More than 1,300 guests attended the Cuban American Bar Association’s (CABA) 50th annual installation gala on Saturday, January 27 at the Loews Miami Beach Hotel.
The gala raised $600,000 and benefited both the CABA Foundation and CABA Pro Bono Legal Services. This year’s theme, “Oro de Ley,” underscored the importance of remembering the past to inform the future as reflected in its logo featuring downtown Miami’s skyline with the Freedom Tower mirroring El Morro, a historical landmark in Havana, Cuba.
CABA’s new president, Javier A. Ley-Soto, said he is committed to leading the association with a focus on three key priorities: enhancing diversity, embracing innovation and strengthening the association’s ties to the community. He also plans to hold events honoring the legacy of past presidents.
“I believe that by focusing on these priorities, we can build upon the foundation laid by our past presidents and create an even stronger, more vibrant CABA for the next 50 years,” Ley-Soto said in his speech at the gala, where he was also officially sworn in as president.
The annual gala has become a cornerstone event for the legal community with attendees including prominent attorneys, judges and business and community leaders. The festivities included dinner, a silent auction and live entertainment by Carlos Oliva y Los Sobrinos del Juez.
Javier A. Ley-Soto (Son), Javier A. Ley-Soto, Javier Sabin Ley-Soto, Julian Ley-Soto
Fabian Ruiz, Patrick Montoya, Isis Pacheco Velasco, Jordi Martinez-Cid, Joshua Padron, Haydee Sera, Candice Balmori, Diana Arteaga, Amanda Fernandez, Giselle Gutierrez, Emily Balter, Augusto Perera, Daniel Buigas, Gustavo Ceballos
Albert Dotson, Jr., Javier A. Ley-Soto, Charise Morgan
Miami-Dade County State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle, Javier A. Ley-Soto, Judge (Ret.) Cristina Pereyra-Alvarez, Cesar Alvarez
St. Thomas University School of Law Dean Tarlika Navarro-Nunez, U.S. Congressman Carlos Gimenez
About the Cuban American Bar Association (CABA)
Founded in 1974, CABA is one of the largest nonprofit bar associations in the state of Florida. Its membership is comprised of lawyers and law students from various backgrounds whose interests include not only those affecting the Cuban community, but human and legal rights’ issues impacting minority communities. CABA also founded CABA Pro Bono Legal Services and the CABA Foundation, both created on the association’s fundamental values to aid those in most need through legal advocacy as well as offering scholarships to law students.
About the CABA Foundation
In 1995, as part of its mission to promote diversity and access in the legal services community, CABA launched the CABA Foundation (CABF). CABF provides law school scholarships to law students across the country to assist those students in achieving their full potential through access to and increased diversity in the legal profession. CABF also manages and promotes efforts to endow law school scholarships throughout Florida.
About CABA Pro Bono Legal Services
In 1984, CABA Pro Bono Legal Services was created to assist disadvantaged members of our community with pro bono legal representation. Today, it continues to passionately execute its mission of changing the lives of children, individuals, and families who cannot otherwise afford legal advocacy. CABA Pro Bono provides statewide legal representation to those most in need, serving about 1,800 clients per year, including: victims of human trafficking; veterans; victims of domestic violence; abused, abandoned, or neglected children; the elderly; and immigrants. Over the last 39 years, the work of CABA Pro Bono’s dedicated staff, board members, volunteers, and donors, has yielded immeasurable value to its clients.
