Atty. Stephen Tatum
Stephen was raised in the Florida Panhandle, attending and graduating from Altha High School in Calhoun County. Stephen went on to attend Chipola College in Marianna before graduating with honors from the University of Florida with a B.S. in Public Relations.
Land Use & More Attorney · Serving Destin, FL · 7+ Years Experience
Profile Summary
About Stephen Tatum at a Glance
Stephen Tatum is an Attorney based in Destin, Florida, practicing at Matthews & Matthews Attorneys at Law. They have 7+ years of legal experience, licensed to practice since 2019. Their practice focuses on zoning. Admitted to practice in Florida (2019). Educated at Florida State College of Law (J.D., 2016) and University of Florida (B.S. Public, 2002). Serves clients in Destin, FL and the surrounding metropolitan area.
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About Stephen Tatum
- Stephen was raised in the Florida Panhandle, attending and graduating from Altha High School in Calhoun County
- Stephen went on to attend Chipola College in Marianna before graduating with honors from the University of Florida with a B.S. in Public Relations
- He then, during the height of the housing boom, went to work in his family's residential construction business for several years, before eventually taking a job with the City of Marianna as a city planner in 2007
- In 2013, Stephen was accepted to the Florida State University College of Law and graduated with his Juris Doctor in 2016
- During his time in law school, he interned with both the FDOT General Counsel in Tallahassee and with Matthews and Jones, LLP in both its Destin and Niceville offices
- After graduating from law school, Stephen and his family moved to Niceville and he accepted a position with Matthews and Jones in its Destin office, where he focuses primarily on REAL ESTATE development, land use, and local government-related legal and planning issues in and around Okaloosa, Walton, and bay counties
- Stephen's experience in both the construction and city planning arenas, along with his close ties to north Florida, has garnered him a wealth of knowledge , experience, and a particularized understanding of the intricacies associated with REAL ESTATE development work
Practice Areas Explained
Stephen Tatum's Areas of Legal Practice
Each practice area below reflects the types of cases Stephen Tatum handles, with a practical overview of what that area of law involves and how it may apply to your situation in Destin.
Land Use & Zoning in Destin
Stephen Tatum is one of 39,875 zoning attorneys indexed nationally. Browse zoning attorneys in Florida →
Jurisdictional Context
Why Local Counsel Matters in Destin
Practicing law in Florida. Legal matters in Florida are governed by state-specific rules of civil and criminal procedure, statutes of limitations, and substantive law. Cases originating in Destin are typically filed in the local municipal court or the appropriate Florida state district court, depending on subject matter and amount in controversy. An attorney licensed in Florida 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 Florida courts without local counsel or pro hac vice admission.
Destin Courts and Legal Process
Choosing a Destin-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 Florida attorneys? Browse all attorneys in Destin or all attorneys in Florida.
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Professional Profile
Why Clients in Destin Choose Stephen Tatum
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 Tatum's practice in the field of zoning.
7+ Years of Legal Practice
With 7 years in the profession, Stephen Tatum has developed the procedural fluency and courtroom instincts that come from handling real cases under real deadlines.
Focused Zoning Practice
Concentrating on zoning means Stephen Tatum's knowledge of relevant statutes, case law, and procedural nuances stays current — unlike generalist practices that spread attention across unrelated fields.
Local Presence in Destin
A Destin-based practice means Stephen Tatum 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 Tatum's Practice Areas & Specializations
Education & Law School Background
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