Karen J. Lapekas takes the reins as president of the Legal Services of Greater Miami’s board
Monica Vigues-Pitan, Legal Services of Greater Miami CEO, from the left, with new board officers Karen Lapekas, Arya Attari Li, and Aleida Martinez-Molina, who were sworn in by Judge Vivianne Del Rio.
Legal Services of Greater Miami (Legal Services) recently elected a new slate of officers and welcomed four new board members for 2024-2025.
Karen J. Lapekas, principal at Lapekas Law, P.A., will succeed D. Porpoise Evans as board president. During Evans two-year presidency, Legal Services says it achieved “significant organizational growth and strengthened strategic partnerships in the post-COVID environment.”
Lapekas joined Legal Services board in 2018 and served as first vice president for the past two years. Lapekas has also provided pro bono legal representation to Legal Services’ clients, earning recognition for her efforts. In 2023, she received the Equal Justice Pro Bono Tax Clinic Award for her work on behalf of low-income taxpayers and was honored with the Janet Spragens Pro Bono Award in 2022 by the ABA’s Tax Section.
“Legal Services makes an invaluable impact on this community,” Lapekas said. “In my new role, I look forward to serving the organization and contributing to its mission in any way I can.”
Joining Lapekas as board officers are:
• Stephen F. Rosenthal, of Podhurst Orseck, as first vice president
• Debra Tyler, representing Homeless/Formerly Homeless Forum, Inc., continuing as second vice president
• Arya Attari Li, of Lockton Companies, as treasurer
• Aleida Martinez-Molina, of AXS Law Group, as secretary
“Legal Services is thrilled to welcome this wonderful group of well-qualified, committed, and thoughtful leaders,” said Legal Services CEO Monica Vigues-Pitan. “I look forward to continued collaboration to tackle legal barriers to equity and justice and bring positive changes to vulnerable individuals and families in Miami-Dade and Monroe counties who could not otherwise afford to pay for legal assistance.”
The newest board members include Julian Jackson-Fannin, Gabriel D. Mazzitelli, Anthony E. Reynolds, and John E. Thornton, Jr. New board officers and members were officially installed on September 24 by Judge Vivianne Del Rio at a reception hosted by Goldberg & Rosen.
