Steve Stein is a litigator who specializes in complex business and contract disputes.  Steve has helped take cases to trial and arbitration but focuses on resolving disputes short of full-blown litigation. 

Steve also helps clients navigate the maze of state and local laws and regulations governing commercial cannabis-related activity in California. He helped found and serves as a Co-Chair of the firm’s Cannabis Group. 

Before joining the firm, Steve wrote editorials for the Washington Post and served as a law clerk to the Honorable Stephen A. Higginson on the United States Court of Appeal for the Fifth Circuit.

Whether writing a demand letter or brief, or arguing in court, Steve draws on his experience as a journalist and law clerk to distill complex facts and legal issues into a concise, common sense story.

Awards

  • Southern California Super Lawyers Rising Stars, 2019, 2020

Bar Admissions

  • California

Court Admissions

  • United States District Court for the Central District of California

Education

  • University of Southern California Gould School of Law  (J.D., 2012)
    • Executive Articles Editor, USC Law Review
  • Emory University  (B.A., summa cum laude, 2008)
    • Journalism and Political Science

Representative Matters

Trial and Arbitration Experience

  • Served as second chair in jury trial representing real estate developers in dispute over five-star hotel
  • Served as second chair in arbitration representing film production company in rights dispute
  • Part of trial team that obtained ruling allowing client to sell the Los Angeles Clippers
  • Part of trial team that obtained favorable verdict for construction manager accused of wrongdoing

Pre-Trial Experience

  • Represents one of the most popular sports and pop culture websites in the country in connection with various high-profile lawsuits alleging copyright and trademark infringement, right of publicity and defamation
  • Authored motion obtaining summary judgment for television network in talent dispute
  • Defended studio in copyright infringement case concerning famous spy character
  • Defended toy manufacturer in trademark infringement litigation

Appellate Experience

  • Authored briefs obtaining Ninth Circuit reversal of false advertising judgment against manufacturer
  • Part of team that obtained Ninth Circuit reversal of $23 million verdict against public school district
  • Part of team that obtained Ninth Circuit affirmance of anti-SLAPP ruling for public school district

Cannabis-Related Experience

  • Helped advise client on groundbreaking deal to license major brand in cannabis space
  • Helped advise prominent media company on cannabis-related licensing issues
  • Advise clients on cannabis-related rules and regulations in California