Mr. Vazquez was born in La Havana, Cuba, on October 30, 1944. He has 4 children. Mr. Vazquez went to Candler College, Methodist Church American School, in La Havana, Cuba, from 1949 to October 1960. On November 4, 1960, his parents sent him to the United States of America to live with an American family in Madison, Florida. In June 1961, he graduated from Madison High School, and went to North Florida Jr. College, up to 1963, where he obtained his Associates in Arts degree. In 1968, Mr. Vazquez obtained his Masters in Latin American Studies and wrote his thesis on “The Crowder Mission to Cuba, 1921-1923.” After being admitted to the University of Florida, College of Law in 1968, Mr. Vazquez obtained his Juris Doctor in 1970, and was admitted to the Florida Bar in March 1971. He has also been admitted to the following: (a) United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida in 1971; (b) United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida in 2002; and (c) United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit in 2000.

Ms. Vazquez is presently a sole practitioner, specializing in the litigation areas of civil, family, and criminal law. He is also a certified mediator, arbitrator, and has vast knowledge in commercial, real estate, property, land use, and zoning matters. Prior to him being a sole practitioner, he worked as a Public Defender for Miami-Dade County. Along his years of practice, Mr. Vazquez has become part of several organizations as follows: (a) Cuban American Bar Association, of which he was a founder member and president (1977 thru 1978), and he is still an active member; (b) U. S. Presidential Scholars Commission, appointed by President Carter, member from 1976 thru 1980; (c) Young Lawyers of Dade County Bar, member of the Board of Directors from 1977 thru 1978; (d) American Trial Lawyers Association, member since 2000 to present; (e) National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, member since 2000 to present.

Additional, he is very involved with the community. He created the Latin Chapter of the Children’s Cancer Caring Center for Jackson Memorial Hospital back in 1988, and is presently involved in its yearly fundraising events. He was the President and Chairman of the Board for the Action Community Center from 1978 thru 2000; and has been a Trustee for the Cuban American National Foundation since 1997 to present. He has also been involved with the Catholic Church, Archdiocese of Miami’s Emmans Movement since 1994. Being a Cuban American Bar Association and Cuban American National Foundation member, he is very active in promoting human rights in Cuba.

Throughout his career, this experienced attorney has received various awards for his professionalism and ethics when practicing law. He received the 2011 Golden Eagle Award / John Gamboa Community Leadership Award from the Florida Minority Community Reinvestment Coalition.

Manuel Vazquez, Esq.
710 South Dixie Highway, Suite 100
Coral Gables, Florida 33146
(305) 445-2344
mvaz@mvazlaw.com