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ABOUT ME

Meet Aramis

Aramis Ayala is a humanitarian, civil rights advocate, cancer survivor, and former Florida State Attorney who has dedicated her life to pursuing justice. She is a mother, wife, and daughter of a Vietnam War veteran who grew up with parents who stressed the importance of hard work, faith, and service from a young age. As Florida’s first Black State Attorney and a fierce death penalty opponent, she has made local and national headlines for her courage and proven leadership. In 2017 she received the NAACP Civil Rights Champion of Justice Award and was recently named “an agent of change” in a cover story for the American Bar Association Journal. This year she was just named the Champion of Justice by Harbor House of Central Florida for her work in the fight against domestic violence.  

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Aramis grew up in Saginaw, Michigan, received a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Michigan, a Juris Doctor from the University of Detroit-Mercy School of Law, and a Master of Science in Criminal Justice from the University of Central Florida. She had observed the far-reaching, multigenerational effects of systemic inequality and began her commitment to reform early in life which took root when she relocated to Florida in 2001. This marked the beginning of her work with people left behind by the system. Having witnessed the consequences of structural inequality during more than a decade of public service, Aramis refuses to stay silent in the face of inhumanity, injustice, and systemic racism. She believes in accountability, challenging the status quo, and creating safety, access, and opportunities for Floridians.  

Following her 4-year term as State Attorney, Aramis joined the faculty in the Legal Studies Department at the University of Central Florida as an Assistant Professor.  Prior to running for office, she served as a homicide and major crimes Assistant State Attorney and as an Assistant Public Defender. She has also held positions as an adjunct professor of law at Florida A&M University School of Law, as a legal analyst, and as the chairperson of the Citizens Police Review Board for the City of Orlando. She is a past president of several local and state bar associations and served as a Florida Bar Board of Governors Ex-Officio Member. On a national level, she was the regional director for the National Bar Association and was appointed to chair the Pro Bono and Public Service Committee of the National Bar Association.  

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Equality Meets Opportunity

Aramis Ayala is now running for Attorney General for the state of Florida She’s running because we need a proven leader to serve as the people’s attorney. She’s running because we need leaders with a heart for justice and an unwavering commitment to the real meaning of service. We need a bold voice with integrity, poise, and intellect to get the job done. Aramis is ready to take action and to make a change now. 

Education

-University of Michigan BA

-University of Detroit-Mercy School of Law, JD

-University of Central Florida, MS

PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS & SERVICE

Chairperson Citizens Police Review Board, Orlando Police Department

National Bar Association

            President Florida Chapter (2012)

        Regional Director (2013)

            Chair of Pro Bono & Public Service Committee (2014-2015)

 

Florida Bar Board of Governors (Ex Officio) 2012

 

Paul C. Perkins Bar Association

 Past President (2007)

Orange County Bar Association

            Executive Counsel (2007- 2008)

Legal Aid Society

            Board of Trustees (2007-2008)

 

Virgil Hawkins Bar Association, Polk County Chapter

 Past President (2003)

NAACP

 Lifetime Member

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