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International Arbitration · Spanish-speaking

Top-Ranked Spanish-Speaking International Arbitration Lawyers in Miami, Florida

Updated Methodology LexRank v1.28 lawyers rankedReviewed by LexRanked editorial team

Summary

As of November 1, 2026, the top-ranked Spanish-speaking international arbitration lawyers in Miami, Florida are Michael Diaz Jr. (LexRank 84.00), Leyza Barbara Florin “Leyza F. Blanco” (84.00) and Ricardo Hugo Puente “Rick” (84.00).

This ranking lists 8 international arbitration lawyers in Miami, Florida, whose Florida Bar profile lists Spanish, in order of their LexRank score, calculated from their Florida Bar records and other cited sources. All 8 lawyers in this ranking are Board Certified in International Litigation and Arbitration by The Florida Bar, a credential held by 4.9% of Florida lawyers in any field. Their experience ranges from 10 to 39 years in practice.

Lawyers ranked
8
Fully verified
8 of 8

The ranking

Ordered by organic LexRank score; paid placements are labelled and never affect a position. How we rank

Who is included: only lawyers whose sourced records list spanish among their languages: 8 of the 25 in Top-Ranked International Arbitration Lawyers in Miami, Florida, 8 of them confirmed by a verified fact or an official record such as the state bar profile. Scores are the same LexRank scores; the context selects who is ranked and never changes a score.

  1. No change

    Michael Diaz Jr.

    Diaz, Reus & Targ, LLP · Miami, FL

    Verified
    • Speaks Spanish · sourced
    • International Arbitration
    • 39 years experience
    View profile
    Why #1?

    Ranks #1 with 84.00: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Professional credentials (15/15); held back by Reputation (4/20).

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 24.1)
    • Professional credentials 15/15 (ranking avg 15)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4)
  2. No change

    Leyza Barbara Florin “Leyza F. Blanco”

    Sequor Law · Miami, FL

    Verified
    • Speaks Spanish · sourced
    • International Arbitration
    • 29 years experience
    View profile
    Why #2?

    Ranks #2 with 84.00: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Professional credentials (15/15); held back by Reputation (4/20).

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 24.1)
    • Professional credentials 15/15 (ranking avg 15)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4)
  3. No change

    Ricardo Hugo Puente “Rick”

    Independent practice · Miami, FL

    Verified
    • Speaks Spanish · sourced
    • International Arbitration
    • 29 years experience
    View profile
    Why #3?

    Ranks #3 with 84.00: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Professional credentials (15/15); held back by Reputation (4/20).

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 24.1)
    • Professional credentials 15/15 (ranking avg 15)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4)
  4. No change

    Gilbert Kirk Squires

    Independent practice · Miami, FL

    Verified
    • Speaks Spanish · sourced
    • International Arbitration
    • 24 years experience
    View profile
    Why #4?

    Ranks #4 with 82.80: strongest in Experience (28.8/30) and Professional credentials (15/15); held back by Reputation (4/20). 1.20 points behind #3, mostly experience.

    Strongest

    • Experience 28.8/30 (ranking avg 24.1)
    • Professional credentials 15/15 (ranking avg 15)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4)

    1.20 points behind #3 (Ricardo Hugo Puente “Rick”): Experience −1.2.

  5. No change

    Arnoldo Benjamin Lacayo

    Sequor Law · Miami, FL

    Verified
    • Speaks Spanish · sourced
    • International Arbitration
    • 23 years experience
    View profile
    Why #5?

    Ranks #5 with 81.60: strongest in Experience (27.6/30) and Professional credentials (15/15); held back by Reputation (4/20). 1.20 points behind #4, mostly experience.

    Strongest

    • Experience 27.6/30 (ranking avg 24.1)
    • Professional credentials 15/15 (ranking avg 15)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4)

    1.20 points behind #4 (Gilbert Kirk Squires): Experience −1.2.

  6. No change

    Kristin Drecktrah Paz

    Independent practice · Miami, FL

    Verified
    • Speaks Spanish · sourced
    • International Arbitration
    • 15 years experience
    View profile
    Why #6?

