Justia Legal Services & Lawyers Directory

Experienced trial lawyer in criminal defense, dui and civil matters. Also providing representation in foreclosure defense for distressed homeowners.

Eminent Domain and Property Rights Litigation.
Real Estate Litigation.
Real Estate Closings and Title Policies.
Member Eminent Domain Committee, The Florida Bar.
Former Senior Attorney with State of Florida Department of Transportation.
BS in Engineering from the University of Florida (1977).

Melanie is a founding attorney of Decker & Campbell, PL, which is a boutique law firm located in downtown Fort Lauderdale that focuses on estate planning, family law and real estate litigation. Decker & Campbell is a client centered law firm that strives to provide excellent legal services at reasonable prices. Melanie makes it a top priority to listen to her clients and understand their needs and wishes. She strives to work with her clients to best achieve the goal of each individual client.

For more information, please visit our website at www.legalcounselflorida.com

Steve Cody was born in Massachusetts, but has has lived in Florida almost all of his life. He received his Bachelor's degree from Florida State University and then went on to receive his Juris Doctor degree from the University of Florida College of Law.

Steve concentrates his practice in the areas of litigation and appellate work. He is a member of the Florida Bar and is admitted to practice before all of the Florida courts, as well as the United States Supreme Court, the United States Circuit Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, the United States Circuit Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit, and the Middle and Southern Districts of Florida.

After graduating law school, Steve served as a legislative aide to Representative William E. Sadowski. Sadowski was a member of the Florida House. While with the Legislature, Steve helped to author the Florida Voting Rights Act and the Florida Limited Liability Company Act, among other pieces of legislation. He worked on the sunset review of various parts of the Florida Statutes, including the Florida Insurance Code and the Regulated Industries (Gaming) Code. He was also extensively involved in the reapportionment of the Florida House, Florida Senate, and United States Congressional districts for Florida.

Since entering private practice he has represented the Florida House of Representatives during the period 2001-2004, the Gore/Lieberman campaign in 2000, and the City of Miami. Past and present representative clients include the Royal Bank of Canada, Refco Group, Paine Webber, Banco de Balboa, Banco de Santander, Banco Exterior de Espana, AIG, former Congresswoman Carrie Meek, Rhode Island Hospital Trust, Cessna Finance Corporation, Sears, Dun & Bradstreet, and AT&T. Steve has also represented numerous persons with disabilities and organizations concerned with the rights of the disabled under the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Martindale-Hubbell has rated Steve as an "A-V" attorney recognizing him as a lawyer with pre-eminent legal abilities, reflecting his overall expertise, experience, integrity, and professionalism.
Significant reported cases include: In re Constitutionality of House Joint Resolution 25E, 863 So.2d 1176 (Fla. 2003); Martinez v. Bush, 234 F.Supp.2d 1275 (S.D. Fla. 2002); Florida Senate v. Forman, 826 So.2d 279 (Fla. 2002); In re: Constitutionality of House Joint Resolution 1987, 817 So.2d 819 (Fla. 2002); Brown v. Butterworth, 831 So.2d 683 (Fla. 4th DCA 2002); Shotz v. City of Plantation, 248 F.3d 1180 (11th Cir. 2001); Meek v. Metropolitan Dade County, 985 F.2d 1471 (11th Cir. 1993); Meek v. Metropolitan Dade County, 805 F.Supp 967 (S.D. Fla. 1992); 1401 Brickell Associates, Ltd. v. Stinson, Lyons & Schuette, P.A, 522 So.2d 459 (Fla. 3d DCA 1988); Lowy v Roberts, 453 So.2d 886 (Fla. 3d DCA 1984).
Because of Steve's unswerving efforts to bring fairness to the way in which members of the Miami-Dade County Commissioners were elected, the very Commission that Steve forced to reform, proclaimed May 18, 1993 as "Stephen Cody Day" in Miami-Dade County.
Representative news articles that have focused on cases Steve has been involved in include:
"Battle Over Political Maps Pricey", The Miami Herald, April 23, 2002, page 3B.

"Trip to Polls can be so Difficult Disabled Often Do Not Vote", Orlando Sentinel, March 28, 2001.

Obstacles at Polls Spur Disabled Voters to Consider Lawsuit", Orlando Sentinel, Mar 28, 2001, page A1.

"PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION: Disabled Say Florida Makes Voting Difficult", The National Law Journal, December 11, 2000.

"Rare Hospitality?", The Miami Herald, February 27, 2000, page 1B.

"Deals and The Ballot: Miami Vote Could Help Carollo Foes Living Outside City", The Miami Herald, October 31, 1999, page 1A.

"Disabled Rally Against Eviction of Party Boat from Miamarina", The Miami Herald, August 19, 1999, page 3B.

"Suarez Launches His Comeback Bid: Lawyers Seek Review Of Court Decision Naming Carollo Mayor", March 18, 1998, page 1B.
"When is House not a Home?", Miami New Times, June 19, 1997.

"Experts Predict Lots of Challenges to Minority Voting Districts in View of the Ruling Against Race-Based Districts, Fights are Likely at All Levels of Government", Orlando Sentinel, July 1, 1995, page A14.

"Historic Shift in Store for School Board", The Miami Herald, November 22, 1994, page 1A.
"He fought for right and changed the state of politics", The Miami Herald, April 26, 1993, page 13A.

"Judge Orders Single Member Districts In Dade: The Federal Order Will Give Hispanics the Most Commissioners with Whites and Blacks Dividing the Rest", (Associated Press) Orlando Sentinel. Dec. 24, 1992, page. B.5.

Maternity Creates Pregnant Pause: Expectant Employees Face Volitile Workplace Face Workplace Bias, Studies Says", Chicago Tribune, July 28, 1991, page 1.

"Reform Now or ...", The Miami Herald, December 19, 1990, page 20A.
EDUCATION:

Florida State University, Bachelor of Science
(with dual majors in Government and English)

University of Florida, Juris Doctor
PROFESSIONAL:
The Florida Bar
The American Bar Association
United States Supreme Court
United States Circuit Court, Fifth Judicial Circuit
United States Circuit Court, Eleventh Judicial Circuit
United States District Court, Southern District of Florida
United States District Court, Middle District of Florida