Marili Cancio

Marili Cancio has dedicated her life to the law, her community, and her family. With over 20 years of experience, she has distinguished herself as one of the most admired community activists and respected jurists in South Florida. As a Hispanic woman in a field mostly dominated by men, Marili has served in some of the most prestigious legal firms in Florida, leading her to establish her own law practice, a 100% woman-owned business. Equally as impressive is Marili’s commitment and determination to making our South Florida community a better place to live and work. Marili has given her time, generosity, and legal expertise to countless local community organizations and institutions.

From 2007 to 2009, Marili served as a Board Member to the Miami-Dade County Community Relations Board where its primary mission is to foster mutual understanding, tolerance, and respect among all economic, social, religious, and ethnic groups in the county. Her advocacy of the Florida Legislature’s HB 111 “Witness Protection Bill “created a new exemption in Florida law that shields murder witnesses’ identities from being released in public records for two years after the crime.

Moreover, Marili served as a member of the Miami-Dade County Hispanic Affairs Advisory Board (“HAAB”) from 2002 to 2003 then 2007-2010 and served as its Chair from 2006 to 2007. Marili has consistently advocated for “Dreamers” and utilized her position on HAAB to improve the quality of life of all Hispanic residents, encourage their involvement in matters of community concerns, as well as identify and monitor the needs and interests of all Hispanics. From 2004 to 2005, she served on the Minority/Women’s Business Enterprise Advisory Board in Orange County, Florida interviewing and qualifying small businesses on how to do business with the government.

During the Obama Administration, Marili was one of the few Republicans invited twice to discuss economic policy as well as a new Cuba policy, demonstrating her ability and willingness to cross the aisle and work together in a bipartisan fashion for the good of the nation. More recently, she was named Director of the Inspire America Foundation, a highly respected organization dedicated to fostering liberty and Democracy in Cuba and throughout the Americas.

From 2004 to 2006, Marili served on the Leadership Council of the American Diabetes Association. In 2007, she began rendering extensive hours of pro-bono legal work to “La Liga Contra el Cancer” (The League Against Cancer) and continues to serve as its main pro-bono attorney.

Marili served as a Commissioner to the Florida Healthcare and Hospital Funding Commission from 2015 to 2016 where she traveled the state attending forums regarding concerns about how to make healthcare more affordable for Florida’s families.