Steve was born and raised in Iowa City and graduated from West High School in 1983.  He also attended the University of Iowa for both his undergraduate degree (B.A. Journalism and Mass Communications and Political Science 1987) and law school (J.D. 1990).  Steve worked briefly at First National Bank after graduation from law school before enter private practice.  Steve opened his own law office in 2004. Steve is the owner of Hawkeye Title and Settlement Services, which is a full service provider of real estate title and closing services in Johnson County and the surrounding area. Hawkeye Title and Settlement is one of the largest privately owned abstract and settlement companies in the State of Iowa.

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Steve is active in the community and is President of the Board of Directors, Visiting Nurse Association, Chair of the Mercy Hospital Foundation Board of Directors, Board of Directors for Table 2 Table, the Advisory Council for the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP), and has been an adviser and legal counsel for Habitat for Humanity for over 20 years.  Steve is also a founding Board member and former President of the West High School Alumni Association. He is a huge Hawkeye and University of Iowa Fan and grew up in the shadow of Kinnick Stadium, Iowa Fieldhouse and Carver-Hawkeye Arena.

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Steve and his wife, Jennifer, and their three children (two sons, and one daughter) reside in Iowa City. Jennifer is an active member of the community and is on the City High Alumni Association Board of Directors, Mothers of Preschoolers (MOPS) at Grace Community Church, North Liberty, Hearts in Touch (H.I.T.) at Parkview Evangelical Free Church, Iowa City and Vacation Bible School, Parkview Church and "The Spot" in Broadway Neighborhood, Iowa City.