Steven D. Miller

Steven has a varied practice representing both public and private clients in the public arena. He assists public agencies throughout California operating bus, rail, and ferry service. His general areas of expertise include public contracts and procurements, regulatory compliance, intergovernmental agreements, constitutional issues, election law, and government ethics. He has particular depth of expertise in all issues relative to transit agencies and the complex statutory and regulatory framework under which they operate. Steven is the evaluator for the City of San Jose Board of Fair Campaign and Political Practices (formerly Ethics Commission), advising that entity regarding alleged violations of the San Jose Municipal Code in the area of election and ethics rules.

Steven has extensive experience in public sector contracting issues, including representing both public and private entities in the area of public works contracts, contract negotiations of all types, and bid protests relating to complex state and local procurements. He regularly advises private and public entities on compliance with federal Buy America requirements.

Steven also assists clients, both public and private, on a wide range of issues relating to political and election law. His constitutional law focus has led to his involvement in recent efforts to address structural reform in California, including drafting initiatives for Statewide ballots.

Steven's expertise includes advising local government, as well as manufacturers and users, regarding the developing legal landscape, and the increasing opportunities for commercial use, of unmanned aircraft systems (i.e. drones). In addition, Steven teaches legal writing and research at University of California, Hastings College of the Law.

Steven has a particular enthusiasm for, and expertise in, the developing legal landscape, and the increasing opportunities for commercial use, of unmanned aircraft systems (i.e. drones). He blogs on the topic at www.Hoverlaw.com.

Beyond the practice of law, Steven is a Grammy-award winning violinist and served for many years on the faculty of the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. He has issued more than 20 CDs and has appeared on both NPR and PBS.