On May 29, 2026, Maria Papasakelariou (Of Counsel-Miami, FL) was sworn in as President of the Young Lawyer Section (YLS) of the Miami-Dade Bar at the Association’s 110th Annual Installation Gala, held at the Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables, Florida. The YLS comprises more than 1300 members, including all regular, associate, and government service members of the Miami-Dade Bar who are age 36 and under. It’s focus is on professional development, networking, community service, and philanthropy through a variety of targeted programs, events, and legal advocacy. Governed by its own Executive Board and budget, the YLS hosts signature initiatives such as its annual “40 under 40” awards, which recognizes emerging legal talent across South Florida. Maria was honored as a YLS “40 Under 40” recipient in 2024 and also received the Miami-Dade Bar Circle of Excellence Award that same year. Most recently, she was selected as a recipient of the 2026 Florida Bar Young Lawyers Division’s 36 Under Thirty-Six Professionalism Award, recognizing young attorneys who exemplify the highest standards of professionalism in the practice of law.