Mark C. Stevens

650-335-7257
mstevens@fenwick.com
Partner
Corporate

Mark C.
Stevens

Mark C.
Stevens

Mark C.
Stevens

Partner
Corporate

Mark partners with emerging, high-growth and mature technology companies in Silicon Valley and New York, throughout the U.S. and all over the world.

He offers strategic advice on transactional matters at every stage, including initial funding, venture capital financings, mergers and acquisitions and public market fundraising. He also represents the venture, incubator, corporate and growth investors who invest in those companies, as well as the investment banks that serve them. Clients appreciate the 360-degree perspective Mark brings from having previously worked as a legal and business executive at major technology companies and as a partner in a venture capital firm.

For nearly a decade, Mark has been recognized as a leading lawyer by Chambers USA for his work with venture capital, startups and emerging companies. In a recent edition of Chambers USA, a client commented, "[Mark] is the epitome of the experienced and effective business lawyer. He has a tremendous amount of experience and can effectively tailor all of that experience to specific, actionable advice for your company."

Mark was recognized in 2022 as “Dealmaker of the Year” by The American Lawyer for his representation of Coinbase in its pioneering direct listing on Nasdaq. He is also ranked as a key lawyer by Legal 500 for venture capital and emerging companies. In the 2021 edition of Legal 500, his client notes, “Mark Stevens has decades of experience coupled with intelligent, strategic thinking.”

Mark's Expertise

Mark firmly believes in the aphorism that “software is eating the world” and enjoys helping his clients launch and grow businesses built on software, artificial intelligence and machine learning. He has deep experience in a range of software-enabled industries, including:

  • Enterprise and consumer cloud applications
  • Digital media and ad tech
  • Fintech
  • Cryptocurrency and blockchain
  • E-commerce
  • Drones and autonomous vehicles
  • Internet of Things
  • Digital games and eSports

Mark firmly believes in the aphorism that “software is eating the world” and enjoys helping his clients launch and grow businesses built on software, artificial intelligence and machine learning. He has deep experience in a range of software-enabled industries, including:

  • Enterprise and consumer cloud applications
  • Digital media and ad tech
  • Fintech
  • Cryptocurrency and blockchain
  • E-commerce
  • Drones and autonomous vehicles
  • Internet of Things
  • Digital games and eSports

Mark is among the most prominent lawyers advising the games industry. He is a leader of Fenwick’s preeminent games practice.

Mark is among the most prominent lawyers advising the games industry. He is a leader of Fenwick’s preeminent games practice.

Highlighted by a well-known entrepreneur and venture capitalist as having, “opened my eyes to greatness at the position of legal counsel,” Mark has led teams handling merger, acquisition and divestiture transactions with a total value well in excess of $50 billion. He has directed many hundreds of venture financings, dozens of initial public offerings and a broad variety of other strategic alliance transactions, ranging from technology and distribution partnerships to multinational joint venture transactions.

In addition to over 30 years of legal practice at Fenwick, Mark was executive vice president of business and corporate development at Excite@Home, vice president of legal, mergers and acquisitions, at Electronic Arts and a venture partner at GGV Capital. He has also served on boards of directors of several public and private companies. Prior to attending law school, he was a software engineer.

Highlighted by a well-known entrepreneur and venture capitalist as having, “opened my eyes to greatness at the position of legal counsel,” Mark has led teams handling merger, acquisition and divestiture transactions with a total value well in excess of $50 billion. He has directed many hundreds of venture financings, dozens of initial public offerings and a broad variety of other strategic alliance transactions, ranging from technology and distribution partnerships to multinational joint venture transactions.

In addition to over 30 years of legal practice at Fenwick, Mark was executive vice president of business and corporate development at Excite@Home, vice president of legal, mergers and acquisitions, at Electronic Arts and a venture partner at GGV Capital. He has also served on boards of directors of several public and private companies. Prior to attending law school, he was a software engineer.

  • 100 Thieves
  • Accel Entertainment
  • Apeel Sciences
  • AviaGames
  • Basis Technologies
  • Bill.com
  • Brilliant Home Technology
  • Bullpen Capital
  • BuzzFeed
  • Center for Investigative Reporting
  • Coinbase
  • Embracer Group
  • GGV Capital
  • Goldman Sachs
  • Griffin Gaming
  • Higher Ground Labs
  • Jam City
  • Journey Builders
  • King Digital Entertainment
  • NetEase
  • Nexon
  • O'Reilly Media
  • Play Games24x7
  • Playable Worlds
  • Pubmatic
  • Quantcast
  • Riot Games
  • Science Media
  • Scribd
  • Sequoia Capital
  • Shanghai Giant Network Technology
  • Supercell Oy
  • Tastemade Studios
  • Urbint

  • 100 Thieves
  • Accel Entertainment
  • Apeel Sciences
  • AviaGames
  • Basis Technologies
  • Bill.com
  • Brilliant Home Technology
  • Bullpen Capital
  • BuzzFeed
  • Center for Investigative Reporting
  • Coinbase
  • Embracer Group
  • GGV Capital
  • Goldman Sachs
  • Griffin Gaming
  • Higher Ground Labs
  • Jam City
  • Journey Builders
  • King Digital Entertainment
  • NetEase
  • Nexon
  • O'Reilly Media
  • Play Games24x7
  • Playable Worlds
  • Pubmatic
  • Quantcast
  • Riot Games
  • Science Media
  • Scribd
  • Sequoia Capital
  • Shanghai Giant Network Technology
  • Supercell Oy
  • Tastemade Studios
  • Urbint

Mark is "a consummate business lawyer who provides practical and actionable advice."

Chambers USA

Mark is "a consummate business lawyer who provides practical and actionable advice."

Chambers USA

Mark is "a consummate business lawyer who provides practical and actionable advice."

Chambers USA

Recognition Recognition Recognition

Recognition Recognition Recognition

Recognition
The American Lawyer

2022

Dealmaker of the Year for his representation of Coinbase in its pioneering direct listing on Nasdaq.

Chambers USA

2012 - 2024

Regularly ranks Mark among the nation's leading lawyers for startups and emerging companies work, as well as in California for venture capital work.

The Legal 500

2018 - 2021

Highlighted Mark among the top lawyers in the U.S. for venture capital and emerging companies.

U.S. News - Best Lawyers

2006 - 2021

Among the Best Lawyers in America for corporate law and leveraged buyouts and private equity.

Lawdragon

2024 - 2025

Recognized Mark as among The Best Lawyers in America for corporate and M&A law.

Recognition
The American Lawyer

2022

Dealmaker of the Year for his representation of Coinbase in its pioneering direct listing on Nasdaq.

Chambers USA

2012 - 2024

Regularly ranks Mark among the nation's leading lawyers for startups and emerging companies work, as well as in California for venture capital work.

The Legal 500

2018 - 2021

Highlighted Mark among the top lawyers in the U.S. for venture capital and emerging companies.

U.S. News - Best Lawyers

2006 - 2021

Among the Best Lawyers in America for corporate law and leveraged buyouts and private equity.

Lawdragon

2024 - 2025

Recognized Mark as among The Best Lawyers in America for corporate and M&A law.