Atty. Stephen E. Palmer
Stephen E. Palmer is a trusted Columbus criminal defense attorney of more than 20 years.
Criminal Defense & More Attorney · Serving Columbus, OH · 31+ Years Experience
Profile Summary
About Stephen E. Palmer at a Glance
Stephen E. Palmer is a Principal based in Columbus, Ohio, practicing at Yavitch & Palmer Co., L.P.A.. They have 31+ years of legal experience, licensed to practice since 1995. Their practice focuses on dui/dwi, car accidents, drug crimes, criminal defense, and federal crimes. Admitted to practice in Ohio (1995), U.S. District Court, Southern District of Ohio (1996), U.S. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit (1998), and Texas (2001). Educated at Capital University (J.D., 1995) and College of Wooster (B.A. History, 1992). Recognitions include AV Preeminent. Active member of Columbus, Ohio State and American (Member, Criminal Section) Bar Associations National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. Serves clients in Columbus, OH and the surrounding metropolitan area.
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About Stephen E. Palmer
- Stephen E. Palmer is a trusted Columbus criminal defense attorney of more than 20 years
- He has developed a distinctive approach to criminal defense work by making a sincere effort to know each of his clients on a personal level
- Steve recognizes that no two cases are the same, and neither are his clients’ needs
- He believes that criminal defense isn’t just about representing a client in court
- it’s about helping clients craft solutions to their problems
- Steve reaches solutions through careful contemplation of all facets of a client’s problems—not just the black and white legal issues
- After more than 20 years counseling clients and countless jury trials, Steve is comfortable and capable of handling any matter inside (and outside) the courtroom
- He draws upon his vast experience to find the right experts, investigators, and consultants to meet the needs of each individual case and client
- And when confronted with problems outside his practice area, he can help find the right person for the job
- He has an extensive referral network of attorneys who practice other areas of the law.
- Steve has been included in the Ohio Super Lawyers list for the last six years and was included in Columbus Business First’s 20 People to Know in 2014
- He is also a long-standing member of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL)
- Steve remains active in the Ohio State Bar Association, speaking regularly on various criminal defense topics, ranging from evidence, trial practice, ethics, and virtually any other area of criminal law
- For the past 10 years, Steve has also provided the Columbus radio audience with legal input on several local morning radio shows
- He currently appears weekly on the highly- rated morning show on 99.7 The Blitz
- He has provided countless callers with legal (and non-legal) insight on a wide range of problems
- He joined Eric J. Yavitch, in 1997 to form Yavitch & Palmer, located in downtown Columbus, Ohio
- Steve works in all aspects of criminal defense, from OVI/DUI charges to white collar crimes to child abuse and domestic violence
- He has practiced in courts all over the State of Ohio and in federal courts in Ohio and elsewhere
- He has provided consulting services for other attorneys involved in all types of criminal cases
- And he is willing to travel to offer help to solve clients’ problems anywhere
- In 1995, Steve earned his law degree, magna cum laude, from Capital University
- While in law school, he began working in the criminal defense field as a clerk for R. William Meeks, a distinguished criminal attorney
- Steve completed his undergraduate work at the College of Wooster where he participated in varsity football and track
- He studied Anglo-legal history, graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in History
- Aside from law, Steve is an avid outdoorsman
- He enjoys hunting, shooting, and virtually any other activity that puts him in touch with nature and the woods
- With a background in construction, he also enjoys the quiet solitude of carpentry and woodworking
- And when not in the courtroom, woods, or workshop, he enjoys classical guitar and continues with regular instruction and occasional performance
Practice Areas Explained
Stephen E. Palmer's Areas of Legal Practice
Each practice area below reflects the types of cases Stephen E. Palmer handles, with a practical overview of what that area of law involves and how it may apply to your situation in Columbus.
DUI / DWI Defense in Columbus
Find experienced DUI and DWI defense attorneys near you. Compare verified profiles, read client reviews, and consult about your case for free.
Stephen E. Palmer is one of 29,739 dui/dwi attorneys indexed nationally. Browse dui/dwi attorneys in Ohio →
Car Accidents in Columbus
Hurt in a car crash? Car accident lawyers fight insurance companies for fair compensation — free consult, no fee unless you win.
Stephen E. Palmer is one of 36,434 car accidents attorneys indexed nationally. Browse car accidents attorneys in Ohio →
Drug Crimes in Columbus
Stephen E. Palmer is one of 6,914 drug crimes attorneys indexed nationally. Browse drug crimes attorneys in Ohio →
Criminal Defense in Columbus
A criminal defense attorney protects your rights from arrest through trial. Find experienced lawyers handling DUI, drug, federal, theft, and violent-crime charges.
Stephen E. Palmer is one of 212,605 criminal defense attorneys indexed nationally. Browse criminal defense attorneys in Ohio →
Federal Crimes in Columbus
Stephen E. Palmer is one of 6,716 federal crimes attorneys indexed nationally. Browse federal crimes attorneys in Ohio →
Jurisdictional Context
Why Local Counsel Matters in Columbus
Practicing law in Ohio. Legal matters in Ohio are governed by state-specific rules of civil and criminal procedure, statutes of limitations, and substantive law. Cases originating in Columbus are typically filed in the local municipal court or the appropriate Ohio state district court, depending on subject matter and amount in controversy. An attorney licensed in Ohio brings working knowledge of local procedural deadlines, judicial practices in this venue, and the substantive law that applies to cases brought here. Out-of-state attorneys generally cannot represent clients in Ohio courts without local counsel or pro hac vice admission.
Columbus Courts and Legal Process
Choosing a Columbus-based attorney means your counsel already knows the local docketing timelines, preferred filing formats, and how individual judges typically rule on procedural motions — details that only come from practicing in this jurisdiction day after day. That local familiarity can translate to better strategy, faster filings, and fewer costly surprises.
Looking for additional Ohio attorneys? Browse all attorneys in Columbus or all attorneys in Ohio.
Frequently Asked
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Professional Profile
Why Clients in Columbus Choose Stephen E. Palmer
Selecting an attorney is one of the most consequential decisions you can make when a legal matter arises. Below are the core qualities that distinguish Stephen E. Palmer's practice in the field of dui/dwi, car accidents, drug crimes, criminal defense, and federal crimes.
Decade-Tested Legal Experience
Stephen E. Palmer brings 31+ years of hands-on legal practice — enough to have navigated the recurring fact patterns, procedural traps, and negotiation dynamics that shape case outcomes.
Multi-State Bar Admission
Licensed in Ohio, U.S. District Court, Southern District of Ohio, and U.S. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit, Stephen E. Palmer can represent clients in cases that span state lines or require counsel in multiple jurisdictions.
Broad Practice Area Coverage
Covering dui/dwi, car accidents, and drug crimes, Stephen E. Palmer can address the full spectrum of a client's legal needs without requiring referrals to separate specialists for each issue.
Local Presence in Columbus
A Columbus-based practice means Stephen E. Palmer attends hearings in the same courthouses, knows the local clerks, and understands the unwritten scheduling norms that affect every case filed here.
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Stephen E. Palmer's Practice Areas & Specializations
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