Spanish-American Latina of Cuban Ancestry Founded Law Firm
Meet Leila Mejillones Billings, 2023 Hispanic Woman of Distinction Attorney/Owner, The Mass Torts Law Firm
“We need to persevere, rise, shine bright, and remain strong because we never know who else we will inspire. But above all else, we must stay true to who we are and remain forever, unapologetically authentic.”
Author Roy T. Bennett wrote, “It doesn’t matter how many times you get knocked down. All that matters is you get up one more time than you were knocked down.” Leila Mejillones Billings personifies those words. She’s not only still standing but thriving.
Born in Spain of Cuban ancestry, her mother fled to New York with Leila and her brother to escape domestic violence. Experiencing a tough childhood, life was made better once Leila’s stepfather came into the picture. After high school, Leila left New York for Boston University. Despite surviving a sexual assault which resulted in a miscarriage and depression, she finished school and received her B.A. in Psychology.
While on the precipice of a hopeful future, Leila was diagnosed at the age of 21 with breast cancer that she quietly fought alone.
After her treatment, she moved to Florida, by herself, to enroll in Nova Southeastern University’s law school. Along the way she, once again, survived a violent relationship that again almost cut short her dream. However, a friend gave her temporary shelter allowing her to work full-time while attending night classes to earn her J.D. and later her MBA.
Once a lawyer, she worked in real estate until a dare made her switch to litigation. Leila worked on personal injury and then catastrophic cases for years. She later earned a scholarship to obtain her Mass Tort MDL Certificate from Duke University School of Law helping her to create a track record that Erin Brockovich would be proud of.
In 2020, Leila started The Mass Torts Law Firm as founder and managing partner. In addition to her practice, she is active with the Broward County Hispanic Bar Association, the Broward County Bar Association, Ms. Esquire, the Hispanic National Bar Association and numerous other professional organizations creating and collaborating on programs that benefit not only the legal profession but also the community. Leila also was named the first Hispanic female president of the Broward County Trial Lawyers Association (BCTLA) in its 54-year history.
Leila created Planned 2 Perfection/The Imagineer Club that offers her fundraising and event skills for free to charities, homeschool co-ops and STEM workshops. She also created Attorneys for H.O.P.E., Inc. that provides pro-bono legal services for first responders and the elderly. Finally, she created RAWR Sanctuary & Education Center (Rescued Animals & Wildlife Ranch) for our four-legged friends.
Her tireless efforts have been recognized with the BCTLA President’s Award, Ms. Esquire Perseverance Award, The Heart of Community Award, Top 100 Plaintiff Lawyers and the Top 40 under 40 by the NTLA, Super Lawyers Rising Star award and others.
Leila finally met and married Mr. Right, Kevin Billings, an IT Director. When not homeschooling, they and their son, Christian, love staying home enjoying family time with their Corgi fur babies, Simba and Nala.
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