Stephen W. Metz

Legislative & Governmental Affairs | Administrative Law

Steve is a shareholder and is extensively involved in the legislative section of the firm. He has over 35 years of experience in the legislative process. Steve received his Bachelor's Degree in Journalism with honors from the University of Florida and earned his Juris Doctor at the Florida State University College of Law.

Steve practices in the areas of legislative, governmental, and administrative.  Steve is a former legislative staff member and a former Assistant Attorney General. He was the General Counsel of the Florida Home Builders Association from 1976 to 1981 and the General Counsel of the Florida Chamber of Commerce from 1981 to 1985.

He is a member of the Florida Bar and has been a lecturer on legislative practice and dealing with state agencies.  During his career, he has played a major role in a wide range of legislative initiatives including tax issues, health regulations, workers compensation, judicial, environmental, construction and growth management issues.

In 1998 and 1999, Steve was chosen by the leading business associations in Florida to serve as Executive Director of Tort Reform United Effort (TRUE), the lobbying group formed to successfully advocate tort reform in Florida. Steve has served as the Vice President of Governmental Affairs for the Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce and is a member of the Natural Resource Committee of the Florida Chamber of Commerce.

Steve was appointed by Governor Bush to serve on the Florida Sports Foundation and served eight years.  Steve was elected vice chair of the Florida Sports Foundation.  He also served as the Chairman of the Task Force on Crime for the Florida Chamber of Commerce.  Steve currently serves on the Board of the FSU Foundation.  Steve was awarded the Distinguished Service Award from the FSU College of Law.

Steve has received the highest "AV" rating from Martindale-Hubbell.

Current Employment Position(s)

Shareholder Areas Of Practice: Legislative & Governmental Affairs Administrative Law Environmental Law Bar Admissions: Florida, 1976 Education: Florida State University College of Law, Tallahassee, Florida, 1975 University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 1971 B.A. Honors: With Honors Major: Journalism Classes/Seminars Taught: Lecturer, Legislative Practice and Growth Management Topics Honors and Awards: AV Rating, Martindale-Hubbell Professional Associations and Memberships: The Florida Bar Member American Bar Association Member Tort Reform United Effort (TRUE), 1998 - 1999 Executive Director Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce Vice President, Government Affairs Florida Chamber of Commerce Member, Natural Resources Committee Florida Chamber of Commerce Former Chairman, Task Force on Crime Florida Chamber of Commerce Board of Governors Chairman, Legislative Policy Council Past, Vice Chairman, Florida Sports Foundation, Board of Directors of FSU Foundation

Employment Positions

Florida House of Representative, State of Florida, Attorney General's Office; Assistant Attorney General; Florida Home Builders Association, General Counsel, 1976 – 1981; Florida Chamber of Commerce, General Counsel, 1981 - 1986.

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