About Stephen

Stephen Brown
Candidate for Ninth Circuit Judge

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Stephen Brown was raised in Florida from the age of four (4). As a child he excelled in academics and, as he grew older, he became more and more community-oriented: serving at his church, volunteering for a local nonprofit hospital, and participating in thousands of hours of volunteer service with Scouting programs. Stephen attained the rank of Eagle Scout in high school and continued mentoring younger Scouts as a camp counselor and in other positions throughout college.

Early in his youth, Stephen displayed a strong sense of fairness and a belief that all people should have equal opportunities to participate. These traits continued to grow with Stephen into adulthood.

Stephen attended The Florida State University where he earned two (2) bachelor’s degrees in four (4) years: one (1) with a double major in Political Science and Social Science and the other with a major in Environmental Studies. He worked full time at night while attending classes during the day.

After graduating from FSU, Stephen attended The University of Florida Levin College of Law. While in law school, Stephen participated in the Virgil Hawkins Family Law Clinic providing legal services to the needy free of charge, served as a teaching assistant for Legal Research and Writing and Appellate Advocacy, and performed independent study regarding the reliability and efficacy of the testimony of child abuse victims. He participated in various campus organizations, continued to maintain a job, and graduated cum laude (with honors).

Stephen was appointed Assistant State Attorney by State Attorney Lawson Lamar after graduating law school and being admitted to the Bar. For four (4) years at the State Attorney’s Office, Stephen focused on trying tough cases and advocating for the victims of crime. He was responsible for closing thousands of cases during his service and had his hands on many more. All the while, he continued his commitment to fairness and equality.

Upon completion of his service at the State Attorney’s Office, Stephen co-founded a law firm which has handled Family, Criminal, Juvenile, and Civil cases for the past 12 years. Stephen has appeared in every division of the circuit court: Family, Criminal, Juvenile, Probate, and Civil. He has tried greater than 70 jury trials as the lead attorney and assisted on many more over the course of his career.

In addition to litigation, Stephen believes in dispute resolution through mediation. Stephen is one (1) of fewer than 50 mediators in the state that are certified by the Florida Supreme Court for Mediation in all five (5) subject-matters: Circuit Civil, Family, Dependency, Appellate, and County.

Stephen Brown is running for Circuit Judge because he sincerely believes that every person should feel welcome and be treated with dignity at their county courthouse: litigants, attorneys, criminal defendants, victims of crime, court staff, and court deputies.

Stephen understands the importance of, and is committed to, maintaining a judiciary that is completely free of political influence. The courts are the last defense against government overreach.

Vote for Stephen Brown for Circuit Judge on August 20, 2024 to support experience, knowledge, diversity, fairness, and, most importantly, justice in the courts of Orange and Osceola Counties.


Education

Bachelor of Science in Political Science and Social Science, The Florida State University

Bachelor of Science in Geography (Environmental Studies Program), The Florida State University

Juris Doctor, cum laude, The University of Florida Levin College of Law

Legal Experience

Former Assistant State Attorney in County, Juvenile, and Felony Bureaus

Former Adjunct Legal Studies Professor, Keiser University

Shareholder, Brown & Rice, P.A., Family, Criminal, and General Practice

Founder, The Mediation Firm of Florida, LLC

More Than 70 Jury Trials

Much More Non-Jury Trial and Evidentiary Hearing Experience

Professional Licenses and Certifications

Admitted to the Florida Bar

Admitted to U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida

Admitted to U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Middle District of Florida

Florida Supreme Court Certified Circuit Mediatior

Florida Supreme Court Certified Family Mediator

Florida Supreme Court Certified Dependency Mediator

Florida Supreme Court Certified County Mediator

Florida Supreme Court Certified Appellate Mediator

Florida Real Estate Broker’s License

Memberships

NAACP – Life Member

Osceola County Bar Association

Orange County Bar Association

League of Women Voters of Orange County, FL

Paul C. Perkins Bar Association

Central Florida Gay & Lesbian Law Association

Greater Orlando Asian American Bar Association

Hispanic Bar Association of Central Florida

Central Florida Association for Women Lawyers

National Eagle Scout Association

Photo of Stephen Brown for Judge
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