Ailen Cruz joined the firm in 2016 and focuses her practice on litigation and arbitration of business disputes and representation of clients in regulatory matters, with a focus on the financial services industry. Ailen represents brokerage firms, financial institutions, and their associated persons in the federal and state courts, in arbitration, and before the various agencies that regulate the securities industry, including FINRA, the SEC, and state regulatory agencies.
Ailen earned her law degree cum laude from the University of Florida Levin College of Law, where she was a member of the Jessup Moot Court, was a teaching assistant for Legal Research and Writing and Appellate Advocacy, served as an ambassador for the Introduction to Law School and the Profession, was an officer in the Law Association for Women, and mentored underprivileged children through the Law Mentoring Program. She received the Book Award in the Human Side of Lawyering class and was inducted into Phi Delta Phi, an international legal honor society. Ailen interned with the Honorable Samantha Ward of the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit and worked as an extern for Three Rivers Legal Services, serving the indigent population in Gainesville, Florida. Prior to attending law school, Ailen graduated cum laude from the University of Florida with a degree in English and a minor in Business Administration.
Ailen has been very involved in the community, currently serving as President of Tampa Crossroads, Inc., a local nonprofit. She has also served on the Board of Directors for the Carrollwood Area Business Association. She is fluent in written and spoken Spanish. Ailen was selected to the 2018-2019 Tampa Connection class.
Read More
Professional Affiliations
- Federal Bar Association, Tampa Bay Chapter
- Hillsborough County Bar Association
- Hillsborough Association for Women Lawyers
- Hillsborough County Bar Association, Leadership Institute Class, 2017-2018
- Tampa Connection Class, 2018-2019
Education
- J.D., cum laude, University of Florida Levin College of Law, 2013
- B.A., English, cum laude, University of Florida, 2010
Bar Admissions
- Florida
Court Admissions
- United States District Court, Middle District of Florida
Affiliations
- Tampa Crossroads, Inc., President
- Carrollwood Area Business Association, Member
- Tampa Hispanic Bar Association, Member
Distinctions
- Book Award, Human Side of Lawyering, University of Florida Levin College of Law
- Phi Delta Phi International Legal Honor Society
- Recipient, Merit Scholarship, University of Florida Levin College of Law, 2010-2013