EDUCATION and TRAINING
University of Miami School of Law
Juris Doctor, cum laude, 1986
Distinctions and Activities:
Moot Court Board (1985-86); President, International Law Society (1985-86); Education Chair, International Law Society (1984-85); Founding President, Health and Law Society (1985-86); Founding Member, Maritime Law Society (1984-86); Regional First Place, American Bar Association, Client Counseling Competition (1985-86); First Place, University of Miami, Client Counseling Competition (1985-86); First Place, Freshman Moot Court Competition (1984); Dean’s List
Florida International University
Masters of Public Administration, cum laude, 1983
Concentration in the administration and evaluation of health agencies
All but thesis towards Masters of Community Psychology
Concentration in organizational analysis of health facilities
Awarded Fellowship Scholarship 1980
Biscayne College (now St Thomas University)
Bachelors of Arts, summa cum laude, 1978
Distinctions and Activities:
Double majors in Psychology and Political Science; Dean’s List; Highest general average; Political Action Club; graduated at age of 19 while working through school
Harvard University
John F. Kennedy School of Public Policy
Leadership Training Program, 2001
National Hispana Leadership Institute
Leadership Training Program (2001-2002)
Center for Creative Leadership
Leadership Training Program, 2001
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Law Office of Maria L. Rubio, P.A., Miami, Florida
2011 to present
President of a firm practicing in diverse areas of general civil litigation and trial practice in State and Federal courts including the prosecution of professional malpractice cases, products liability cases, brain and spinal cord injury, birth defect, automobile and trucking accidents, construction site accidents, aviation cases, maritime cases, nursing home and assisted living facility claims, insurance litigation, toxic chemical litigation, appellate advocacy in commercial and personal injury matters.
Ratzan and Rubio, P.A. (f/k/a Ratzan and Alters), Miami, Florida
2005 to 2011
General civil litigation and trial practice, nationally in State and Federal courts including the prosecution of professional malpractice cases, products liability cases, automobile and trucking accidents, construction site accidents, aviation cases, maritime cases, nursing home and assisted living facility cases, insurance litigation, toxic chemical litigation, appellate advocacy in commercial and personal injury matters
Leesfield Leighton & Rubio, P.A., Miami, Florida
1993-2005, Shareholder
General civil litigation as described below, additionally responsibility for supervision of associates and other staff related to firm management
Leesfield & Blackburn, P.A., Miami, Florida
1986-1993, Associate
General civil litigation and trial practice, nationally in State and Federal courts including the prosecution of professional malpractice cases, products liability cases, automobile and trucking accidents, construction site accidents, aviation cases, maritime cases, nursing home and assisted living facility cases, insurance litigation, toxic chemical litigation, lender liability actions, pension plan and ERISA disputes, appellate advocacy in commercial and personal injury matters
Honorable C. Clyde Atkins
United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida
1985, Judicial Intern
Performed legal research, summarized pleadings and briefs, assisted in the drafting of documents
Daniels & Hicks, P.A., Miami, Florida
1984, Law Clerk
Performed legal research, drafted documents, pleadings, memoranda and appellate briefs
Dade Monroe Mental Health Board, Miami, Florida
1979-1983, Senior Mental Health Planner
Responsibilities included: interpretation and enforcement of federal and state statutes, regulations and codes; authorized District plans for the delivery and provision of mental health and alcohol abuse services in Dade and Monroe counties, review of grant applications and allocated funds to mental health and alcohol programs, monitored, inspected, evaluated and provided trouble shooting to 23 mental health and alcohol programs, drafted federal grant applications for the creation and funding of community mental health centers, staff to the board and committees including the minority services and grant review committees
BAR MEMBERSHIP
The Florida Bar (1986 to present)
Grievance Committee 11J , Chair (1994-1995)
Grievance Committee 11J , Vice Chair (1993-1994)
Grievance Committee 11J (1992-1995)
Continuing Legal Education Committee (2004-2006)
United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida (1986 to present)
United States Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit (1986 to present)
PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS AND POSITIONS
Florida Justice Association f/k/a Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers (1986 to present)
Board of Directors (1990-1997)
Academy Liaison to CABA (1991-1992)
Continuing Legal Education Committee
Chairperson (1990-1991)
Vice Chairperson (1989-1990)
Annual Convention Chairperson (1989-1990)
Eagle Oversight Review Board (1990)
Insurance Task Force (1992 to 2000)
Co-Chair (1995)
EAGLE (1989 to present)
FLAG Trustee (1995)
Dade County Elections Committee (1992-1993)
Dade County Elections Committee, Vice Chair (1993-1994)
American Association for Justice f/k/a Association of Trial Lawyers of America (1986 to present)
The American Trial Lawyers Association (2009)
Cuban American Bar Association (1986 to present)
Board of Directors (2003 -2004, 2004-2005)
Chair, San Carlos Institute and Historical Committee (2004)
Florida Association of Women Lawyers (1986 to present)
