“As both an attorney and a philanthropist, I have always believed in the power of justice to protect our most vulnerable,” Mr. Leesfield said.

His generous contribution, a part of his ongoing efforts through his firm and The Leesfield Family Foundation – which has supported women’s and children’s initiatives since 1990 – will help fund critical services to address child abuse. This donation is especially timely as next month marks Child Abuse Awareness and Prevention Month.

Data from the National Children’s Alliance shows that more than 550,000 children were victims of abuse and neglect in the United States. From that data, researchers discovered that one in four girls and one in 13 boys in the U.S. are estimated to have experienced child abuse.

These alarming statistics underscore the urgent need for organizations like LFCA, according to Mr. Leesfield.

“The work of Lawyers for Children America is critical in ensuring that children who have experienced abuse have a voice and the legal representation they deserve,” he said.

Previous Involvement

In 2018, Mr. Leesfield was honored with the LFCA’s Janet Reno Outstanding Community Partner Award. This honor was given at the organization’s 19^th annual John Edward Smith Child Advocacy Pro Bono Awards Luncheon, attended by Congresswoman Donna Shalala.

Janet Reno, the first woman to serve as U.S. Attorney General, was a long-time friend of Mr. Leesfield’s. Her tireless advocacy for stronger child protective services and expanded resources for victims has profoundly impacted the lives of survivors, leaving a lasting legacy that continues to benefit individuals today.

“I am proud to continue supporting their mission, as each donation plays a small part in creating a safer, more just world for these children,” Mr. Leesfield said. “Together, we can work to ensure that no child is left without protection, advocacy, and the resources needed to heal.”

Over the years, The Foundation has broadened its scope, placing a strong emphasis on initiatives that support women and children.

“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.”

On Saturday, March 8, people from all over the world will come together to celebrate and highlight the accomplishments of female leaders throughout history. In today’s world, celebrating women’s achievements and paving the way for future opportunities has never been more important. Women have long been the backbone of households and communities. Studies show that when women are educated, their children are 50% more likely to pursue higher education. The Leesfield Family Foundation understands that empowering women through initiatives that ensure safety and promote education is not just an investment in their future, but in the future of generations to come.

Miami-Dade Chapter of the Florida Association for Women Lawyers

As a boy growing up on a single mother’s budget, Mr. Leesfield learned the true meaning of hard work. His mother earned 90 cents to a dollar an hour and though money for the shiny things in life may have been scarce, there was no shortage of love, kindness and support in the Leesfield household.

Now, in his 70s with a thriving personal injury law firm, Mr. Leesfield has made it a habit of giving back to hardworking women and mothers much like his own.

A permanent endowment of The Foundation is the Sookie Williams Scholarship, awarded through the Florida Association for Women Lawyers, in honor of Sookie Williams, a champion for women’s rights within the legal community and beyond.

Williams’ boldness, like most women who make their mark on history, was not adequately appreciated during her heyday, but was necessary for change. She got a presidential citation for her work during the war helping to build the atomic bomb, according to her obituary. In her 102 years, Williams worked diligently to close the gender pay gap, earned an honorary membership in the Florida Association of Women Lawyers, was honored in 2011 as a Legal legend and worked as editor of the Daily Business Review.

“Sookie was a woman of valor, and a woman of valor makes the world change,” Mr. Leesfield said. “She called our attention to things that really matter – dignity, work, love and kindness.”

In addition to the Sookie Williams Scholarship, The Foundation also gives out a law school scholarship in partnership with the American Association for Justice. The 2024 recipient of this decades-long academic scholarship was Lainie Long Hoffer, a second-year law student at the American University Washington College of Law.

In a letter to Mr. Leesfield, Ms. Hoffer, a graduate of the United States Air Force Academy, expressed her gratitude for the scholarship to continue her studies.

“Mr. Leesfield, I am so grateful to you and the members of your foundation for the generous scholarship,” Ms. Hoffer wrote in her letter. “Your team did an excellent job in both presenting at AAJ as well as teaching engaging curriculum on Resort Tort litigation … Thank you again for your continuous generosity to law students.”

The Melissa Institute

The Melissa Institute is a nonprofit dedicated to violence prevention and treatment via education, community service and research. The organization was born out of tragedy following the unthinkable murder of Melissa Aptman in May of 1995.

At the time, Ms. Aptman, originally from Miami, was looking forward to a visit later that month from her family for her upcoming graduation from Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri. In a carjacking both Ms. Aptman and a friend were abducted and shot. Tragically, Ms. Aptman died as a result of her injuries. She was 20 years old.

Her friend survived and, after helping police and prosecutors find and convict the assailants, has since gone on to graduate law school.

A year after Ms. Aptman’s murder, her friends and family banded together with violence prevention experts to establish the institute in her name. Mr. Leesfield has been a long-time supporter of The Melissa Institute and has served as an honorary Board Member since at least 2013.

In 2016, when a gunman killed 49 people and wounded over 50 others at Pulse, a gay-friendly nightclub in Orlando, Florida, Mr. Leesfield was grief-stricken. Flags, messages from loved ones and weather-worn teddy bears were left at the site of the violent attack in memoriam of the people who were viciously killed. As these images were splashed across news broadcasts and accompanied articles in the paper, Mr. Leesfield did not hesitate to send aid to help grieving families.

The Leesfield Family Foundation gives ongoing support to local initiatives such as the Fatherhood Task Force of South Florida, Kristi House, Lotus House, Amigos for Kids, the Yes Institute, which is the source for knowledge on gender and sexual orientation. In addition to these organizations, Mr. Leesfield also works closely with Live Like Bella, a pediatric cancer foundation, and Friends of The Underline.

Click Here for an in-depth look at The Foundation’s support to women’s and children’s initiatives.

With a planned athletic scholarship to be awarded in his name, Butler will be afforded the opportunity to continue doing just that for his students.

“Coach Dex” and Butler’s Legacy

Butler died in March 2024 while on his way to meet his students, according to reporting from local news outlets at the time of his death. He was a husband to Maria L. Castillo and father to a 2-year-old girl, Viviana Jade Butler. His parents are Anita and William “Bill” Butler and his brother is Devin Miles Butler.

In life, he was known for his compassion, kindness and mentorship, a legacy that this scholarship aims to keep alive. His passion for student sports stems from his own experience as an athlete, both during his high school years and in college at the University of South Florida and Nova Southeastern University. Butler returned to his hometown of Key West after college where he taught and began coaching, following in the footsteps of his father who coached tennis and basketball. His time teaching and coaching earned him the affectionate nickname, “Coach Dex.” 

The news of Butler’s death left his community reeling with devastated mourners gathered by the hundreds  for a candlelight vigil in his honor, according to local reporting. Butler is described as being “full of life” and who seemed to love those around him with a kindness that left an “indelible impact.” Through this scholarship, Butler’s work to support and guide his students will continue. 

For more information

The scholarship will be awarded on behalf of the Leesfield Family Foundation with the support of Foundation Chair Ira Leesfield and his law firm, Leesfield & Partners. The scholarship was created as a way honor Butler’s passion for sports as well as the dedication that he had for his students. 

More details including how to apply and an award ceremony will be released at a later date.  

For more information, please visit www.Leesfield.com of follow the Law Firm on the following social media sites: 

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