Diana Santa Maria

Bar / Professional Activity

• Florida, 1985
• U.S. District Court Northern District of Florida, 2008
• U.S. District Court Southern District of Florida, 1985
• Supreme Court of the U.S., March, 2019
• Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers, Florida Lawyer's Action Group (Trustee) 2002 - 2005  
• Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers, Endowment for Academy Giving to Law and Education, Patron
• Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers, Chair, Allies Committee, 2001 - 2003
• Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers, Chair, Continuing Legal Education, 1999 - 2001
• Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers, Fellow, 2015 - present
• Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers, Board of Directors, 1996 - 2006
• The Florida Bar, Grievance Committee, 17th Judicial Circuit, 2001 - 2004
• Florida Lawyer's Action Group, Trustee, 2002 - 2005
• The Association of Trial Lawyers of America (n/k/a: American Justice Association), Sustaining Member
• American Board of Trial Advocates, President (2012) (Ft. Lauderdale Chapter)
• Trial Lawyers for Public Justice, Member
• South Broward Bar Association, Board Member, 2009- present
• Florida Bar Board of Governors, June 2013- present
• Broward County Bar Association, Member Since: 2005
• Broward County Bar Association, Board of Directors, 2005 - 2010
• Broward County Trial Lawyers Association, Member Since: 2004
• The Florida Bar, Citizen's Forum, 2000 - 2004
• Florida Bar Board of Governors, 2018 JNC Screening Committee
• Broward County Trial Lawyers Association, Board of Directors, 2004 - 2008
• Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers (n/k/a: Florida Justice Association), Member Since: 1985
• Florida Bar Board of Governors, 17th Judicial Circuit Grievance Committee (Comm. “D” & “G”)
• Florida Bar Board of Governors, CSF DR Review
• Florida Supreme Court JNC (Judicial Nominating Committee), Gubernatorial Appointment
• Florida Bar Board of Governors, Disciplinary Review Committee, June 30, 2018
• Florida Supreme Court JNC (Judicial Nominating Committee), 2004-2008
• Florida Bar Board of Governors, Communications Committee, June 30, 2019
• Florida Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism (Ex-Officio), 2004- present
• Florida Bar Board of Governors, Disciplinary Procedure Committee, June 30, 2019

Videos

• Since starting the practice of law, Diana Santa Maria has been committed to the representation of persons injured or killed as a result of the negligence of others. This area of the law has allowed her to seek and obtain justice and compensation for persons injured or who have lost a loved one due to the negligence of others and has become her life's work. In addition, through her practice, Diana and her firm have called attention to dangerous situations, conditions, and practices requiring correction so as to make these conditions or practices safer in the future. They strive in their efforts to have dangerous conditions corrected to save others from going through needless loss, injury, or death. Through her years of practice and because of her efforts, she has obtained gratification from seeing roadway defects corrected, unsafe and defective walkways repaired, medical practices and techniques perfected or eliminated, business establishments made safer and more secure, and products and services improved. Practicing in this area of the law has allowed Diana Santa Maria and her firm to pursue justice and obtain compensation for victims' losses as well as in some measure help to make dangerous conditions safer and hence make the world a more secure place., Welcome to the Law Offices of Diana Santa Maria, P.A.

Special Licenses / Certifications

• Licensed to Practice as a Certified Circuit Civil Mediator, 2009

Pro bono / Community Service

• American Cancer Society Advisory Board, 2008 - present
• BSO Foundation, Board Member, 2011
• Coalition for Family Safety, Charter Member, Officer and Director 

Educational Background

• University of Miami, B.A. with Honors, 1981

Scholarly Lectures / Writings

• Co-Author, "Seven Steps to Effective Mediation," Trial, June, 1997
• “Compassionate Gladiatrix” Presentation, Florida Justice Association (April, 2016)
• Do's and Don'ts of Mediation Oct. 2011
• Co-Author and Lecturer: "Handling Sex Abuse Cases Involving Minors in Public Schools," May, 2006
• "Proof and Argument of Past and Future Medical and Related Expenses at Trial," February, 2006
• Negotiating, Mediating, Settling, and Trying Personal Injury Cases Jan. 2009
• "Managing Your Own Law Practice," Florida Association of Women Lawyers, January, 2003
• "Depositions," Practicing with Professionalism Seminar, Florida Bar, Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers, December, 2003
• "Ten Most Commonly Misunderstood Litigation Deadlines," Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers, February, 2003
• "Direct Examination of the Plaintiff - A Demonstration by the Masters," Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers, October 2002
• "Settlement and Negotiation in Mediation," Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers, June, 2002
• "Proof and Argument of Liability in the Slippery Surface Slip & Fall Case," Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers, April 2002
• "Cross Examination of a Lay Witness at Trial," Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers, August 2001
• "Trial of the Soft Tissue Case," Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers, June, 2001
• "Frye and Daubert Hearings and Issues," Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers, February, 2001
• "Demand Packages that Get Results and Winning at Mediation," Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers, 1999
• "Handling Causation Issues in the Low Impact Case," Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers, 1998
• "Mediation Strategy and Techniques," Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers, 1996

Firm News (Newsletters)

• Lawyer Limelight: Diana Santa Maria

Honors

• Golden Key Honor Society
• National Trial Lawyers Top 100 (Executive Board Member)
• Listed among the Best Lawyers in America, 2009-present
• Martindale Hubbell Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers
• Martindale Hubbell AV rated
• Florida Super Lawyers, 2005 - 2012
• Million Dollar Advocates Forum
• Listed, Who's Who in American Law, 9th Edition
• "Best Brief Award", Robert Orseck Memorial State Moot Court Competition, 1984
• State Moot Court Team for the University of Miami School of Law, 1984
• Order of Barristers (University of Miami Law School Honor Society)
• 2010 South Florida's Finest Couples (on behalf of Cystic Fibrosis Organization)

Awards

---

AV Preeminent®: This elite award is granted to attorneys who have been recognized by their peers for their very high ethical standards, with an average peer review score of 4.5 or higher.