Local Attorney, Eddie Stephens, enjoys local arts, good food.

Originally Published in the Palm Beach Post.

Lawyer Eddie Stephens, 41, began his career as an attorney for the Palm Beach County Property Appraiser’s Office, where he handled litigation and value adjustment hearings. Now, he’s an attorney at Ward Damon of West Palm Beach, focusing on disputed divorces with one overriding goal: to lessen the impact of divorce on children.

The Florida native’s personal mission is to “do something that matters.” He is past chair and president of Delta Sigma Pi’s Leadership Foundation, has raised over $20,000 for the Muscular Dystrophy Association, and has a scholarship named after him.  He is a past distinguished president of the Kiwanis Club of Flagler Sunrise, serves as an adult leader for the Boy Scouts of America and has logged more than 100 hours reading to children with the Palm Beach County Library’s “Let’s Read” program.

He’s also a popular law lecturer and a motivational speaker. He’ll give a free lecture, “The Ordinary Secret for Living an Extraordinary Life, on Sept. 17 to raise awareness for the Big Dog Ranch Rescue.

Stephens is married to, Jacquie Smolak, and has two sons, Christopher, 14, and Matthew, 11. They live in Glen Ridge.

Here are a few of his favorites:

Favorite breakfast place?

My kitchen.  I have chickens so we have fresh eggs every morning.  My specialty, fried egg, cheese, ham on a toasted English muffin.

Favorite Happy Hour spot?

Don’t go out often, but when I do it’s usually to meet friends at the Brass Ring Pub.   Frozen glasses and great burgers!

Favorite lunch spot?

P.A. BBQ. Best BBQ in town, well at least the best you can buy.

Favorite place for a business lunch?

City Cellar in City Place.  I always run into someone I know there.

Eddie Ste[hens dines at Howley’s. Restaurant.

Favorite place for Sunday brunch?

The Sundy House in Delray Beach.   Natural pools, beautiful gardens and an unbelievable Bloody Mary station!

Favorite romantic restaurant?

Again, the Sundy House.  At night there is a different ambience where it looks like a tropical rain forest all lit up.  Great venue for a romantic dinner for two.  Especially on a cool dry evening where you can eat outside in one of the many secluded areas within the gardens.

Favorite take-out or order in?

Havana Restaurant.  Best Cuban food North of Miami.

Favorite live music venue?

Mizner Park in Boca.  You don’t even need to buy a ticket, just bring a lawn chair.

Favorite park?

My dog’s say; “Okeeheelee Dog Park”.

Favorite gallery or museum?

History of Museum of Palm Beach located in the restored Courthouse.  Admission is free and it offers a lot of local history and rotating exhibits.

Favorite grocery or green market?

Buying sushi grade Tuna sashimi at Carmine’s in Palm Beach Gardens is always a treat.

 Favorite fine-dining restaurant?

Okeechobee Steak House.  They also sell their steak knives in sets which are used in my house quite often.

Favorite theater or venue?

Lake Worth Playhouse.  Great way to support local artists.

Favorite restaurant to take out of town guests?

Guanabanas’ in Jupiter.  Really captures the South Florida atmosphere.  Great place to take pictures.  Lots of aquatic activities nearby.

Favorite tourist-y place to take out of towners?

Lion County Safari.  The giraffe tower is awesome!

Favorite family outing.

Camping with my boys.  So many incredible state parks nearby, including Jonathan Dickinson (primitive), Lion Country Safari or even Peanut Island!

 Favorite boutique or store for browsing or buying?

Confusion Records in Pam Beach Gardens.  I am a huge music fan, and I can spend hours browsing old records without even realizing it.

 Favorite way to spend a Sunday afternoon?

Relaxing with my family.  Maybe lighting up the smoker and cooking some great BBQ for my favorite people.

 Why you love living in Palm Beach County?

I am a 3rd generation Floridian and could not imagine living where it is cold.  Palm Beach offers pretty much anything you could ever need within a 20 minute drive.