Stephen Eugene Budica

Stephen Budica is an Associate Attorney for the Law Offices of Samer Habbas & Associates. Although he was born in Missoula, Montana, Stephen grew up in many different states. He ultimately graduated from high school in Riverside, California.

After high school, Stephen enlisted in the United States Marine Corps, graduating as the Honor Man of his platoon in boot camp. He then served as a Crew Chief on CH-53E Super Stallion helicopters. During his time in the Corps, Stephen deployed to East Timor to aid in the United Nation’s peacekeeping mission after the country voted for its independence from Indonesia. As a crewmember aboard his squadron’s helicopters, Stephen aided in delivering food and supplies to the people of the war-torn country. This experience of witnessing the injustice inflicted upon the East Timorese people led Stephen to want to become a lawyer to fight on behalf of those who could not fight by themselves.

Stephen left the Marine Corps to pursue a legal career, and he attended the University of California, Berkeley. In 2008, he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science with a focus on International Relations. He worked his way through his undergraduate education while at the same time serving as a waiter and bartender to pay for school. These jobs helped hone Stephen’s communication skills that he still utilizes today while zealously representing his clients in court.

Stephen then attended the University of San Diego School of Law, and he received his law degree in 2014. During his time in law school, Stephen tutored first-year law students in Federal Civil Procedure, volunteered in the Veteran’s Clinic, volunteered to mediate cases in small claims court, and he clerked for a Sole Practitioner who specializes in wage and hour class action cases.

Once admitted to the California State Bar, Stephen spent the next 8 years working on the defense side. This experience led Stephen to develop an intimate knowledge of how insurance companies work when it comes to personal injury claims. Stephen utilizes this knowledge to help his clients obtain the compensation they deserve. Stephen employs the fighting spirit he gained in the Marine Corps to fight on behalf of his clients.