F O R E W O R D
By Caryn A. Stevens
In the eloquent words of Taylor Swift, “it’s been a long time coming.” Or, to put it in terms that Eddie would better understand, “change is coming, now is my time.” (That’s lyrics compliments of the band TOOL, just in case the reference escaped you).
I’m truly honored to write this foreword, for what is the TWENTIETH edition of Stephens’ Squibs. Twenty years is a heck of an accomplishment. It’s certainly no small fete. Think of what you have accomplished, experienced, seen, lived, loved and lost in the last twenty years. Stephens’ Squibs is a labor of love for Eddie, and has evolved and changed over the past two decades. I’ve enjoyed being his so-called editor for part of this twenty-year journey. He has briefed and “squibbed” every single family law case and rule change that has been released in the last twenty years in Florida.
The truth is, I COULD actually have been along for nearly the entire twenty-year ride with Eddie, but he didn’t hire me the first time we met. Yes, you read that correctly. He didn’t hire me. And I know what you’re thinking. How could this have happened? What was he thinking? How did he let this incredible, brilliant, talented attorney slip through his fingers the first time? Ok, I’ll stop there. 🙂
But yes, the true story is that I did, in fact, interview for a job as Eddie’s associate attorney way back in 2007. And he didn’t hire me. End of story; or so you would think!
Meanwhile, our paths went our separate ways, and Eddie hired a string of other attorneys to work for him over the years (none of whom stood the test of time). As I started my career in family law, I would often get asked by other attorneys and judges if I was related to Eddie Stephens. Little did I know this was just the start of an epic “name confusion” journey—and maybe a sign that we’d end up as law partners today. I would smile and say, “no, I’m not related to Eddie,” and “our names are actually spelled differently if you look,” etc. You get the point.
Eddie and I found our way back to each other over ten years later, in 2017, when Eddie finally did hire me this time. Whew! And so began our “Eddie & Caryn saga” and our incredible friendship. I’m forever thankful that fate, and our all-too-similar names, brought us together after all. Since 2017, I’ve had the honor of working alongside Eddie, and admiring what an incredible human being he is. In 2022, we took a leap of faith, and formally opened Stephens & Stevens as law partners. We tried to fight fate, but our similar names found their way back to each other, and now onto the wall of a law firm together.
If you are lucky enough to be in Eddie’s orbit, you know how Eddie inspires others to “do something that matters.” Eddie’s generosity with his time, his contributions, and his efforts is only outshined by his genuine, caring heart. Eddie truly loves what he does. If you spend even just five minutes with Eddie, you’re immediately inspired (or he has you smiling and laughing your a** off).
Eddie loves the clients he helps through difficult circumstances, and he loves the charitable causes he supports that help make this world a better place.
He loves doing magic tricks, eating an undercooked steak, listening to rock music, collecting autographs, tackling new hobbies, and taking on new challenges every day. Eddie fiercely loves his Wife and family, he loves his dogs, and he loves the people he considers his closest friends. I’m so thankful to be in that inner circle, and to be in the “room where it happens.”
TWENTY YEARS. Congrats, my friend. Looking forward to the next twenty! And I promise to write the foreword again when you celebrate FORTY years of Stephens’ Squibs.
This book is dedicated to:
My cousin, William C. Moore
Simply stated, if not for Billy, I would not be an attorney.
Billy cared when others didn’t, and was there to give me the motivation I needed.
Stephens & Stevens Marital & Family Law 