Miguel de la O, a native Miamian who has enjoyed a successful legal career for two decades, is running for Judge on the Circuit Court in Miami-Dade because he wants to give back to a community that has given him so many opportunities. His knowledge of the law, coupled with his deep understanding of our diverse community, make him uniquely qualified to serve in one of our most important elected positions.

A Skilled Legal Mind Isn’t Enough

When Miguel was in elementary school, his grandfather used to write to his representatives in Congress, urging them to require judges to pass a test to take the bench. His grandfather, a lawyer in Cuba before he moved to Miami, would explain that Cuban judges had to pass tests on the law, just like doctors had to pass tests on medicine. As a 10 year old, Miguel agreed with his grandfather’s logic.

But after practicing before dozens of federal and state judges, Miguel has found the flaw in his grandfather’s argument. “A good judge doesn’t just know the law, it’s not enough. It’s more than just being able to check off the right answers. Demeanor, patience, and fairness all play a role. It’s less of a science and more of an art.”

Miguel has the experience a judge needs, and the background to understand this community.

A Hard Miami childhood

Miguel is an example of what disadvantaged children can accomplish with the right opportunities. He was raised by his mother after his father abandoned the family when Miguel was just a baby. He and his mother were very poor, surviving on government assistance.  Growing up, Miguel lived throughout Little Havana and Allapattah.  “We were constantly moving because she couldn’t keep up with the rent.”

High School and College

Attorney David Marko, Miguel’s law partner for the past 15 years, met Miguel when they were both students at Miami’s Jackson High School, where they became, and remain, best friends.

Miguel, who graduated seventh in his class, could have gone to Harvard if he had even known that was possible, David says.

“He was such a good student, despite everything that he had going on at home,’’ David said. “I came from a three-squares-a-day background. Miguel’s life wasn’t like that.”

After high school, Miguel went to Florida State University, graduating cum laude with degrees in political science and criminology. During college, he was on the FSU debate team. In 1986, Miguel and his partner beat out over 200 debate teams from across the country to place second at the CEDA National Championship Debate Tournament. He went on to Florida State law school, graduating with high honors. In law school, he was an Editor on the Law Review and a member of the Moot Court team.

A Distinguished Legal Career 

Right out of law school, Miguel worked for one of Miami’s largest firms, Steel Hector & Davis, and then went on to practice criminal defense at Sonnett, Sale & Kuehne, where he met one of his mentors, Neal R. Sonnett. After five years working for other lawyers, Miguel started his own firm in 1994, partnering with David Marko. The firm, now de la O, Marko, Magolnick and Leyton, handles a wide variety of cases and corporate transactions.

Miguel has tried more than 40 cases to juries in state and federal court, representing a clientele ranging from Fortune 500 companies, to supermodels, and even an alligator. He’s also done extensive appellate work. Martindale-Hubbell has awarded him an AV peer review rating, meaning his peers consider his legal skills to be “very high to preeminent.”  To see a list of Miguel's activities and honors, click here.

In 2002, the Florida Supreme Court appointed Miguel to the Florida Board of Bar Examiners, which he Chaired during the final year of his five-year term. He still serves on the Board as an emeritus member.

If you live in the City of Miami, you can watch Miguel on Cable Access channel 9 every other Tuesday when he Chairs the Miami Civil Service Board.

Community Service

Outside of his law practice, Miguel is active in our community. He has worked as a guardian ad litem, helping children who are facing the same kinds of struggles he faced as a child. Miguel was twice named “Guardian Ad Litem of the Month” for the 11th Judicial Circuit.

He has also served on several boards for the City of Miami and the state and county Bar Associations, and has been a member of the board of directors of the Miami-Dade Urban Debate League and the Human Services Coalition.

A Supportive Family

Miguel has been married for 13 years to another Miamian, Rosa Velilla de la O, who grew up in the Roads neighborhood. Rosa, who has a Business degree from FIU, worked as a banker in Miami and was Miss Florida USA in 1992. She currently does marketing and accounting work for Miguel’s law firm, giving her time to spend with their three children, 11-year-old Rebecca Rose, 9-year-old Anna Mikayla, and 6-year-old Miguel Jorge.

Evenings at the de la O house consist of homework, lots and lots of homework. On weekends, Miguel can often be found at the kids’ soccer games, parks, or museums. “I never miss their soccer games,’’ he says.

He’s trying to get them interested in basketball, which he plays nearly every morning at the Downtown Athletic Club.

The kids learned at Coral Way Elementary about President Obama’s promise to get his daughters a puppy if he won the election. The de la O children have insisted on the same promise, and Miguel and Rosa, both animal lovers, have agreed.

For his part, Miguel looks forward to meeting people all over the county, from all walks of life as part of the campaign. He is proud to be asking the community to support him.