Judge Ariel Rodriguez: Professional Background and Legal Expertise

The Hon. Ariel Rodriguez is a judge for the 11th Judicial Circuit Court of Florida in Miami-Dade County. He was elected to the bench in 2022.

Rodriguez has held an assignment in the Circuit Criminal Division.

Prior to his election, he was a trial attorney for the Office of the United States Trustee, where he litigated bankruptcy matters since joining the office in 2006. Before his position there, Rodriguez was in private practice as an associate at Katz Barron Squitero Faust (2005 to 2006); Sacher, Zelman, Hartman, Paul, Beiley & Sacher, P.A. (2003 to 2005); Genovese, Joblove & Battista, P.A. (2001 to 2003); and Gunster, Yoakley & Stewart, P.A. (2000 to 2001).

He received a B.S. in industrial and labor relations from Cornell University in 1994. Rodriguez then completed a J.D. at the University of Notre Dame Law School in 1998.

After graduating from law school, he began his legal career as a judicial law clerk to the Hon. Stephan S. Mitchell with the United States Bankruptcy Court, clerking there for two years (1998 to 2000).

Rodriguez has also acted as a guardian ad litem for the Florida Guardian ad Litem Association, Inc. and has been a guest lecturer for the Cuban American Bar Association’s Civility and Professionalism Committee, the City of Doral Police Service Aide Academy, and the Law Academy at Brownsville Middle School, to name a few.

His memberships include the Federalist Society, the Miami-Dade Bar, and the Miami Catholic Lawyers Guild (Director).

From a civic standpoint, Rodriguez has served for several years as a football official for both college and high school football, including for the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. He also served as an admissions ambassador for Cornell University and is a graduate of the Citizens Police Academy of the City of Doral and Miami-Dade Police.

Rodriguez attended Monsignor Edward Pace High School, graduating in 1990.