Overview
Seth Steward is a litigation attorney at Corcoran Smith Law Corp., where he pairs complex-litigation experience with deep courtroom judgment to navigate the most difficult legal disputes, including estate and trust conflicts, beneficiary-rights claims, business litigation, and wrongful death. A graduate of The George Washington University Law School and the Harvard Kennedy School, and a former Assistant District Attorney who tried more than 30 jury trials, Seth brings courtroom-tested judgment, persuasive advocacy, and disciplined case strategy to each matter. In addition to his legal career, Seth has led complex organizations through high-stakes change, as executive director of a multimillion-dollar organization and as chief of staff to an Oakland City Councilmember, experience that informs the operational, risk-aware perspective he brings to clients. He is a United States Air Force veteran and has been a member of the State Bar of California since 2008.
Multifaceted career
A trial-tested attorney and strategic advocate
Seth Steward's career is built across military service, jury trials, public policy, executive leadership, and civil disputes.
Trial-tested litigator
More than a decade as a prosecutor and over 30 jury trials gave Seth command of oral advocacy, persuasive legal writing, and case strategy under pressure.
San Francisco DA's Office · 30+ jury trials · trial and motion practice
Inheritance and estate dispute advocate
Seth helps heirs, beneficiaries, fiduciaries, and families understand their position, organize the record, and choose the right next step in contested estate matters.
Inheritance disputes · trust litigation · contested probate
Executive leader and strategist
As an executive director and legislative chief of staff, Seth has run operations, governance, and risk for complex organizations and high-stakes public initiatives.
Executive Director, The Crucible · Chief of Staff, Oakland City Council
Air Force veteran and public servant
Eight years in combat search and rescue shaped the discipline and composure Seth brings to difficult disputes, and he continues to serve veterans through board leadership at Swords to Plowshares.
U.S. Air Force veteran · Swords to Plowshares board
Experience
Seth began his legal career as an Assistant District Attorney with the San Francisco District Attorney's Office, where he served for more than a decade and represented the People of California in over 30 jury trials. He tried cases to verdict, conducted extensive motion practice and evidentiary hearings, and exercised independent judgment over charging decisions, plea negotiations, and sentencing recommendations.
That caseload built the core skills that define effective litigation: investigating and analyzing complex factual records, developing case theories, and presenting persuasive arguments to judges and juries across a high-volume, high-stakes docket. Seth also served as the office's spokesperson, drafting public statements and leading communications on its highest-profile matters, work that sharpened his ability to translate complex legal questions into clear, credible messaging.
Beyond the courtroom, Seth has held senior executive and policy roles. As executive director of The Crucible, a $4 million education nonprofit, he led 20 full-time and roughly 150 part-time staff, turned an operating deficit exceeding $850,000 into a surplus within his first year, and restored the organization's regulatory and audit standing. As chief of staff to Oakland City Councilmember Dan Kalb, he directed legislative strategy, drafted public safety legislation from first draft through Council adoption, and advised on a $1.7 billion municipal budget. The result is a practical, risk-aware advocate who identifies exposure early, builds disciplined records, and remains prepared to litigate when a matter cannot be resolved on acceptable terms.
Military experience
Seth served eight years as a flight engineer and special missions aviator with the 129th Rescue Wing of the California Air National Guard, United States Air Force, rising to the rank of Staff Sergeant. Assigned to combat search and rescue operations, he deployed to Iraq in 2018 and Kenya in 2021 and flew critical domestic missions, including the response to Hurricane Irma, the Oroville Dam crisis, and California's annual wildfires. On March 5, 2020, his crew delivered COVID-19 testing equipment and personnel to the Grand Princess cruise ship. He was named the 129th Rescue Wing's Airman of the Year in 2017 and the 129th Operations Group's NCO of the Quarter in 2019.
Education
- J.D., The George Washington University Law School
- M.P.A., Harvard University, John F. Kennedy School of Government
- B.A., Occidental College
Leadership & public service
- Executive Director, The Crucible (2023 – 2025)
- Chief of Staff, Oakland City Councilmember Dan Kalb (2019 – 2023)
- Adjunct Instructor, Criminal Justice, City College of San Francisco (2018 – present)
Honors & service
- Board Member and Governance Committee Chair, Swords to Plowshares (2023 – present)
- Board Member and Scholarship Committee Chair, Peralta Colleges Foundation (2019 – 2023)
- Airman of the Year, 129th Rescue Wing, U.S. Air Force (2017)
- NCO of the Quarter, 129th Operations Group, U.S. Air Force (2019)
- Life Member, Charles Houston Bar Association
- Life Member, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
- Eagle Scout, Boy Scouts of America
