About Stephen
Stephen R. Southard, JD was born and raised in Cape Girardeau and is licensed to practice in both Missouri (1992) and Illinois (1993). He is also licensed to practice in the U.S. District Courts, Eastern District of Missouri. Mr. Southard is a graduate of the University of Missouri - Columbia (BS 1989) and Memphis State University (JD 1992).
Mr. Southard is also a Municipal Judge for Scott City, M.O., and a domestic mediator. He joined John Layton in 2006 to form Layton & Southard, bringing over 30 years of legal experience to serve Cape Girardeau and Southeast Missouri.
Legal Career Timeline
Early Career (1992-2006)
Stephen began his legal career in Cape Girardeau in 1992 with the Spradling & Spradling firm, where he remained for 14 years, gaining extensive experience in family law, business matters, and general practice.
Joining Layton & Southard (2006)
In 2006, Stephen joined John Layton to form Layton & Southard, combining their complementary skills and experience to better serve the legal needs of Cape Girardeau and Southeast Missouri.
Judicial Appointment
Stephen serves as Municipal Judge for Scott City, Missouri, providing him with unique insight into the judicial process that benefits his clients in all areas of practice.
Education and Background
- Bachelor of Science - University of Missouri - Columbia, 1989
- Juris Doctor - Memphis State University, 1992
- Bar Admissions - Missouri (1992), Illinois (1993)
- Federal Court - U.S. District Courts, Eastern District of Missouri
- Experience - 30+ years practicing law
- Cape Girardeau Native - Born and raised in Cape Girardeau
Areas of Practice
Stephen's practice encompasses multiple areas of law, with particular expertise in:
Family Law
Comprehensive family law services including divorce, child custody, child support, and domestic relations matters.
Mediation
Professional mediation services as a trained domestic mediator, helping families resolve disputes outside of court.
Adoption
Adoption services for families looking to expand through adoption, handling all legal requirements and procedures.
Business and Commercial Law
Commercial and business law matters including contract disputes, business transactions, and commercial litigation.
Real Estate Law
Landlord-tenant law and real estate matters, representing both landlords and tenants in disputes and transactions.
Additional Practice Areas
- Creditors Rights - Debt collection and creditor representation
- Traffic Law - Traffic violations and municipal court matters
- Appellate Work - Appeals in state and federal courts
Judicial and Mediation Service
Municipal Judge - Scott City, Missouri
Stephen serves as Municipal Judge for Scott City, Missouri, presiding over municipal court matters including traffic violations, city ordinance violations, and other municipal issues. This judicial experience provides him with valuable insight into court procedures and helps him better represent his clients.
Domestic Mediator
As a trained domestic mediator, Stephen helps families resolve disputes through mediation rather than costly and emotionally draining court battles. His mediation services include:
- Divorce mediation
- Child custody and visitation disputes
- Property division negotiations
- Post-divorce modifications
Multi-State Practice
Licensed in both Missouri and Illinois, Stephen can represent clients in both states, as well as in federal court in the Eastern District of Missouri. This multi-state capability is particularly valuable for clients with legal matters that cross state lines.
Contact Stephen Southard
With over 30 years of legal experience and deep roots in Cape Girardeau, Stephen Southard provides comprehensive legal services across multiple practice areas, with particular expertise in family law and business matters.
- Phone: 573.335.3359
- Contact us online for a consultation
- Office: Cape Girardeau location