Runners on the MacArthur Causeway with the Miami skyline in the background on Jan. 25, 2026, in Miami.
Carl Juste
cjuste@miamiherald.com
In cities like New York, philanthropy has shaped public life. Its effects are visible in carefully curated parks and the thoughtful use of outdoor spaces throughout the city. In Miami, that same spirit of civic engagement is seen through organizations like Friends of The Underline.
But this work is only beginning. Despite Miami becoming a magnet for the ultra-wealthy, sustained investment in the public spaces and nonprofits that shape our community remains uneven. Miami has the potential and need, posing one significant question for the future of philanthropy — what does that look like moving forward?
Philanthropy has never been about a single act. It’s how you choose to give your time, energy and resources to the community that makes your life and work possible. After more than 50 years of practicing law here, I can’t separate my success from this city. Once you recognize that, giving back becomes a responsibility, one you’re proud to carry.
What most people don’t know about me is that, at 12 years old, my mother and I came home to an eviction notice on our door. At that moment, I knew I wanted to build a life where I could stand with people when they needed it most. In law school, I relied on scholarships and the generosity of others. That support changed the trajectory of my life. I made a commitment early on to give back and to help open doors for others the same way they were opened for me.
Giving back means staying engaged, understanding where the need is and being present in the work. I am proud to support causes like The Underline that impact our community. What’s happening beneath the Metrorail is a long-term investment in how this city functions. It’s creating accessible spaces where there weren’t any and connecting communities that, for a long time, felt separate. It’s one of the most productive public reuse projects I’ve ever seen. What I value most, though, is its direct impact on people. Programs like Park Stewards create real opportunity, offering individuals who were previously unhoused not just jobs, but skills, community and a way forward.
For years, I looked out at a stretch of land with potential but no care behind it. When Meg Daly approached me about transforming it into something for the community, the answer was simple: yes. Today, that space, the Leesfield Family Garden, is home to a sculpture by Pablo Atchugarry and a place where people can pause and feel connected to the city around them.
That same mindset extends to the legal community that I have been a part of for decades. Scholarships are important, but they’re only part of it. Young lawyers need to see generosity in practice. This is a primary reason behind the 10-part Courtroom Series , a professional development seminar I developed alongside former Chief Justice R. Fred Lewis for young attorneys. The series is entirely free for attendees and heavily focuses on trial advocacy, giving young professionals a chance to advance trial skills.
Today, I find myself thinking more about legacy not in terms of recognition, but in what endures because someone chose to invest in it. This is the idea behind the Leesfield Law Center & Campus, an education center for members of the Florida Bar offering resources that benefit our legal community and foster accessibility and opportunity.
Everyone should ask themselves: Where can I contribute in a way that matters? In the end, it’s about what we build for the people who come after us and whether they benefit from the changes made. If any of this resonates with you, I’d challenge you to find a Miami-based cause that excites you and to go support it wholeheartedly. If you believe in a program, you shouldn’t just fund it, you should advocate for it.
We have the opportunity to build a Miami that is both successful and connected, a place where giving back is a part of our culture.
Ira Leesfield is a longtime Miami trial attorney, philanthropist, and founder of Leesfield & Partners and the Leesfield Family Foundation.