Stephen M. Barbas

Stephen M. Barbas is a founding partner at Barbas Nunez Sanders Butler & Hovsepian, whose practice focuses on workers’ compensation, personal injury law, and Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act matters. He has practiced workers’ compensation law in Florida since 1979 and represents both claimants and employers. He is Florida Bar Board Certified in Workers’ Compensation Law, bringing decades of experience with claims, litigation, settlements, and insurer strategies across Florida industries.

Stephen earned his B.S. in Business from Florida State University in 1976 and his J.D. from Loyola University New Orleans in 1979. He graduated in the top 10% of his law school class and served as a published member of the Loyola Law Review. He also attended Stetson University, where he was elected to the Phi Society founded by Phi Beta Kappa. He is admitted to the Florida Bar today.

Stephen began his career handling workers’ compensation defense matters for employers and insurance carriers. That experience informs his current representation by giving him insight into how claims are evaluated, defended, and negotiated. He personally evaluates cases, develops strategy, and represents client interests. His work includes assessing settlement offers, responding to independent medical examination reports, and navigating contested claims involving workplace injuries, benefits, and liability issues under Florida workers’ compensation law.

Stephen M. Barbas is also admitted before the US Supreme Court, the US Courts of Appeals for the Fifth and Eleventh Circuits, and the US District Court for the Middle District of Florida. He is a Fellow of the College of Workers’ Compensation Lawyers and a Florida State Certified Circuit Court Mediator. Fully bilingual in English and Spanish, he can communicate directly with Spanish-speaking clients throughout representation and case preparation.

Law Office Affiliations

• Founding Partner, Barbas Nunez Sanders Butler & Hovsepian
• Member, The Florida Bar
• Member, Sigma Nu Social Fraternity
• Member, Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity
• Secretary, Hillsborough County Bar Association
• Member, Florida Bar, Workers’ Compensation and Trial Lawyers Sections
• Treasurer, Hillsborough County Bar Association, Young Lawyers Section
• Fellow, American Bar Association College of Workers’ Compensation Lawyers
• Member, American Bar Association, Litigation Section, Urban, State and Local Government Law Section

Licensed State

• Florida

Education

• Loyola University New Orleans
  Juris Doctor (JD)
• Florida State University
  B.A. in Business
  

Awards & Badges