Steven P. Combs

Steven P. Combs is a partner in the Jacksonville home office of Combs Green McLester.  Since the advent of the current mortgage meltdown, he has developed a successful foreclosure defense practice, utilizing both state court and bankruptcy strategies.   Steve's practice also involves consulting with lawyers engaged in foreclosure defense throughout other areas of the country.   Steve is AV peer review rated by Martindale-Hubbell, which is the highest possible rating attainable for a lawyer.

Steve is a current member of the National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys and is a proud contributor to the National Bankruptcy Forum. Steve has lectured on foreclosure defense with the Foreclosure Defense Institute as well as the Amstar Litigation Group.  

Steve received his B.A. from the University of Florida in Classical Studies in 1987, studying ancient Greek and Latin. Thereafter, he received his J.D. (with Honors) from the University of Florida College of Law in 1991, where he served as Editor-in-Chief of the University of Florida Journal of Law and Public Policy.

He is the former General Counsel for the Fourth Judicial Circuit, which comprises Duval, Clay and Nassau Counties, Florida, where he provided legal advice regarding the day to day operation of the court as well as guidance to the Chief Judge in the exercise of his authority pursuant to Article V, of the Florida Constitution.  Immediately prior to his appointment as General Counsel for the Fourth Judicial Circuit, Steve served as a Magistrate in Clay County, Florida, where he presided over approximately 3,000-4,000 hearings annually. While serving in Clay County, Steve served as President of the Florida Association of Magistrates and Hearing Officers. 

Steve currently serves on the Florida Bar Rules of Judicial Administration Committee, where he is in his second year as a voting and working Representative Member .

Steve has been recognized on multiple occasions by various organizations for his dedication to children and families. He was recognized on a state-wide basis by the Family Law Section of the Florida Bar, which on June 25, 2003, bestowed upon him its First Annual Dignity in the Law Award for "his dedication to Public Service on Behalf of Florida's Families." He was also recognized in 2001, 2002 and 2003 as the Clay County Child Advocate of the Year for his efforts on the bench to protect children.  Steve continues to fight for Florida families who are threatened with destitution by foreclosure.

Steve served as for ten semesters as an adjunct member of the faculty at the Florida Coastal School of Law where he taught Florida Constitutional Law, Remedies, Alternative Dispute Resolution, as well as the first and second semester legal research and writing courses offered by the law school. Steve has also leveraged his experience as a mediator to teach Alternative Dispute Resolution. Steve has also compiled page draft for a case book on the Florida Constitution's Declaration of Rights.

Steve has been an active lecturer at continuing legal education seminars on various subjects including foreclosure defense, professionalism, family law, dependency and quasi-judicial officers.