A. DAX BELLO, ESQ.
PRESIDENT
Dax Bello is a shareholder at Stewart Tilghman Fox Bianchi & Cain. His practice is devoted to representing plaintiffs in the civil prosecution of wrongful death, catastrophic injury, and other complex matters. He currently serves as board president for CABA Pro Bono Legal Services.
JAVIER A. LEY-SOTO, ESQ.
VICE-PRESIDENT
Currently the Chief Regional Counsel for the Florida Department of Children and Families, Mr. Ley-Soto oversees the general counsel functions of the Department for Miami-Dade and Monroe Counties. He worked at a boutique law firm prior to joining the Department handling commercial litigation matters.
RALPH MACNAMARA, MBA
TREASURER
Ralph MacNamara leads the business development department for Kaufman Rossin, P.A., one of the largest independent accounting firms in Florida and one of the top 100 CPA firms in the country. Ralph provides audit, accounting, tax and advisory services to a variety of public companies, private businesses and entrepreneurs. He serves on the executive committee of the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce, is treasurer of CABA Pro Bono Legal Services and was appointed by U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker to serve on the South Florida District Export Council.
KAREN CESPEDES, ESQ.
SECRETARY
Karen Cespedes is a complex litigation consultant at Esquire Deposition Solutions, LLC, a national provider of deposition management solutions. As a proven sales professional and legal strategist, Karen works with corporations, law firms, attorneys and their teams to effectively manage the deposition process.
LESLEY MENDOZA, ESQ.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Lesley Mendoza joined CABA Pro Bono Legal Services in February 2013 as Executive Director and is responsible for supervising attorneys and all legal services provided by the organization. In addition, she conducts outreach efforts to educate the community on the services provided as well as recruitment and fundraising.
FRANCES GUASCH DE LA GUARDIA, ESQ.
CUBAN AMERICAN BAR ASSOCIATION PRESIDENT
MARIA D. GARCIA, ESQ.
CUBAN AMERICAN BAR ASSOCIATION IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT
Maria D. Garcia is a Partner and Co–Chair of the Healthcare Practice at Kozyak Tropin & Throckmorton, and focuses her practice on health care law and commercial litigation. She received her B.A., magna cum laude, from Florida International University, where she majored in Political Science. She earned her Juris Doctor from Florida International University College of Law.
DANIEL R. MARTINEZ
DIRECTOR
Danniel Martinez has over 25 years of banking experience. Prior to joining Professional Bank, he worked for financial institutions such as Citibank, Union Planters Bank-Private Banking Division and Gibraltar Private Bank & Trust Co. where he serviced and formulated relationships with high net worth individuals and families as well as professionals within the legal, accounting and medical communities.
JOSE FELIX-DIAZ, ESQ.
DIRECTOR
Jose Felix Diaz is a government law attorney. His practice areas include the representation of individuals, non-profits, major corporations, and various other entities before county and municipal boards throughout the State of Florida and beyond in complex matters involving public contract procurement, public private partnership deals and solicitations, litigation, zoning, land use, code compliance and enforcement, energy project development and comprehensive planning.
SERGIO L. MENDEZ, ESQ.
DIRECTOR
Sergio L. Mendez was admitted to the Florida Bar in 1985 and has more than 30 years of experience. He practiced with his late father for 15 years. Though his practice is limited to Guardianship, Probate and Real Property Law, he has handled hundreds of cases across the spectrum of civil litigation.