Ira Leesfield, founder and managing partner of Leesfield Partners, is approaching a milestone: the firm’s 50th anniversary, marking half a century of his commitment to clients, the legal profession and the Miami community.  A nationally recognized trial attorney, Mr. Leesfield has built one of F lorida’s leading personal injury and wrongful death law firms while also championing community development, education and public spaces across the city.  His career-defining moments, from securing historic jury verdicts to mentoring young lawyers, reflect a dedication to justice and civic engagement that continues to guide his work today. Raised in Broward County, Mr. Leesfield pursued his undergraduate and law degrees at the University of Florida before joining the U.S. Department of Justice through its Honors Program.  He later returned to Miami, joining a trial firm and quickly making his mark in the courtroom.  Over the decades, Leesfield Partners has grown from humble beginnings – a two-lawyer office with one long-term assistant – into a multi-office firm recognized statewide for handling complex, high-stakes cases and achieving multi-million-dollar verdicts and settlements for injured clients. Mr. Leesfield’s path into law was shaped by personal experience. At age 12, he witnessed his mother struggle to keep their family housed after receiving an eviction notice, an event that became the driving force behind his career. Determined to help others in similar circumstances, he focused on representing consumers, injured people and the disenfranchised – a mission that remains central to the firm’s work. Beyond the courtroom, Mr. Leesfield has cultivated a legacy of mentorship and civic engagement. He founded the Leesfield Family Foundation, providing scholarships and support to aspiring lawyers, and launched the Classroom to Courtroom series to give young attorneys hands-on training.  He has also invested in Miami’s public spaces, creating the Leesfield Family Garden along the Underline and contributing to its ongoing programming, including the Estrella de Luz sculpture.  Plans are underway for the Leesfield Law Center, a hub for legal education and community engagement adjacent to his office. Looking ahead, Mr. Leesfield continues to mentor, teach and practice law, guided by the same principles that shaped his career. He remains committed to advancing the legal profession, strengthening the community and providing opportunities for the next generation of leaders in Miami. Mr. Leesfield spoke with Miami Today reporter Genevieve Bowen. Read the full interview in this week’s print or digital edition of Miami Today. Full access is available exclusively to our subscribers. Click here to access your subscription or to subscribe! This week’s profile will appear in next year’s Book of Leaders. Miami Today publishes a Book of Leaders every year. This book is a compilation of all The Achievers profiled in every edition. The information in this book is available nowhere else – the stories of the women and men who are shaping the development of Greater Miami. If you would like to order a copy of the Book of Leaders from 1997 to 2025 or a complete set, click here to place your order. The post Ira Leesfield: Law firm founder finds multiple ways to build community appeared first on Miami Today. ...read more read less