About Stephen Joseph
Stephen Joseph Padula earned his law degree from the University of Miami School of Law in 1996. He entered practice at a time when the Florida legal market was shifting, and he carved out a place in litigation rather than following a transactional path. He is one of several attorneys who have built practices around trial work and contested business matters.
After law school, Padula spent years developing courtroom experience. He handled cases that required sustained litigation strategy, witness preparation and trial advocacy. Over time his caseload included contract disputes, shareholder and partnership fights, and other contested business matters. He has tried cases and argued procedural and substantive issues in court at various levels.
His credentials include Board Certification in Business Litigation and Civil Trial from The Florida Bar. That recognition requires peer review, a significant record of litigation work and demonstrated trial experience. It marks him among the lawyers in the state who take tried-and-tested courtroom work seriously rather than only handling cases before or after trial.
Padula is a partner at Padula Bennardo Levine, LLP. The firm handles business and commercial litigation, and he is a central figure in that lineup. Colleagues describe him as methodical and exacting in preparation. Clients have relied on his courtroom experience when disputes could not be resolved through negotiation alone.
He publishes and speaks less often than some peers, preferring hands-on case work and courtroom practice. He mentors younger lawyers in the firm on litigation practice and trial tactics. He now practices at Padula Bennardo Levine, LLP, where his practice centers on business litigation and civil trials.
