Steve LaSala is a corporate transactional attorney focused on mergers and acquisitions. He counsels buyers and sellers in M&A matters on a daily basis and has advised on hundreds of transactions across industries and geographic borders. Clients turn to him and his team for practical and efficient advice.
On the buy-side, he counsels private equity funds and strategic buyers. He has handled more than 100 add-on transactions for private equity-owned businesses. On the sell-side, he regularly works with entrepreneur and institutionally owned companies navigating a sales process.
In addition to M&A, Steve advises on equity financings, joint ventures, corporate governance, equity and executive compensation, and matters relating to the formation and structure of business entities.
Steve represents a wide range of companies in the U.S. and elsewhere—from entrepreneur-owned startups to established public companies—as well as institutional and individual investors. His experience spans business services, aerospace and defense, manufacturing, healthcare, software, energy, consumer products, life sciences, clean technology, construction, media and e-commerce.
His work includes:
- Public and private mergers, acquisitions and divestitures representing buyers, sellers, investment advisors and special committees
- Transactions in the U.S. and cross-border deals
- Equity financings representing operating companies and institutional investors
- Advice to senior executives of public and private companies regarding employment compensation matters
- Negotiation of joint ventures, strategic alliances, licensing and other commercial business transactions
Steve serves as chair of the firm’s Compensation Committee. He is also the former managing partner of the San Diego (Del Mar) office and the former practice group leader of the Corporate practice group.

