Background: Steve’s Move to Central Florida
Steve was born in New Orleans, Louisiana. As was the practice for new doctors his father worked day and night during his medical residency at Charity Hospital there. Steve comes from a long line of doctors. His father, his grandfather, his great grandfather, even two uncles were all specialists and/or surgeons in their chosen medical specialties, including internal medicine specialist, obstetrics/gynecology, neurosurgery and general practice/surgery. His great-great grandfather was the Surgeon General of Ohio during the Civil War.
When Steve was two years old the Brooks family moved to Winter Haven, Florida where Steve’s dad, Beach A. Brooks, Sr. began practicing medicine at Bond Clinic. Growing up in Winter Haven was a great experience. People didn’t have to lock their doors and neighbors became close like family and looked out for each other.
Background: Growing up in the Chain of Lakes City
Growing up in Winter Haven (the Chain of Lakes City) on Lake Otis, Steve, his brother Beach and two sisters, Libba and Nancy loved boating and skiing. Steve even used to barefoot ski, including starting barefoot from the beach. The boys would load up their boats with oranges and have “orange wars”, with other friends in their boats, using metal garbage can lids as shields. They had great times growing up, but their parents often worried about their dare devilish ways.
Steve enjoyed baseball, tennis and other sports; but he was especially interested in owning his own business. His grandmother was a real estate broker and that sparked an interest in him to invest in real estate. At the age of 14, Steve purchased his 1st rental house with his grandmother co-signing the loan.
After graduating from high school, Steve attended the University of Florida for two years. His appetite for business ultimately resulted in Steve’s transfer to Stetson University where he graduated with a Business Administration degree.
Background: Dreams of Law
Steve worked in the citrus fruit business and actively sold real estate after graduating from Stetson. During this time Steve’s brother and brother-in-law both attended Stetson University College of Law. Steve often thought of becoming a lawyer, considering his great grandfather and an uncle had been lawyers. Steve finally decided to try law school after his citrus business went through extremely tough times following a recent freeze that devastated many private owners in the local citrus industry.
Education
Steve attended Stetson University College of Law in St. Pete, Florida and graduated in 1986. He initially thought his love of real estate investing would translate as a love for real estate law. He soon learned that the joy and excitement he felt investing in real estate was completely absent in real estate law. He quickly learned he was more suited for the challenging field of litigation.
Honors
Stephen K. Brooks was selected as one of the Top 100 Trial Lawyers for the State of Florida in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 & 2021 by the National Trial Lawyers association.
• Selected as one of the Top 100 trial lawyers in the State of Florida by the National Trial Lawyers Association each year from 2009 through 2021.
• AV Preeminent Peer Review Rating by Martindale Hubbell. This rating demonstrates a lawyer has earned the highest rating available for legal ability and professional ethics and is voted on by his peers.
• Author of several books related to injury and accident law.
Professional Associations
Stephen K. Brooks is a member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum. It is one of the most prestigious groups of trial lawyers in the United States. Membership is limited to attorneys who have won million and multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements.
• Member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum, of which less than 1% of US lawyers are members.
• Member of Association of Interstate Trucking Lawyers of America.
• Member of the Board of Directors of Tri-County Human Services.
• Member of the Board of Directors of Tri-County Human Services.
• Member Chamber of Commerce, YBOR City, Winter Haven.
• Former member of the Board of Directors of Meals on Wheels.
• Florida Justice Association – Eagle member.
One reason Steve is successful is immediately apparent. He is the rare combination of a “can-do” individual with a no-nonsense approach to getting things done. He cares about the people he represents… and it shows.
Steve maintains his close ties in Winter Haven and is actively involved in his community. Currently, he is a member of the local Chamber of Commerce and he serves on the Board of Directors of Tri-County Human Services, Inc. He has also served on the Board of Directors of Meals on Wheels. Professionally, he is a member of The Florida Bar Association, The Polk County Trial Lawyers Association, an Eagle member of The Florida Justice Association and a member of the Association of Plaintiff Interstate Trucking Lawyers of America. Steve and the members of his law firm are staunch supporters of the Farmworkers Ministry in Auburndale, Florida. Stephen K. Brooks is a Christian Business owner and a member of The C12 Group.
Bar Admissions
• Polk County Trial Lawyers Association.
• The Florida Bar Association.
