Stephen J. Padula

Stephen J. Padula is a partner and co-founder of Padula Bennardo Levine, LLP. Mr. Padula is double Board Certified by the Florida Bar in the areas of Business Litigation as well as Civil Trial, which is the highest level of evaluation by The Florida Bar of competency and experience of attorneys. The Florida Bar grants board certification only to lawyers who have been evaluated for experience and expertise in a particular area of law. Out of approximately 100,000 Florida Bar members, only 1,008 attorneys are Board Certified in Civil Trial and only 240 attorneys are Board Certified in Business Litigation. There are presently only 90 eligible Florida attorneys who are double Board Certified like Mr. Padula. Certified attorneys like Mr. Padula are the only lawyers allowed to identify themselves as “specialists” and “experts” in their area of distinction.

Education

Mr. Padula has litigated and tried numerous jury and non-jury cases spanning the areas of business, real estate, construction, and employment law throughout Florida. Mr. Padula earned his B.S.B.A. degree, graduating magna cum laude from Lynn University, and earned his Juris Doctor degree with honors from the University of Miami School of Law. He was admitted to the Florida Bar in 1999 and is a member of the South Palm Beach County Bar Association. Mr. Padula is also admitted to practice before the Sixth and Eleventh Circuit Courts of Appeals, as well as the U.S. District Court for the Southern and Middle Districts of Florida, and Colorado.

Experience

Mr. Padula has represented a wide variety of clients, including prominent business entities, real estate developers, contractors, and distinguished individuals. He also has been involved in many arbitrations, mediations, and appeals throughout the country.

Memberships

Mr. Padula has been selected for inclusion in Super Lawyers, South Florida Legal Guide, and Florida Elite Magazines, and is peer review rated by Martindale-Hubbell. He is rated AV® Preeminent™ by Martindale Hubbell, that organization’s highest rating.

From 2015-2018, Mr. Padula was appointed by The Florida Supreme Court and served as a member of its Jury Instructions Committee for Contract and Business cases. In 2020, Mr. Padula was appointed to The Florida Bar Business Litigation Certification Committee where he currently serves.

Mr. Padula was born in Chicago, Illinois, and has been residing in Boca Raton since 1986.