MEET Leo Peraza, Principal at FSDA Corporate Member, Bressler, Amery & Ross, P.C.
We are speaking today with Leo Peraza of Bressler, Amery & Ross, P.C., in its Miami, Florida office.
Leo, please tell us a little bit about yourself.
I was born and raised in Miami, Florida. When I was not in school, you could generally find me on a baseball field at shortstop. I attended Florida International University, where I double-majored in Finance and International Business. Prior to attending law school, I worked at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, primarily servicing clients from Latin America. I decided to go to law school at the University of Miami, where I focused on a business and securities law curriculum. In law school, I was truly fortunate to participate in the inaugural class of the Investor Rights Clinic, where we represented under-served investors in securities arbitration claims before FINRA. This experience set the tone for my legal career. Ever since graduating from the University of Miami in 2012, my practice at Bressler, Amery & Ross, P.C. has focused primarily on representing financial institutions in a variety of contexts, including customer disputes, employment, and regulatory issues before state and federal regulators.
Tell us a little about your firm.
It is inspiring to work at Bressler, Amery & Ross, P.C. When I started with the firm eight years ago, it was much smaller, with offices in New Jersey, New York, and Florida (Fort Lauderdale). Since then, the firm has grown tremendously, adding offices in Miami, Alabama, Texas, Washington D.C., and North Carolina. We have also added several excellent practice groups during that time, creating a firm with a comprehensive geographic footprint to represent clients across numerous industries and more than two dozen practice area specialties. In the securities arena, I am fortunate that through Bressler, I work with top-tier financial institutions and their exceptional in-house legal teams in a wide range of sophisticated matters. Beyond my legal work, Bressler supports my local community involvement, which is particularly important to me as a Cuban American.
Why is it important for Bressler, Amery & Ross, P.C., to be a member of the FSDA?
Bressler has been a member of the FSDA for over 30 years and counts a former FSDA President among its ranks. Bressler’s longstanding involvement is a testament to the importance of the FSDA’s mission as the single most important advocate for the securities industry in Florida. Through the FSDA, Bressler has an opportunity to amplify its advocacy for its clients in more ways than it can as an individual law firm. This advocacy includes supporting regulatory and legislative improvements for the industry and providing educational opportunities for members of the industry and Florida’s investing public. In addition, the FSDA has developed incredible community outreach programs and opportunities that facilitate our ability to educate and better prepare vulnerable communities from financial abuse.
I know that Bressler, Amery & Ross, P.C., is incredibly involved in childhood cancer charities. Please tell us a little bit about that involvement.
Bressler is involved in a several charities nationwide, and we are committed to serving as responsible corporate citizens in the communities where we live and work. Our dedication to community service and pro bono work spans our network of offices, directly benefiting our local communities. On a local level, our Florida offices are incredibly engaged with Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation for Childhood Cancer and the I Care I Cure Childhood Cancer Foundation, which have recently merged. We have had the privilege to organize and lead many successful fundraising events, and community outreach initiatives to increase awareness. Several of my Bressler colleagues are leaders and board members of the local organizations, and they have infused our offices with a tremendous passion for the cause.
Leo, thanks for taking time to speak with us today.
