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: 

• Facebook @Leesfield&Partners
•  X @leesfield
• Instagram @leesfieldpartnersmiami

Hoffer is a graduate of the United States Air Force Academy and has a Master of Business Administration from Liberty University in Virginia. When asked why she decided to pursue law school, Hoffer said it was her experience serving in the Air Force that spurred the choice. Hoffer said she hopes to someday become a civil litigator. 

Lainie Long Hoffer, a second-year law student at the American University Washington College of Law

“Since I was raised in a culture of scholarships and financial assistance, the Leesfield Family Foundation is a natural outlet for my family to now express its thanks to the less fortunate and those in need,” Foundation Chair Ira Leesfield has previously said. 

The scholarship, which was first given out in 1994, goes to law students from all over the country who display an unwavering commitment to trial advocacy and upholding the civil justice system. As of 2024, the scholarship has been extended until 2030 in recognition of 36 distinguished law student recipients. 

About The Leesfield Family Foundation

The Leesfield Family Foundation was started by Ira Leesfield, Founder and Managing Partner at Leesfield & Partners, and his wife and daughter, Cynthia and Jennifer Leesfield, in 1990. Since then, The Foundation’s impact has stretched far beyond the borders of the family’s hometown of Miami, Florida. The Foundation regularly supports local, national and international grants and organizations as well as funding numerous college and law school scholarship opportunities for students in need. In addition to its work with The Foundation, the Leesfields are also actively involved with the Clinton Foundation and the Clinton Global Initiative. 

About the American Association for Justice

The American Association for Justice is a network dedicated to furthering the rights of victims and injured persons; specifically, that person’s right to a trial by jury. In the vein of advocacy, the AAJ also promotes access to education and encourages the publishing of information that could impact the public’s health and safety. The AAJ got its start in a meeting held at an Oregon hotel in 1946.

Scholarship Applications for the 2025 cycle are now available. For more information on how to apply, please visit www.leesfieldfamilyfoundation.org/scholarships.