This month we were excited to sit down with Rosalind J. Matos of Matos Legal, PLLC.  Her legal career began in public interest law as the South Florida Staff Counsel for the American Civil Liberties Union of Florida in Miami where she spent almost eight years working in a wide range of civil liberties areas, including police misconduct, racial profiling, privacy rights, freedom of speech, student rights, freedom of religion/separation of church and state, among others.

At the ACLU, she successfully litigated federal cases raising civil liberties and civil rights issues; evaluated the constitutionality of pending legislation; testified before legislative committees (state and local); worked with advocates and legislative staff to promote civil liberty interests, including lobbying government officials and drafting proposed legislation. She was a member of the Miami-Dade Racial Profiling Advisory Board and a lobbyist for the Civilian Investigative Panel (CIP), which is tasked with investigating complaints of police misconduct in Miami-Dade County.

Moreover, Ms. Matos also served as a Spanish media spokesperson for the organization and participated in media interviews, TV and radio shows, debates, press conferences and public speaking engagements to discuss a variety of civil liberties issues.

After leaving the ACLU, Attorney Matos decided to continue to do public interest work and went to work with Legal Aid Service of Broward County in the Consumer Unit doing foreclosure defense work. She provided legal assistance to low-income families facing foreclosure who did not have the resources to hire an attorney but wanted to save their homes.

Thereafter, Attorney Matos worked at Glantz & Glantz as an Associate Attorney in charge of the foreclosure department. There, she handled residential and commercial foreclosures and represented borrowers in all aspects of litigation from inception to conclusion. Approximately, five and half years ago, Attorney Matos took the leap and opened her own law firm, Matos Legal, PLLC.

Tell us about your company and what you do?

Matos Legal, PLLC is a South Florida based civil litigation law firm handling cases in the tri-county area (Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach). We represent clients, both individuals and businesses, seeking legal representation in civil litigation matters, including foreclosure defense, real property, landlord-tenant disputes, consumer and contract disputes, personal injury and civil rights.

How did you get started in your industry?

I graduated from law school in 2000. I’ve been practicing law for over 18 years now, since 2001.  I landed my dream job right out of law school at the ACLU.  At the ACLU, I learned from the Best of the Best.  I was lucky enough to have had the best mentors and be surrounded by the most skilled, committed and passionate attorneys.  I learned how to be a great advocate and civil litigator, but most importantly, they taught me how to litigate with integrity and professionalism.

What is something about your business that most people do not know?

I belong to the Broward Lawyers Care Program at Legal Services of Broward County and litigate pro bono cases.  I am fully bilingual; English and Spanish.  I majored in Hospitality Management.  This background has helped me understand the importance of building and maintaining strong relationships with my clients and to always pay special attention to client satisfaction. 

Tell me about yourself.

I love my job and what I do.  I’m passionate about helping people find solutions to their legal problems.  I’m an attorney during workdays and a soccer mom at night and on weekends.  

Other than work, what are you passionate about? 

I enjoy spending time with my family and friends and love to watch my three sons play competitive soccer throughout the state.  I like the outdoors and any body of water – beach, ocean, lakes, rivers.  Also, I’m passionate about books!  I’m an avid reader!  I like historical fiction, thrillers, suspense and romance. I can lay on the beach with my Kindle all day long. 

What types of activities or hobbies do you enjoy outside of work? 

I enjoy working out at the gym, weight training, running, reading, travel, great food and wine, and hanging out with family and friends.  

Why did you choose Lakeside and how has working here helped your business? 

I chose Lakeside Executive Suites because of its location, friendly and efficient staff, the office layout, decoration and amenities. But mostly, because of the great staff!

If you are seeking legal counsel and would like to schedule a free phone consultation with Rosalind Matos, contact her through her website.  You can also connect with her on LinkedIn.