Miguel de la O was elected circuit court judge in April 2012 and is slated to take the bench in January 2013. A native Miamian who spent more than two decades in private practice, de la O ran for judge because he wanted to give back to a community that has given him so many opportunities.

Legal Ability Isn’t Enough

Miguel remembers when 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 argue that judges should have to pass tests on the law, just like doctors have 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  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 anyone can accomplish with the right opportunities. He was raised by a single mother, who made ends meet with 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 and his best friend, met Miguel when they were both students at Miami’s Jackson High School.

Miguel graduated amongst the top in his class and was voted Most Likely to Succeed.  "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  Marko. The firmhandled 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.

Miguel also served on the  Miami Civil Service Board, as a member and as Chair from 2004 to 2012.

Community Service

Outside of his law practice, Miguel was active in our community. He 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 17 years to another Miamian, Rosa Velilla de la O, who grew up in the Roads neighborhood of Miami. 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, which gives her time to spend with their three children, 14-year-old Rebecca Rose, 12-year-old Anna Mikayla, and 9-year-old Miguel Jorge.