. Pathfinders have been identified as...

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News

North Coast Industry Insiders Weigh In on Why California Cannabis Tax Revenue Slipped in 2023

Jeff Hamilton spoke to Susan Wood with the North Bay Business Journal for the article "North Coast Industry Insiders Weigh In on Why California Cannabis Tax Revenue Slipped in 2023." Read the article with Jeff's...

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News

Scraping Battles: Meta Loses Legal Effort to Halt Harvesting of Personal Profiles

Alex Reese spoke to Matt Fleischer-Black of  Cybersecurity Law Report about the Meta v. Bright Data decision and its impact on U.S. scraping case law. Read the article here (paywall or trial).

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Publication

Insurance Market Crushes Wineries and Wine Country Homeowners

We keep hearing about how difficult it is for winery and vineyard owners to get property insurance these days, both for their homes and their wine businesses in California’s wildfire-prone areas. Those who have...

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Publication

Employment Law Update for Nonprofits With Holly Sutton

Welcome to  EO Radio Show - Your Nonprofit Legal Resource . Charities, foundations, and their founders often request help addressing employment practices and compliance questions. In this episode, host Cynthia Rowland is joined by Holly...

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Publication

Nonprofit Quick Tip: State Filings in North Carolina and South Carolina

Welcome to  EO Radio Show - Your Nonprofit Legal Resource . Episode 75 is the tenth in a series of Quick Tip episodes focusing on the details of state registration of nonprofit corporations. With...

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News

Farella Braun + Martel Earns San Francisco Green Business Recertification

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