Leyza Florin is a Shareholder at Sequor Law, where she focuses her practice on asset recovery, financial fraud, and cross-border insolvency representing foreign and domestic bankruptcy trustees, and creditors in high-stakes, international and business litigation. Ranked Band 1 by Chambers USA for Bankruptcy Litigation and a Fellow of the American College of Bankruptcy, Leyza is recognized for her leadership in the field having served as past chair of the Florida Bar Business Law Section (2020-21) and International Women’s Insolvency & Restructuring Confederation (IWIRC) (2021) and past-president of the Bankruptcy Bar of the Southern District of Florida (2006-07). She presently chairs the International Nominating Committee of the American College of Bankruptcy.
What have you gained from your involvement with the Section?
The Section has provided an unparalleled opportunity to collaborate with the brightest minds in Florida’s business law community. Through committee work and leadership roles, I’ve built lasting relationships, contributed meaningfully to the development of Florida’s commercial legal landscape and contributed to my own and others’ professional development.
Which Committees/Task Forces have you served on within the Section?
I’ve had the honor of serving as past chair of the Bankruptcy/UCC Committee, Bankruptcy Judicial Liaison Committee, and the Inclusion, Mentoring, and Fellowship Committee, among others. I also served as Chair of the Business Law Section during the 2020–2021 Bar year and have remained actively engaged in judicial outreach and mentoring initiatives.
What is your favorite memory from your term as Chair?
Serving as Chair during the pandemic was both challenging and deeply rewarding. I’m proud of how the Section pivoted to virtual programming, maintained engagement by launching its newsletter while continuing its mission to serve and assist our members and judiciary navigate through the challenges presented by COVID. One highlight was our Executive Council retreat in Savannah which was the first in-person meeting of the Section in more than 1 year after the start of the pandemic. Although abbreviated in scope and distance, it was great to be able to join other leaders of the Section to do the work of the Section, in person, after a long absence. It was also great to also take time to give back to the local Savannah community particularly during such a challenging time.
What is something that will surprise our members to learn about you?
I am a first-generation Cuban immigrant, born and raised an only child of a single mother who worked tirelessly to give me every opportunity while setting an example that knowledge, education, and a strong work ethic are the recipe for success. That upbringing shaped my resilience and perspective with a firm reminder that with great power comes great responsibility. The Business Law Section is one of the organizations that provides us an opportunity to give back to our profession and to the residents of the State of Florida in taking the lead in tackling new and challenging business issues that affect our profession and the communities in which we live and work. I’m proud of what I’ve accomplished to date, but I carry my roots with me always; they keep me grounded, grateful, and focused on lifting others and paying it forward.