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Jay Shapiro: A Legacy of Leadership and Impact

For more than 20 years, Jay Shapiro has been a steadfast champion for the children served by Voices For Children Foundation (VFC). A Litigation Shareholder at Stearns Weaver Miller, Jay has not only dedicated his personal leadership to our mission, but his firm has proudly served as the presenting sponsor of our annual Be A Hero Luncheon since 2007.

Jay Shapiro

Through his board service, including his tenure as Chairman from 2016–2019, Jay has helped shape the growth, stability, and long-term impact of Voices. His commitment reflects a deep belief that every child in foster care deserves strong advocacy, opportunity, and hope for the future.

During our 2026 Be A Voice Gala, Jay was honored with the Legacy Award, acknowledging his guidance, generosity, and commitment to shaping our foundation into the beacon of hope it is today.
 
We are honored to spotlight his story.

VFC: Tell us a little bit about yourself.

Jay: I am a Litigation Shareholder at Stearns Weaver Miller. With over 35 years of courtroom experience, I regularly argue cases before trial and appellate courts across the country. I am a member of the firm’s Board of Directors and Executive Committee and previously served as the firm’s Managing Director. I am married and have two adult daughters.

VFC: What inspired you to become a supporter of Voices For Children?

Jay: Prior to joining Voices, I had little understanding of the magnitude of abused, abandoned and neglected children in this community. Nor did I appreciate the critical importance and immeasurable influence of the Guardian ad Litem program. But after spending a few hours in Judge Lederman’s courtroom – listening to an unending parade of heart-wrenching stories of children who have been abused or neglected in the most unimaginable ways — I could not help but be moved to action.

Brad Meltzer, Jay Shapiro and Kadie Black

VFC: Have you had any personal experiences or stories that made your involvement with Voices For Children especially meaningful?

Jay: In 2016 I was introduced to a young woman who had been in foster care and had just graduated from a Florida university with High Honors and dreamed of attending a prestigious law school.

Prior to attending the university, she was a foster child who had been bounced from home to home and, tragically, while in foster care she was recruited and groomed by a sex trafficker. While she was under the control of the trafficker, she was exposed to unspeakable abuse. But she heroically escaped her trafficker and enrolled herself at Florida International University. While there, she single-handedly designed and implemented an online portal designed to assist children aging out of foster care, which included providing foster children with easy online access to the array of state-sponsored benefits that are available to foster children who are on the verge of aging out of the system. After obtaining a near perfect GPA at FIU, she set about to try to fulfill her dream of attending Georgetown Law School, which is when I first met her through Voices. After meeting her, it was impossible to not be moved by her courage and determination – this was precisely the kind of young person Voices needed to help. So, with the active assistance of Voices, and using all of my law firm’s contacts at Georgetown Law, we were able to secure a personal meeting between her and the Dean of Admissions, after which she was accepted. 
 
She spoke at the Voices Gala that year, telling the crowd how Voices changed her life, and it was one of the most emotionally moving testimonials anyone had ever heard. While in law school, and with the further assistance of Voices, she was able to secure a coveted internship with then-Senator Marco Rubio. After graduating, she has gone on to become a successful practicing lawyer, and she has been kind enough to keep me posted on her myriad accomplishments as an attorney. 
 
She is one of the finest examples of what Voices can do to help kids who have been dealt an unfortunate hand in life and turn that adversity into real, tangible success. Playing a role in her success – which never could have happened without Voices - has been one of the most meaningful experiences in my life.

VFC: What does giving to Voices For Children mean to you?

Jay: I have been on the Board of Directors for Voices For Children Foundation since 2007, including as Chairman from 2016-2019. My wife, Susan, is also a supporter of the organization and both of my adult daughters have volunteered in the past and embraced Voices’ important mission. My law firm, Stearns Weaver Miller, has been the presenting sponsor for its annual Be A Hero Luncheon every year since 2007.

VFC: What would you say to others considering supporting Voices For Children?

Jay: There are so many ways to get involved - through leadership, financial support, volunteering, donations, and more. Anything you do for this organization, big or small, can be transformative for these children. It is an organization that is truly worthy of your support.

VFC: Is there anything else you'd like us to know about your philanthropic interests or your experience with our organization?

Jay: While there are many causes worthy of support, my heart is with Voices for Children. Being part of this organization is both humbling and incredibly fulfilling

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