Steve Masters

Steve Masters is an unparalleled advocate. With decades of experience in Philadelphia government, leadership positions with both national and local nonprofit boards and a deep background in issue advocacy and political organizing, Steve is an outside advocate with insider experience.

Whether you need help with zoning or other business permits, resolving code violations, guiding your nonprofit advocacy or political organization, gdrafting legislation, developing a statewide advocacy campaign or negotiating a community benefits agreement, Steve’s expertise will give you an edge.

For over a decade, Steve wrote groundbreaking legislation in City Council and also served as Council President Anna Verna’s zoning lawyer. During this time, he helped developers and community groups settle their differences, earned decisive legal victories in court when settlement wasn’t possible and used innovative solutions to improve the quality of life in all Philadelphia neighborhoods. In addition to his zoning experience, Steve wrote the nation’s strictest anti-predatory lending law, created the mechanism for ballot referenda in Philadelphia, wrote path breaking bills to promote sustainability and created landmark labor legislation. Steve also created and led City Council’s local nuisance task forces, which brought state and local law and code enforcement agencies together with community and political leaders to proactively tackle major nuisance business issues in neighborhoods across the city.

When Steve decided to start his own business, he created an innovative, social impact law firm to combine his expertise in the environment, labor, business, advocacy and municipal government issues and give political access to businesses and nonprofit advocates who don’t usually have a seat at the table. A proud member of both the American Sustainable Business Network and the Sustainable Business Network of Greater Philadelphia, Steve has translated his track record of public service into supporting a community of triple-bottom-line businesses and promoting a strong, local impact economy.

Steve is licensed to practice law in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.