Don Slesnick
In April 2011, Don Slesnick completed ten years in office as Mayor of the City of Coral Gables, Florida, and served as President of the Florida League of Mayors (2009-2010). Don is the managing partner for the law firm of Slesnick & Casey, is on the Board of Directors of Great Florida Bank, and is currently an Adjunct Professor in the Public Administration Department of Florida International University. He has been in the private practice of law since 1978, representing public sector employee organizations. Prior to this, he held management positions with the Dade County Public Schools and the Dade County Police Department.
A 58-year resident of Miami-Dade County, he graduated with Honors from Miami Senior High School, received his B.A. from the University of Virginia, a J.D. from the University of Florida, and a M.P.A. from Florida International University. He was admitted to the Florida Bar in 1972 and the U.S. Supreme Court in 1985.
Don is a Vietnam veteran, a former U.S. Army advisor to NATO forces in Germany, and has served for the past seven years as an Army Reserve Ambassador for Florida.
He has been active in numerous civic and business organizations, including the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce and the Coral Gables Community Foundation. He has served as Chairman of the Miami-Dade County Cultural Affairs Council; Chairman, Dade Cultural Alliance; President, Dade Heritage Trust; President, Jr. Orange Bowl Committee; President, Rotary Club of Coral Gables; President of the Two Hundred Club of Greater Miami; and President of the Florida Trust for Historic Preservation.
He is a member of the Orange Bowl Committee, and serves on the Governing Council of the American Bar Association's Labor and Employment Law Section.
He has been recognized for his work in the field of historic preservation by the Dade Heritage Trust (2003 Henrietta Harris Award) and by the University of Florida (2005 Beineche-Reeves Distinguished Achievement Award).