AALM: Tell us about your journey to law school.
RT: I began my career in the corporate world in New York City after earning a finance degree. While I had a successful path lined up, I found myself wanting more than just “bottom-line” results; I wanted to go home at the end of the day feeling like I had made a direct, tangible impact on an individual’s life. I decided to take a leap of faith, leaving NYC to move to a different state for law school. Through moot court and internships at the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia, I discovered my analytical background, combined with a passion for trial advocacy, allowed me to tell the persuasive stories necessary to win justice for real people.
AALM: Tell us about your early career. How did you come to focus your practice on medical malpractice law?
MM: I spent the formative years of my career in the Seventh Judicial Circuit State Attorney’s Office. It was an intense, high-volume environment where I eventually served as chief prosecutor. That courtroom experience remains the bedrock of my practice today. I have handled over 150 jury trials, which has given me a deep understanding of how to present complex facts to a jury.
When I moved into private practice, medical malpractice was a natural fit. Because of my biology and pre-med background, I have a profound respect for the medical profession. My work is about patient safety and professional accountability. That commitment to excellence led me to become board certified in civil trial law. For me, that certification was not about the title—it was about ensuring that when a family trusts Travieso McLeod with a complex case, they have a specialist who has met the highest standards of the Florida Bar to ensure the proper standard of care was upheld.
AALM: Tell us about any mentors you may have.
RT: My mentor, Bill Coffield, reinforced that a lawyer’s reputation is built case by case through honesty with the court and relentless preparation. He taught me that true confidence comes from preparation, not ego. However, my greatest non-legal mentor was my father. A firefighter for nearly four decades, he always reminded me that if I found work I truly loved, I would never “work” a day in my life.
AALM: Looking back on your career so far, are there any changes you would make if you could?
MM: If I could change one thing, I would have prioritized the human narrative over the technical legalities even earlier in my career. In the beginning, you are so focused on the rules and the statutes. As I’ve matured as a trial lawyer, I’ve learned that the most important part of any case is the person behind it. I’ve realized that a trial is about restoring a client’s voice, and I would have leaned into that empathetic storytelling from day one.
AALM: Looking ahead, what are your goals for your practice?
RT: My goal is to continue building a premier boutique trial practice focused on complex medical negligence and catastrophic injury cases. I want to deepen our firm’s reputation for trial readiness while mentoring younger attorneys to ensure that first-gen grit remains our standard. Ultimately, I aim to expand our impact for injured families throughout Florida without ever sacrificing the personalized attention and trial-focused preparation that define us.
AALM: Can you share some advice with young first-generation lawyers or aspiring lawyers?
MM: My advice is to remember that thorough preparation is the ultimate equalizer. When you don’t have a family legacy to lean on, you have to build your own benchmarks for excellence. I encourage young lawyers to look toward goals like board certification early on because it provides a roadmap for mastering your craft. I wish I’d known earlier that you don’t need a family name to belong in the courtroom. If you know the facts and the law better than anyone else in the room, and you act with unwavering integrity, you will succeed. Your unique perspective as a first-generation lawyer is actually your greatest asset.
