From Havana to Miami
Roland Sanchez-Medina Jr. was born in Havana, Cuba, in 1966. His family fled the country when he was a child. The journey to the United States was not simple. It involved secret flights, uncertain visas, and a long road through the Republic of the Congo, South Africa, and Spain.
“There weren’t a lot of choices in where to go,” he recalled. “It could have been North Korea. The point was: let’s just get off the island.”
His father, a Cuban orthopedic surgeon, worked under a Cuban government exchange program. But the family wanted freedom. So, they left secretly for South Africa and later moved to Spain. They eventually landed in Philadelphia, where his father got a job at Albert Einstein Medical Center. The family later moved to Miami.
This immigrant story shaped Sanchez-Medina’s outlook. “There’s still a part of me that has a little of the immigrant personality,” he said. “I never wanted to waste the opportunity my parents gave me.”
Education and the Law
Sanchez-Medina graduated from Belen Jesuit Preparatory School in 1983. He earned a B.B.A. in Finance and Economics from the University of Miami in 1987. After a short stint in banking, he decided law was a better fit.
“I didn’t see myself doing that,” he said about his banking job. “So, I applied to law school.”
He earned his J.D. with honors from Boston College Law School in 1991, then an LL.M. in Taxation from New York University in 1992.
He knew early on that he wasn’t interested in litigation. “Civil procedure and evidence were just anathema to me,” he said. “I liked corporate law, partnership tax, and income tax.”
Career and SMGQ Law
His legal career started at Mershon Sawyer, followed by Holland & Knight LLP, and later McDermott, Will & Emery, where he became a partner in the corporate department. In 2007, he co-founded SMGQ Law in Coral Gables, Florida.
Over the years, Sanchez-Medina has represented major clients, including:
- The Miami Heat in a $20 million credit deal
- Estate Investments Group in a $57.8 million construction loan
- Televisa S.A. de C.V. in a $20 million IP purchase
- Private equity funds and real estate developers across the U.S.
He also served as corporate counsel for Neff Rental for over 15 years.
Bar Leadership and Outreach
Sanchez-Medina joined the Cuban American Bar Association (CABA) shortly after law school and became its president in 2009. That role launched his deeper involvement in The Florida Bar.
In 2024, he became President of The Florida Bar. One of his main goals is simple: outreach.
“I want to bring in more people to the Bar,” he said. “Only 15–20% of members vote in elections. I want to change that.”
He believes many lawyers don’t realize the benefits of Bar involvement. “There’s the friendships, the communication,” he said. “And from a business perspective, there’s value too.”
Focus on Inclusion and Mental Health
As Bar president, Sanchez-Medina also wants to create a more welcoming legal community.
“I want a softer, kinder, gentler Bar,” he said. He wants to shift the culture so lawyers aren’t only interacting with the Bar when they face complaints.
He also supports mental health initiatives like Florida Lawyers Assistance, Inc. and the Florida Lawyers Helpline. These programs offer confidential support for attorneys facing stress or substance use issues.
“The profession itself is very difficult,” he said. “We need to support lawyers before things fall apart.”
Giving Back
Outside the courtroom, Sanchez-Medina has mentored students, young lawyers, and even at-risk youth.
Years ago, he met a 13-year-old Haitian immigrant through a program in Overtown, Miami. He mentored him for years, brought him into his home, and helped him land his first job. That young man is now a successful IT consultant.
He also helped a former associate, Michael Montiel, become a partner at SMGQ Law. “He has a natural ability to earn trust,” Montiel said. “He knows how to close deals and bridge gaps.”
In 2018, when his daughter was attending Harvard, Sanchez-Medina arranged a tour for a group of low-income Miami students. “Those are the little things that matter,” said Liliam Lopez, president of the South Florida Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.
Personal Life
He lives in Coral Gables with his wife, Johanna Armengol, also an attorney. They have three children: Mariana, Alessandra, and Christian.
His late father, known as “the king of Cuban orthopedics,” continues to inspire him. “There are parts of me I got from him,” he said. “He was charming, loved his work, and made people feel at ease.”
Sanchez-Medina’s life blends corporate law, leadership, and service. His immigrant roots drive his work ethic and empathy. As Florida Bar president, he’s focused on connection, inclusion, and support.
“When has everything not worked out for you?” he once told his daughter during a stressful time. It’s a reminder he often gives others too, simple, direct, and hopeful.
Interview with Roland Sanchez-Medina
What was it like growing up as a Cuban immigrant coming to the U.S.?
It was a journey filled with uncertainty. We left Cuba when I was very young and passed through Africa and Spain before settling in the U.S. My parents gave up everything to find freedom. Watching them start over with limited resources taught me grit, gratitude, and a deep sense of responsibility to make the most of every opportunity.
What motivated you to pursue a career in law?
Initially, I studied finance and worked at a bank, but I quickly realized it wasn’t for me. I liked problem-solving, structure, and logic, which naturally led me to law. I wasn’t drawn to courtroom drama. I preferred business law, tax, and real estate because they involve building things, not breaking them apart.
What’s been the most rewarding part of leading The Florida Bar?
Seeing new lawyers and underrepresented groups get involved has been incredibly fulfilling. Many lawyers think the Bar is distant or only disciplinary. I want to change that. When someone tells me they felt welcomed or inspired to participate because of something we did, those moments make it all worth it.
How do you see the Bar evolving to better support attorneys?
I think we’re moving toward a more human-centered approach. The profession is demanding, mentally and emotionally. Programs like Florida Lawyers Assistance and the helpline are steps in the right direction. I want us to go beyond compliance and foster a culture where lawyers feel supported and seen before problems escalate.
You’ve mentored many people throughout your career. Why is that important to you?
Mentorship changes lives. I’ve seen firsthand what a little guidance can do, whether it’s helping a kid from a tough background find direction or seeing a young associate grow into a partner. My mentors opened doors for me. I believe it’s my job now to hold that door open for others.
What advice would you give to young lawyers starting out today?
Be present. Listen. Be honest with yourself and others. Also, relationships matter. The way you treat colleagues, clients, and even opposing counsel can define your reputation. And never stop learning. This profession will challenge you constantly, emotionally and intellectually, but if you embrace that, it can be a very rewarding life.
