Notable Alumni

Miami-Dade County Mayor
Legal Services Staff Attorney, 1982-1986

Daniella Levine Cava was elected Miami-Dade County's first-ever woman mayor in November 2020, after 40 years of advocacy for South Florida families. As mayor, she oversees nearly 30,000 county employees, serves nearly 3 million residents, and manages an annual budget of nearly $12 billion. She is focused on building a more resilient and prosperous Miami-Dade. Her initiatives include combating gun violence, building a future ready economy full of opportunity, tackling the housing crisis, and preserving our precious environment.

A social worker, lawyer, and activist, she previously served as the County Commissioner for District 8 and worked with vulnerable populations through Legal Services of Greater Miami (1982-1986) and Catalyst Miami, an organization she founded. Levine Cava received the 2021 Equal Justice Leadership Award at Legal Services’ Heart of Giving.

Reflecting on her time at Legal Services, Levine Cava said: “I learned how to use the law for society’s most vulnerable as a Legal Services attorney, representing the homeless, disabled, immigrants and children. I learned how to fight for inclusivity and justice. These lessons have informed all my subsequent endeavors and now define my service as an elected official.”