    Ranks #6 with 72.00: strongest in Professional credentials (15/15) and Data quality (10/10); held back by Reputation (4/20) and Experience (18/30). 9.60 points behind #5, mostly experience.

    Strongest

    • Professional credentials 15/15 (ranking avg 15)
    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 10)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4)
    • Experience 18/30 (ranking avg 24.1)

    9.60 points behind #5 (Arnoldo Benjamin Lacayo): Experience −9.6.

  7. No change

    Aleksey Shtivelman

    Independent practice · Miami, FL

    Verified
    • Speaks Spanish · sourced
    • International Arbitration
    • 14 years experience
    View profile
    Why #7?

    Ranks #7 with 70.80: strongest in Professional credentials (15/15) and Data quality (10/10); held back by Reputation (4/20) and Experience (16.8/30). 1.20 points behind #6, mostly experience.

    Strongest

    • Professional credentials 15/15 (ranking avg 15)
    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 10)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4)
    • Experience 16.8/30 (ranking avg 24.1)

    1.20 points behind #6 (Kristin Drecktrah Paz): Experience −1.2.

  8. No change

    Ricardo Alonso Ampudia

    Rimon, P.C. · Miami, FL

    Verified
    • Speaks Spanish · sourced
    • International Arbitration
    • 10 years experience
    View profile
    Why #8?

    Ranks #8 with 66.00: strongest in Professional credentials (15/15) and Data quality (10/10); held back by Reputation (4/20) and Experience (12/30). 4.80 points behind #7, mostly experience.

    Strongest

    • Professional credentials 15/15 (ranking avg 15)
    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 10)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4)
    • Experience 12/30 (ranking avg 24.1)

    4.80 points behind #7 (Aleksey Shtivelman): Experience −4.8.

Data sources behind the scores

Every score on this page is calculated from facts backed by these sources. Each profile shows which source supports which fact and when it was last checked.

  • floridabar.org · Official / regulatory · 8 profile pages96 facts for 8 lawyers

International Arbitration market in Miami

LexRanked tracks 25 lawyers and 7 law firms in international arbitration law in Miami, Florida. 25 of the lawyers have verified professional data. Data verified October 19, 2026.

Lawyers
25
Law firms
7
Verified professional data
25 of 25
Average rating
Withheldtoo few sourced ratings
Median review count
Withheldtoo few sourced counts
Median experience
30 years25 lawyers

Calculated by LexRanked from its own records on ; data verified . Ratings and review counts count only when backed by a source; figures from fewer than three profiles are withheld. All lawyers in Miami

What sets these Miami Spanish-speaking lawyers apart

All 8 lawyers in this ranking are Board Certified in International Litigation and Arbitration by The Florida Bar, which only about one in twenty Florida lawyers achieves in any field. Florida Bar board certification requires at least five years of practice, substantial involvement in the field, peer review by other lawyers and judges, continuing legal education and a written exam, and it must be renewed every five years. The figures below come from each lawyer's Florida Bar profile.

Fact about the 8 ranked lawyers Figure
Board Certified in International Litigation and Arbitration 8 of 8
Years in practice 10 to 39 (median 23.5)
Languages besides English Spanish (8), Portuguese (3), French (2), Italian (1)
License status with The Florida Bar Eligible to practice, verified for every lawyer
Most common law school University of Miami School of Law (3 lawyers)

Who is included in this ranking?

Lawyers eligible to practice in Florida, with a Miami office address and international arbitration as a practice area on record, whose Florida Bar profile lists Spanish among the languages they speak. It compares 8 Spanish-speaking international arbitration lawyers, using only facts with a cited source. How we rank.

Whatever language they speak: the full ranking of international arbitration lawyers in Miami.

Working with a Spanish-speaking lawyer

You can discuss your case, documents and fees directly in Spanish, but court hearings and filings in Florida are in English.

  • Ask whether the lawyer will speak with you in Spanish personally or through bilingual staff.
  • Ask for the fee agreement and key letters in Spanish as well as English, so you know exactly what you sign.
  • When a witness cannot understand or speak English well enough, the judge has a qualified interpreter sworn in (section 90.606, Florida Statutes).

