Key West High School senior Dylan Martinez has been selected as the first-ever recipient of the Dexter Butler Scholarship, an award established by Leesfield & Partners to honor the enduring legacy of the late teacher and coach.
The scholarship pays tribute to Butler, a beloved Key West High School teacher and mentor who tragically died in March 2023. Butler is perhaps best known for leaving a profound mark on the lives of his students, particularly the young athletes he coached and guided.
For Ira Leesfield, the firm’s Founder and Managing Partner, choosing to honor Butler through the scholarship is a way to keep his legacy alive.
“I have known the Butler family for my entire 45 years working in Key West,” Leesfield said. “There is no finer family in the community who has done more for high school athletic programs. Dexter Butler was a true role model.”
Dylan Martinez has been selected as the first-ever recipient of the Dexter Butler Scholarship.
Created less than a year after his passing, the scholarship reflects the values Butler championed: kindness and an unwavering support for his students and athletes. Among this year’s applicants, one theme consistently emerged — “Coach Dex,” as the boys affectionately called him, made each of them feel seen and valued.
Joined by Partner Justin B. Shapiro, Mr. Leesfield personally presented the award to Dylan at Key West High School’s 2025 Class Night in the school’s auditorium.
“On behalf of the attorneys and staff at Leesfield & Partners, I want to congratulate Dylan Martinez and all the boys who applied,” Leesfield said. “These young men aspire to live out the example left behind by Dexter Butler — an admirable goal. I commend their efforts and encourage them to continue this work going forward.”
Other Scholarships Championed by LFF
The Leesfield Family Foundation has supported countless scholarships and grants to further the education of students in need since 1994. In partnership with organizations like the American Association for Justice and the Florida Association for Women Lawyers, LFF has been afforded the opportunity to be a part of the journey of hundreds of students all over the country. Over the years, The Foundation had broadened its scope and expanded its initiatives to also support organizations dedicat4ed to women and children’s initiatives. LFF also significantly contributes to disaster relief organizations. No matter the cause, however, The Foundation has stayed true to its motto — generosity, warmth and reassurance.
“Our giving is rooted in gratitude, using my extra resources to help others instead of accumulating more,” Mr. Leesfield has previously said. “I gain great satisfaction from helping others.”
Last month, The Leesfield Family Foundation celebrated the recipients of the LFF/MDFAWL Sookie Williams Scholarship — Rebecca “Becky” Rodriguez and Genesis Navarrete. LFF is honored to support these two fledgling attorneys as they continue to strive for greatness in their legal careers. The staff and attorneys at LFF and Leesfield & Partners cannot wait to watch the successes of these recipients.
Congratulations to all the recipients and good luck!
- For more information on the Leesfield/AAJ Law Student Scholarship Program, contact Carmen Marrero at Marrero@Leesfield.com.
- For more information about the MDFAWL Scholarship, please visit MDFAWL.org
- Follow us on social media or email info@Leesfield.com for more information about the Dexter Butler Scholarship.
Partner Justin B. Shapiro, Anita Butler, Dylan Martinez and Ira Leesfield posed for a photo
