Diana Santa Maria

Diana Santa Maria is a nationally acclaimed trial attorney and founder of the Law Offices of Diana Santa Maria, P.A., based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. With over three decades of experience, she has become a leading voice in Plaintiff Personal Injury, Wrongful Death, and Medical Malpractice litigation, securing justice and life-changing compensation for individuals and families impacted by negligence. Among her notable achievements, Diana secured a landmark $31.9 million verdict against Cleveland Clinic Weston in a medical malpractice wrongful death case, solidifying her reputation for taking on high-stakes cases and winning.

Diana has received numerous prestigious accolades, including recognition in Best Lawyers in America, Super Lawyers, and Lawdragon's 500 Leading Plaintiff Consumer Lawyers. She has also been honored by the National Trial Lawyers Top 100 and was awarded the "Compassionate Gladiatrix Award" by the Florida Justice Association. In 2013, the Fort Lauderdale Chapter of the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA) named her "Trial Lawyer of the Year" for her exceptional courtroom advocacy and dedication to the legal profession.

A respected leader in the legal community, Diana has served as President of ABOTA's Fort Lauderdale Chapter and has held key leadership positions in the Florida Justice Association, including a decade-long role on its Board of Directors. She is a Fellow of the FJA and a member of the National Trial Lawyers Top 100. Diana also serves as an elected representative on the Florida Bar Board of Governors for the 17th Judicial Circuit and has been appointed to the Florida Supreme Court’s Commission on Professionalism, promoting integrity and excellence in the legal profession.

Beyond her litigation work, Diana is also a certified mediator and founder of Bilingual Mediators, a sister company dedicated to helping attorneys and clients resolve cases collaboratively through mediation. Her fluency in both English and Spanish allows her to bridge communication gaps and foster more equitable resolutions in complex legal disputes.

Diana earned both her undergraduate and Juris Doctor degrees from the University of Miami, where she excelled in Moot Court and Mock Trial, earning the prestigious Best Brief Award in the Robert Orseck Memorial Moot Court Competition. She has also served on the Board of Directors for the Broward County Trial Lawyers Association and remains an active sustaining member of the American Justice Association.

Diana Santa Maria’s dedication to her clients, her leadership in the legal profession, and her commitment to community engagement exemplify her lifelong mission to pursue justice with compassion, integrity, and tenacity.