Florida rules to know

International arbitrations seated in Florida follow the Florida International Commercial Arbitration Act, and federal law gives 3 years to confirm a foreign award and 3 months to move to vacate one.

Rule What it means
Florida law International commercial arbitrations seated in Florida follow the Florida International Commercial Arbitration Act (Fla. Stat. ch. 684)
Refusing enforcement A court may refuse to recognize or enforce an award only on the grounds the Act lists (§ 684.0048)
Interim measures A party seeking an interim measure must show likely irreparable harm and a reasonable possibility of success (§ 684.0019)
Confirming awards A party may ask a court to confirm a New York Convention award within 3 years after it is made (9 U.S.C. § 207)
Vacating awards Notice of a motion to vacate or modify must be served within 3 months after the award is filed or delivered (9 U.S.C. § 12)
Court Where cases are heard
State court circuit Miami-Dade County is in Florida's Eleventh Judicial Circuit

How to choose among these lawyers

Confirm the license, ask who will handle your matter, and get the fee terms in writing before you sign.

  1. Look up the lawyer in The Florida Bar's directory and check the bar number shown on their LexRanked profile.
  2. Ask whether the lawyer you meet will handle your matter personally, and how many matters like yours they have handled recently.
  3. Ask how they charge and what costs are extra, and get the agreement in writing.

Further reading

Sources for the rules above

Frequently asked questions

What law governs international arbitration in Florida?

The Florida International Commercial Arbitration Act, chapter 684 of the Florida Statutes, together with the Federal Arbitration Act and the New York Convention.

How long do I have to confirm a foreign arbitration award?

Under 9 U.S.C. § 207, a party may apply to confirm an award falling under the New York Convention within 3 years after it is made.

How long do I have to challenge an arbitration award?

Notice of a motion to vacate, modify or correct an award must be served within 3 months after the award is filed or delivered (9 U.S.C. § 12).

When can a Florida court refuse to enforce an arbitral award?

Only on the grounds listed in section 684.0048, such as an invalid arbitration agreement, lack of proper notice, an award beyond the scope of the submission, or a conflict with public policy.

Who certifies international arbitration lawyers in Florida?

The Florida Bar certifies lawyers in International Litigation and Arbitration after at least five years of practice, peer review and a written exam.

What does Board Certified in International Litigation and Arbitration mean?

It is a credential from The Florida Bar for lawyers with substantial experience in the field who have passed peer review and a written exam. 8 of the 8 lawyers in this ranking hold it; 4.9% of Florida lawyers hold a board certification in any field.

Which court handles cases in Miami?

State court cases in Miami-Dade County are heard in Florida's Eleventh Judicial Circuit.

How do I know a lawyer really speaks Spanish?

Every lawyer here lists Spanish on their Florida Bar profile, which LexRanked checked in November 2026. Ask at the first call whether the lawyer will handle your matter in Spanish personally.

Will my court hearing be in Spanish?

No. Court proceedings in Florida are held in English. When a witness cannot understand or speak English well enough, the judge has a qualified interpreter sworn in (section 90.606, Florida Statutes).

How is this ranking ordered?

By the LexRank score, calculated only from facts with a cited source: experience, practice-area relevance, awards on record such as board certification, professional credentials, data quality and location. Client reviews do not affect the LexRank score: neither star ratings nor the number of reviews is scored. Payment never changes a position.

Do client reviews affect the LexRank score?

Client reviews do not affect the LexRank score: neither star ratings nor the number of reviews is scored. Reviews are shown on profiles for information only, and Reputation counts only awards on record, such as board certification. How we rank

Which lawyers are verified?

8 of the 8 ranked lawyers have fully verified profiles: Michael Diaz Jr., Leyza Barbara Florin “Leyza F. Blanco”, Ricardo Hugo Puente “Rick”, Gilbert Kirk Squires and Arnoldo Benjamin Lacayo and others.

About this ranking

Last updated
Methodology
LexRank v1.2 - deterministic, reproducible scoring
Editorial review
LexRanked editorial team,
Independence
Positions are never sold. Paid placements, if any, are labelled and do not affect scores.

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