Steve is a versatile corporate attorney who draws on his in-house legal and business management experience to advise clients on transactional, corporate finance, and general corporate matters. He has particular experience with middle market mergers and acquisitions and regularly advises clients on exit strategies. Steve represents public, private, and emerging growth companies in a variety of industries, including life sciences, technology, digital health, and retail and consumer products.
Prior to joining Mintz, Steve co-founded a San Francisco-based boutique business law firm, where he guided companies of all sizes through complex business deals. Earlier, he was general counsel and vice president for business development of a venture-backed health and wellness software company and practiced at two international law firms. He also served as a law clerk and legislative director for commerce for former US Senator John Ensign (R-NV).
Steve has completed the Investment Banking Institute’s financial modeling and business valuation course.
viewpoints
California’s SB 53 and Emerging AI Regulation: Strategic Guidance for Founders and Investors
October 22, 2025 | Blog | By Daniel DeWolf, Stephen Osborn, David Adams, Cyrus Breese
California’s SB 53 sets new AI safety standards. Learn how early-stage startups can align with emerging governance to stay competitive.
Serving on a Private Equity Board: Rewards and Reality
August 11, 2025 | Blog | By Stephen Osborn
A panel moderated by Mintz Member, Steve Osbourne explores the risks, rewards, and realities of serving on private equity boards in a NACD Northern California webinar.
Mintz and Antler: A Game-Changing Partnership Boosting Legal Support for Startups Everywhere — Including Innovative Health Care Company “peri”
September 12, 2023 | Article | By Stephen Osborn
Read about how Mintz’s partnership with startup accelerator and venture capital firm Antler led to Mintz’s work for oral health innovator peri.
MintzTech Connect Industry News: Spotlight on Miyoko’s Creamery
December 10, 2021 | Article | By Stephen Osborn
MintzTech Connect Industry News: Spotlight on Turing Enterprises
February 10, 2021 | Article | By Stephen Osborn
News & Press
How AI Is Disrupting LevFin, Part Two — Decoding AI Compliance
September 8, 2025|
Mintz Advises Greater Asia Pacific in Cross-Border M&A Deal
December 13, 2024|
Hsu Untied Interview with Steve Osborn
January 31, 2024|
Leveraging A Law Firm To Create Impact with Steve Osborn of Mintz
October 20, 2023|
Mintz Taps New Office Managing Members In SF, DC
April 3, 2023|
Mintz’s Private Equity Practice Appoints New Leadership
November 17, 2022|
Mintz's Role on Biolog-id SPAC included in 'Deal Watch'
August 29, 2022|
Mintz Advises Biolog-id in SPAC Transaction
August 29, 2022|
podcasts
AI’s Impact on the Attorney-Client RelationshipA Practical Policies Podcast
September 29, 2026 | Podcast | By Jennifer Rubin, Stephen Osborn
AI is changing the attorney-client relationship. Explore the risks, opportunities, and why human judgment remains essential.
Hsu Untied Interview with Steve Osborn
February 5, 2024 | Podcast
Podcaster Richard Hsu interviewed San Francisco Managing Member Steve Osborn on his podcast Hsu Untied. In the episode, Steve reflects on his career journey and more.
From the Edge - In the Boardroom: Special Edition - Lessons Learned from Silicon Valley Bank
April 24, 2023 | Podcast | By Stephen Osborn, Melanie Ruthrauff Levy, Thomas Burton
In this special edition of the podcast, the team discusses lessons learned for board members from the failure of Silicon Valley Bank (SVB).
From the Edge - In the Boardroom: Session 7 - Down Rounds
December 16, 2022 | Podcast | By Melanie Ruthrauff Levy, Stephen Osborn, Jeremy Glaser
In our seventh session, the team is joined by Jeremy Glaser, Co-chair of our Venture Capital & Emerging Companies Practice, to discuss what you need to know about down round financings – overview; perceptions, implications, and risks; and how a board can best prepare for a down round.
From the Edge - In the Boardroom: Session 6 - Crises in the Boardroom
December 7, 2022 | Podcast | By Melanie Ruthrauff Levy, Stephen Osborn, Jason Vigna
In our sixth session, the team is joined by Jason Vigna, a Member in our Securities Litigation Practice, to discuss best practices for handling crises in the boardroom — including identifying, documenting, discussing, managing, and disclosing material risks.
From the Edge - In the Boardroom: Special Edition - Lessons from Theranos
November 29, 2022 | Podcast | By Thomas R. Burton, III, Melanie Ruthrauff Levy, Stephen Osborn
With the conviction and 11-year sentence for former CEO Elizabeth Holmes, the team looks at the lessons to be learned from Theranos. The team discusses (1) the importance of open communication between board members and executives, (2) fostering a culture of compliance, and (3) tips for picking up on the early-warning signs.
From the Edge - In the Boardroom: Session 5 - Employment Law
November 16, 2022 | Podcast | By Melanie Ruthrauff Levy, Stephen Osborn, Jennifer Rubin
In our fifth session, which focuses on employment law, the team is joined by Jen Rubin, a bicoastal Member in our Employment, Labor & Benefits Practice and Chair of our ESG Practice, to discuss best practices related to hiring an executive (hint: consensus is key), managing the executive at the board level, and how to (amicably) negotiate to terminate an executive.
From the Edge - In the Boardroom: Session 4 - ESG in the Boardroom
September 28, 2022 | Podcast | By Thomas Burton, Melanie Ruthrauff Levy, Stephen Osborn
In our fourth session, “ESG in the Boardroom,” the team is joined by Kristyn Noeth, Of Counsel at Mintz, to discuss best practices related to and practical implementation of ESG concepts, as well as the impending Climate Disclosure Rule. As noted in the introduction, fewer topics are generating more interest in boardrooms across the country (and at Mintz!) than environmental, social, and corporate governance.
From the Edge - In the Boardroom: Session 3 - Board Committees
September 21, 2022 | Podcast | By Thomas Burton, Melanie Ruthrauff Levy, Stephen Osborn
In our third session, “Board Committees,” the team discusses the various types of committees, the role or purpose of committees, committee composition, ESG as it relates to committees, and board committee trends.
From the Edge - In the Boardroom: Session 2 - Running an Effective Board Meeting
September 14, 2022 | Podcast | By Thomas Burton, Melanie Ruthrauff Levy, Stephen Osborn
In our second session, “Running an Effective Board Meeting,” the team discusses key considerations for public and private companies in this critical area of governance.
Events & Speaking
Serving on Private Equity Boards: Risks, Rewards, and Realities
NACD Northern California Chapter
Recognition & Awards
Northern California Super Lawyers: Mergers & Acquisitions (2025)
Involvement
- Member, San Francisco Chapter, Association for Corporate Growth
- Group leader and founder, Bay Area Mergers & Acquisitions Group, ProVisors

