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Stephen E. Penner graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1971 with a Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering and a minor in Mathematics. After graduation, he served in the Vietnam War as a Gunnery Officer on the USS Turner Joy from 1971-1973. Upon his return stateside, Stephen completed his remaining two years of Naval Service in San Diego as First Division Officer on the USS Prairie, as Shore Patrol Officer for Long Beach Naval Station, and instructed Naval Gunfire Support to the Marines in Little Creek, Virginia. Upon completion of his Naval Duty in 1975, Stephen E. Penner attended California Western School of Law. After 2 vigorous years, Steve graduated with a Juris Doctor Degree from Cal Western in 1977. He passed the Bar that same year and moved to Santa Barbara to open up his first law office and has been in private practice ever since.
From 1977-1990, Stephen built up his practice and expanded his client base by primarily working on Criminal Defense, Family Law, and Personal Injury cases. With the help of a dedicated staff, Stephen expanded his practice to include Estate Planning, Trust & Probate Litigation, Bankruptcy, Civil Litigation, Real Estate, and Product Liability claims.
Penner & Purves have represented over 8,000 clients in the Tri-Counties and offer a multitude of legal expertise. For nearly 35 years the firm has been dedicated to serving the community by offering personal representation with a commitment to professional integrity. Penner & Purves offers representation that is result-oriented, and reasonably priced.
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Practice Areas
49 years
49 years
49 years
49 years
Free Consultation
$0 first 30 minutes
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Chat withState: California
Acquired: 1977
Lawyer disciplined by state licensing authority in 1990
1215 De La Vina St Ste K, Santa Barbara, CA, 93101
27 Client Reviews
Showing 1 - 5 of 8 reviews | Staff & Support
Posted by KATHLEEN | October 25, 2020 | Hired Attorney | Divorce & Separation
Thank-you!
Stephen Penner and Jeremy Purves are extremely professional attorneys. They helped me through a very difficult, complicated divorce. Their exceptional knowledge, legal experience, extensive legal skills and respectful supportive staff were always there to assist and guide me through my divorce with...
Posted by anonymous | May 03, 2017 | Hired Attorney | Family
Fantastic advocate for small businesses
I understand that Mr Penner is a great family law attorney, but he is also a fantastic negotiator and advocate for small businesses. He saved me a lot of money, anxiety and stress when my business partner and I were in a tough spot earlier this year. He saved us over $30,000 dollars + legal fees, a p...
Posted by Chris | October 26, 2016 | Hired Attorney | Estate Planning
Deepest Gratitude
I went to Mr. Penner to help with my Aunt's estate documents. I am in deep gratitude to him and his legal staff for the exemplary work they did on our behalf. The fact that they went out of their way to expedite our request and to make a personal visit to our home was greatly appreciated and unexpect...
Posted by alberta | May 27, 2015 | Family
Outstanding, Hard working, listings to your concerns, is willing to go the extra miles to keep your child safe.
My daughter had a very complex case that involved Dependency/Juvenile, Criminal and Family Courts. There were elemments of domestic violence, Child Abuse and most importantly the safety of my only grandchild was at risk.. Throw in a move away order and a restraining order and you have a complex cas...
Posted by Vernice | February 06, 2015 | Family
Heaven-sent
Suffering from a quivering heart, in trouble with life, is like being a wounded animal or child seeking help, refuge, and shelter from a storm of rain, hail, and hard wind; we're knocked off balance and crying out for a helpful hand. I found that helpful hand and friend in Attorney Penner. I felt...
"Attorney Stephen E. Penner is extremely competent, experienced and hard-working. I have worked together with him on cases for over 30 years, and he has always obtained exceptional results with optimal client satisfaction. We have worked together on complex cases involving a huge amounts of legal research and preparation. He has been a pleasure to work with, and has always been extremely conscientious and considerate of the clients' needs and interests. John Henry Hunter, Esq."
"I endorse this lawyer. Family law is not easy. That is why I do not do it. Steve has the patience to listen to the complaints and work to find a solution. Not many lawyers can do that."
"I endorse this lawyer wholeheartedly after knowing and watchng him practice law for 35+ years. He is not afraid to take on the difficult cases and when he does, the diligence and committment that I have seen devoted to such cases is impressive. He has fought for justice against the largest corporations for product defects and in other areas of the law, where his client has suffered grievously from fraud or some other kind civil wrong, he has gone the distance and usually won. In another recent case, he prevailed on behalf of grandparents who were denied visitation with their grandchildren when they would be the only stable influence in the children's lives. I have noted how Steve has become more selective in the cases he accepts and now realize how this has allowed him to go the extra mile in the sometimes very difficult cases that he does accept. If you have Steve Penner as your attorney, you will be in very good and competent hands. I recommend him highly.l"
"Mr. Penner is an excellent trial lawyer, family law practitioner, and regularly and capably handles trust and estate matters. He and I recently worked together on a Will Contest during which he successfully presented our case at trial, and we prevailed. I wholeheartedly endorse Mr. Penner"
"I endorse this lawyer. Stephen Penner is extremely experienced and represents his clients diligently and effectively."
Criminal defense lawyer
Family lawyer
Estate planning lawyer
Personal injury lawyer
Class action lawyer
Personal injury lawyer
This lawyer was disciplined by a state licensing authority in 1990.
Discipline with Actual Suspension issued in CA, 1990
updated on 01/20/2016This sanction means the attorney lost his or her license to practice law for a period of time. The attorney typically returns to practicing law when the suspension expires.
Discipline with Actual Suspension issued in CA, 1986
updated on 01/20/2016This sanction means the attorney lost his or her license to practice law for a period of time. The attorney typically returns to practicing law when the suspension expires.
2007
Annual Award, Vietnam Veterans of America
1998
Trial Lawer, Santa Clara Bar Association
1977 - Present
Senior Attorney, The Law Offices of Stephen E. Penner, PC
2004 - Present
La Tierra Owners AssociationPresident & In-House Legal Counsel
1995 - Present
Vietnam Veterans of AmericaMember
1992 - Present
Military Order of World Wars (MOWW)Member
1977 - Present
Santa Barbara County Bar AssociationMember
2012 - 2013
Veterans Coordinating CouncilPresident
2005 - 2005
National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy AttorneysMember
2005 - 2010
Military Order of World Wars (MOWW)Judge Advocate
2004 - 2008
Santa Ynez Valley HoundsPresident
2000 - 2002
California Public Defenders AssociationMember
1992 - 1994
Santa Barbara County Riding ClubPresident
1988 - 1995
Hearts Therapeutic Equestrian CenterLegal Counsel
Grandparent Visitation Awarded to Paternal Grandmother
1977
JD - Juris Doctor
1971
BS - Bachelor of Science
2014
Guest lecturer at Dos Pueblos High School
2014
Guest lecturer at Santa Barbara High School
2014
Guest lecturer at San Marcus High School
2013
Guest lecturer at University California Santa Barbara
2012
Guest lecturer at Carpinteria High School
2012
Guest lecturer at University California Santa Barbara
2005
Stress Management for Lawyers
2014
1986
English
Legal Answers
Court fee for summary dissolution is $435 for each spouse or $435 for both the spouses?
03 Nov 2014
Do you have to serve a restraining order in person or can you mail it. What is the process in regards to a restraining order.
03 Nov 2014
Is joint custody automatic? Until a court orders custody a certain way, do both parents have equal rights to have equal custody?
03 Nov 2014