Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (November 4, 2025) - Fort Lauderdale Associate Patricia Fors recently spoke with Law.com for an article regarding the upcoming opening of the Osvaldo N. Soto Miami-Dade Justice Center, which is the first courthouse in Florida named after a person of Hispanic descent.
The article, titled “Justice Gets a New Address – and a Name That Honors History in Miami-Dade,” explained that Soto, who was a founding member and past president of the Cuban American Bar Association, “dedicated his life to dismantling discriminatory laws” that targeted historically underrepresented groups. As a Cuban refugee, he championed civil rights and combated racial and ethnic discrimination, including by overturning Miami-Dade’s English-Only ordinance of 1980. The article notes that a ribbon cutting ceremony will take place at the new justice center on November 10 and that the building will open in phases this year. It is located near the historic Miami-Dade County Courthouse at 73 West Flagler Street.
Ms. Fors told Law.com that beginning her career at the new justice center would be a humbling privilege. She described, “I’m part of the first generation of lawyers who will grow into their practice in a courthouse that bears his name – a name I heard growing up, but only recently came to fully appreciate. I’ve learned more about how Soto’s legacy extends far beyond the Cuban-American community. Now, as a lawyer, I can more fully grasp how important his work was.”
In explaining that she was impacted by how Soto advocated for language access and equity for all people in South Florida, Ms. Fors further noted, “His efforts laid the foundation for a more inclusive justice system, and every time I walk into that building, I’m reminded of the responsibility we carry to continue that work. I’m honored and genuinely excited to argue my first case in a courthouse that stands as a testament to his vision.”
Ms. Fors is a member of Lewis Brisbois’ Labor &
Employment Practice. She handles cases before state and federal
courts and before administrative agencies, including the Equal
Employment Opportunity Commission and the Florida Commission on
Human Relations. Ms. Fors counsels and represents clients in a
broad range of employment matters including policy preparation,
investigations, wage and hour disputes, discrimination claims,
whistleblower actions, and contract disputes.
Read the full Law.com article here (subscription may be required).