Profile Summary
About Steven Diebenow at a glance
Steven Diebenow is a real estate, zoning, and government attorney based in Jacksonville, Florida, practicing at Driver, McAfee, Hawthorne & Diebenow PLLC. They have 31+ years of legal experience, licensed to practice since 1995. Admitted to practice in Florida (1995). Educated at University of Florida (J.D. with Honors, 1994) and University of Florida (B.S., 1991). Recognitions include Lawyer of the Year — Government Relations Practice (Jacksonville) (2026), Best Lawyers in America — Government Relations Practice (2026), and Best Lawyers in America — Land Use and Zoning Law (2026). Serands clients in Jacksonville, FL and the surrounding metropolitan area.
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About
- Mr. Diebenow is a partner at the firm
- His primary focus is real estate, land use, zoning, and government law
- As a registered lobbyist across a wide range of issues, Mr. Diebenow represents individuals, corporations, landowners and developers to secure business and development incentives as well as entitlements including land use, zoning, concurrency and mobility fee approvals
- He also provides legal counsel in real estate transactions including the acquisition, entitlement, financing, and development of all types of commercial and residential properties
- Mr. Diebenow began his professional career on the legislative staff of U.S
- Senator Bob Graham in Washington, D.C
- He went on to practice land use, zoning and environmental law at Rogers, Towers, Bailey, Jones & Gay, P.A., where he became a partner
- Mr. Diebenow served as counsel to John Peyton in his successful campaign for mayor of Jacksonville and subsequently served on Mayor Peyton’s staff, first as Chief of Policy and Planning and then as Chief of Staff
- At the Mayor’s direction, Mr. Diebenow led special projects such as: negotiating economic development incentive agreements and workouts
- acquisition, disposition and redevelopment of properties involving local, state and federal agencies
- and the attempted reconversion of a military airbase during the federal BRAC process
- After leaving the Mayor’s Office, Mr. Diebenow was named a Principal at Rock Creek Capital, an alternative asset investment and management firm that has invested in land and timber for 20 years
- He was actively involved in identifying, negotiating and structuring real estate investments
Practice Areas Explained
Steven Diebenow's Areas of Practice
Each practice area below reflects the types of cases Steven Diebenow handles, with a brief overview of what that area of law covers.
Real estate attorneys handle home purchases, sales, commercial transactions, title disputes, and landlord-tenant matters.
Steven Diebenow is one of 316,149 real estate attorneys indexed nationally. Browse real estate attorneys in Florida →
Steven Diebenow is one of 40,226 zoning attorneys indexed nationally. Browse zoning attorneys in Florida →
Attorneys for administrative law, agency hearings, government contracts, licensing, and public benefits.
Steven Diebenow is one of 132,225 government attorneys indexed nationally. Browse government attorneys in Florida →
Jurisdictional Context
Why local counsel matters in Florida
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 Jacksonville 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 andnue, 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.
Looking for additional Florida attorneys? Browse all attorneys in Jacksonville or all attorneys in Florida.
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