Steve Martini was born in San Francisco, California. He worked as a newspaper reporter and then as an attorney, practicing law in both state and federal courts in California for seventeen years before becoming a full time novelist in 1991.

An honors graduate of the University of California at Santa Cruz, Mr. Martini received his law degree from the University of the Pacific's McGeorge School of Law. For nearly a decade he worked as a journalist and correspondent at the California State Capitol in Sacramento, specializing in legal issues. In this capacity he covered notable trials, the state legislature, and the administrations of Governors Ronald Reagan and Jerry Brown.

In 1974 he entered private law practice representing clients in both civil and criminal matters. He later worked as a legislative representative for the State Bar of California and testified on numerous occasions before committees of the California Legislature regarding laws affecting the state's justice system. He has spoken before groups of lawyers, civic organizations, students, writers and forensic scientists. In addition to his novels Mr. Martini has also authored numerous news stories, articles and commentaries on law and politics. He has appeared on a number of television shows, including CNN's Burden of Proof, Court TV, The Crier Report, and NBC's Today Show.