Senior Judges Review Committee (2004 to present)
American Bar Association (1990 to present)
Catholic Lawyers Guild (1987 to present)
Coral Gables Bar Association (1996 to present)
Hispanic National Bar Association (1994 to present)
South Miami/Kendall Bar Association
Dade County Bar Association (1986 to present)
Miami-Dade Justice Association f/k/a Dade County Trial Lawyers (1986 to present)
Broward County Hispanic Bar Association (2002 to present)
Broward County Bar Association (2010 to present)
Miami Lakes Bar Association (2010 to present)
University of Miami School of Law, Building Bridges Program (1997)
Mentoring Attorney Professionalism Program (2000 to present)
Give Something Back Pro Bono Project (1995 to present)
Cuban American Bar Pro Bono Project (1986 to present)
PROFESSIONAL DISTINCTIONS
National Hispana Leadership Institute, Scholarship Recipient, Class of 2001
American Board of Trial Advocates (2000 to present)
Florida Justice Association f/k/a Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers
Award of Distinction, “Hogan’s Heroes” (1993)
Award of Distinction, “Shoe Leather Award” (1994)
Award of Distinction, Eagle Talon Award (1990)
Award of Distinction, Outstanding Membership Recognition (1989)
Eugene Spellman-William Hoeveler American Inn of Court (1997 to present)
Preeminent Women Lawyers, 2011, Martindale Hubbell
National Trial Lawyers f/k/a American Trial Lawyers Association, Top 100 Trial Lawyers, 2009-2011
South Florida’s Top Lawyers” Florida Trend Magazine, 2001 to 2004, 2006, 2009, 2010
Florida Legal Elite, 2004, 2005, 2009, 2010
Florida Super Lawyers 2009, 2010
AV® Peer Review Rated by Martindale-Hubbell®
Who’s Who Among Practicing Attorneys
Million Dollars Advocate Forum (1999 to present)
PROFESSIONAL PUBLICATIONS
“Direct Examination: Presenting a Believable and Compelling Client,” Trial Magazine, Vol. 40, No. 10 (October 2004)
“Defective Design of Occupant Protection Systems,” Journal of the Florida Justice Association, Nov/Dec 2010
LECTURER/PRESENTER
Advanced Judicial College – “Medical Malpractice” (May 2010)
Instructor, Florida International University, Legal Studies Institute, “Medical Malpractice: Civil Litigation for Paralegals and Legal Assistants” (2009)
“Emergency Care Standard: When and How Does it Apply? Proving the Reckless Disregard Standard” (FJA, 2008)
“Practical Aspects and Legal Requirements for Experts” (FJA, 2006)
Advanced Judicial College – “Medical Malpractice” (May 2005)
Advanced Judicial College – “Spoliation of Evidence” (May 2005)
“Hospital Liens: The Current State of Affairs” (AFTL, 2004)
“Jury Selection: Nursing Home Cases” (AFTL, 2004)
“Laying the Groundwork for Motion for Summary Judgment in Deposition” (AFTL, 2004)
“Abuse and Neglect in Assisted Living: A Look at Legal Remedies” (NCCNHR, 2003)
“Caps on Non-Economic Damages in Medical Malpractice Cases” (Federalist Society, 2003)
“Rainmaking Secrets of the Pros” (Miami Dade FAWL, 2003)
“Under the Microscope: Nursing Home Department Staffing” (ATLA 2002)
“Children at Home: Proving Hidden Dangers in Juvenile Furniture” (ATLA, 1998)
“Litigating Denial of Coverage Cases” (AFTL, 1998)
“Attorney’s Fees Under the Offer of Judgment/Proposal for Settlement Rule” (AFTL, 1997)
“Ethnicity in the Legal Setting” (University of Miami, 1997)
“Direct Examination: A How to Guide” (AFTL, 1996)
“Trial of a Case Under Fabre” (AFTL, 1996)
“Uninsured Motorist Insurance Case Law Update” (AFTL, 1996)
“Work Product and Attorney Client Privilege” (PESI, 1996)
“Multiple Chemical Sensitivity – Sick Building Syndrome” (ABA, 1995; PESI, 1996)
“Bad Faith Aspects of Property and Casualty Insurance Claims: Rubio v. State Farm” (AFTL, 1995; PESI, 1996)
“Recreational Diving and Maritime Law” (Miami Marine Council, 1996)
“Medical Malpractice Case Law Update” (AFTL, 1995)
“Preventing Off the Record Conferences and Other Improper Deposition Conduct” (AFTL, 1995)
“Economic Loss Rule” (AFTL, 1994)
“Video Taped Depositions” (AFTL, 1994)
“Automobile Case Law Update” (AFTL, 1994)
“Uninsured Motorist Insurance Case Law Update” (AFTL, 1994)
“Medical/Product Liability: Coexisting Claims” (ATLA, 1994)
“Medical Malpractice: Preparing for Experts Deposition” (AFTL, 1993)
“Winning Your Case at the Defendant Doctor Deposition) (AFTL, 1993)
“Coverage Issues: Precluding the Exclusions” (AFTL, 1993)
“Insurance Adjusters Code of Ethics and Deceptive Trade Practices” (AFTL, 1991)
“Medical Malpractice Notice: Avoiding the Traps” (AFTL, 1990)
“Direct Examination” (AFTL, 1990)
COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES
Hispanic Women Mentoring (2001 to present)
Board Member, The San Carlos Institute, Key West, Florida (2004 to 2006)
Cuban American National Foundation (1987-1997)
Young Professionals (1987-1990)
Leadership Counsel (1990-1992)
Mission Marti (1992-1997)
Mission Marti, Certificate of Appreciation (1994)
Logistics Committee (1992-1993)
Chaired, Human Resources Committee (1992-1993)
Coalition of Hispanic American Women (1994-1998)
Board of Directors (1995-1998)
Chaired, Domestic Violence Committee (1995-1998)
Treasurer (1996)
Project Cradle, Coordinating Committee (1994)
Attorneys for Teens, Coordinating Committee (1993)
Lawyers for Homeless Families, Coordinating Committee (1992)
Fair Campaign Practices Committee (1990-1992)
Hispanic Women’s Leadership Alliance (1992-1996)
PUENTE (1994-2004)
Volunteer Grant Writer, Community Mental Health Center for Catchment Area 7 (1980)
Local Health Systems Agency-Planning Committee (1980-1983)
Mental Health Association, Blue Ribbon Committee on Deinstitutionalization of the Chronically Mentally Ill (1982)
LANGUAGES
English and Spanish
PLACE OF BIRTH
La Habana, Cuba
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