Steven graduated from the University of Adelaide with an Honours Degree in Law in 1972, and in 1979 he was awarded a Master’s Degree in Law from the University of British Columbia. He practiced as a Barrister and Solicitor until 1984 when he joined the independent Bar, and in 1988 he was appointed KC.

In 1999 he was appointed a Judge of the Family Court of Australia, and in 2009 was assigned to the Appeal Division of that Court. From 2019 Steven was the administrative head of the Appeal Division until his retirement as a Judge on 20 November 2021.

Steven was a member of the Executive of the Family Law Section of the Law Council of Australia from 1994 until 1998 when he became Chair of the Section. He qualified as an Arbitrator in 1996 and was a Director of AIFLAM from 1998 until his retirement as a Judge.

He continues to serve as a Director and Chair of the Arbitration Committee of AIFLAM and is an AMDRAS accredited Mediator. He is also President of Pacifica Congress Ltd. In addition, Steven holds appointments as an Adjunct Professor at both the University of Adelaide and Southern Cross University.

Since his retirement as a Judge, Steven has returned to practice as a Barrister, Arbitrator, Mediator and Consultant.

Separately, Steven is a member of the National Sports Tribunal, and a Commissioner with the Disciplinary Tribunal of the Adelaide Football League.