Alina Salcines Restrepo: Miami Attorney, Judicial Candidate, and Civic Voice
Alina Salcines Restrepo is a Miami-based attorney with over 25 years of legal experience in civil, estate, and probate law. She founded her own law firm in 2011 and ran for Miami-Dade County Court Judge (Group 29) in 2024, earning 48.1% of the vote in the general election.
Who Is Alina Salcines Restrepo?
Alina Salcines Restrepo is a Miami attorney with a 25-year track record in civil litigation, estate planning, and probate law. Born in May 1974, she has spent over three decades in South Florida, building a legal career that moved from law school directly into private practice and, eventually, a competitive run for the bench.
Her profile fits a recognizable pattern among civic leaders who channel professional expertise into public service. Fluent in both English and Spanish, she operates in a city where over 70% of residents identify as Hispanic or Latino, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. That bilingual capability has been a practical asset throughout her career, from client work to campaign outreach.
Education and Bar Admission
Restrepo earned a Bachelor of Business Administration from Florida International University in 1996. She then completed her J.D. at Nova Southeastern University’s Shepard Broad College of Law in 1999, gaining admission to the Florida Bar that same year.
Her undergraduate degree in business is not a minor detail. Estate planning and probate work require attorneys to read financial documents, assess asset structures, and advise on wealth transfer. A business background gives a lawyer a head start on that kind of analysis. Combined with a law degree from one of Florida’s most active bar-producing institutions, Restrepo entered practice with a solid foundation.
Building a Law Practice Over 25 Years
In 2011, Restrepo formally incorporated the Law Offices of Alina Salcines Restrepo, P.A. in Florida. The firm handles a broad civil practice, with particular depth in estate planning and probate.
Running an independent law firm in Miami for over a decade is not a passive achievement. It requires consistent client retention, billing discipline, and case outcomes that generate referrals. Estate and probate clients often return for updates to wills, trust amendments, or administration of new estates. That creates long-term client relationships, which are difficult to build and easy to lose.
By 2024, Restrepo had 25 years of those relationships behind her. That track record was a central part of her judicial campaign.
The 2024 Judicial Race: How Close Was It?
Restrepo entered the race for Miami-Dade County Court Judge, Group 29, in 2024. The August nonpartisan primary placed her second, with 35.9% of the vote behind Christopher Benjamin. Both advanced to the November general election.
On November 5, 2024, Benjamin won 51.9% to Restrepo’s 48.1%. That 3.8-percentage-point margin in a race covering Miami-Dade’s 2.7 million residents is narrow. In judicial elections, incumbency, bar association endorsements, and campaign funding often decide outcomes more than courtroom qualifications.
Restrepo personally invested $40,000 in her campaign. Spanish-language media covered her alongside English outlets, quoting her commitment to bringing “gran experiencia jurídica” to the bench. Her ability to reach voters across Miami’s diverse communities in both languages gave her campaign real geographic reach.
The Wilkie D. Ferguson Jr. Bar Association, Miami’s historic Black lawyers’ bar association, highlighted her background in a biographical note. That recognition across different legal communities reflects the kind of cross-community credibility that judicial candidates need but rarely receive.
Financial Profile and Personal Background
Restrepo’s 2024 campaign filing reported a net worth of approximately $1.17 million. Her primary asset is a Miami townhouse at 13417 SW 102nd Lane, valued between $468,000 and $473,000. The property was built in 1977 and features three bedrooms, two bathrooms, and 1,222 square feet of living space on a 3,528-square-foot lot.
She is married to Robert Restrepo. Her extended family, including Alfonso Salcines, Alicia Salcines, Damaris Salcines, and Dania Fernandez, are all Miami residents. These deep family roots reinforce her connection to the city she sought to serve as a judge.
Her net worth reflects what a 25-year private legal practice can build. Real estate equity plus law firm ownership, without the windfall of large commercial litigation, is a realistic picture of a career built on steady, consistent work.
Community Presence and Media Coverage
Beyond her law firm, Restrepo maintained visible ties to Miami’s professional and civic community throughout her career. The Biscayne Times, a regional publication, listed her among credible contenders for the County Court seat and specifically cited her quarter-century of legal experience as a distinguishing credential.
Her campaign also generated coverage in Spanish-language media, where she spoke directly to Miami’s Latino communities about her commitment to accessible justice. That dual-language presence is not common among judicial candidates and gave her a distinct edge in community outreach.
What the Race Reveals About Florida’s Judicial System
Florida elects county court judges through nonpartisan races. Candidates cannot run under a party label, which shifts the decision-making burden entirely onto voters who may not follow local legal politics. In that environment, name recognition, endorsements, and campaign spending often determine outcomes.
Restrepo secured nearly half the vote in a competitive first run with no incumbency advantage. That result positions her well for future opportunities, whether in another judicial race, bar leadership, or expanded civic roles alongside community advocates who pursue public impact through consistent engagement.
Attorneys who run for judgeships and fall short rarely retreat. The campaign process builds networks, visibility, and professional credibility that carry forward into whatever comes next.
What Comes Next for Alina Salcines Restrepo
Restrepo continues to operate her law firm and remains active in Miami’s legal and civic circles. A 48.1% showing in a general election is a strong foundation for a second run. Florida judicial seats open regularly, and candidates who have already demonstrated public support move to the front of any future field.
Her story is not a single campaign. It is a career built on consistent legal work, community ties, and a willingness to step into public service. That combination tends to produce more opportunities over time, not fewer.
Quick Facts: Alina Salcines Restrepo
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | May 1974 |
| Age | 51 years old |
| Education | BBA, FIU (1996); J.D., Nova Southeastern (1999) |
| Bar Admission | Florida Bar, 1999 |
| Law Firm | Law Offices of Alina Salcines Restrepo, P.A. (est. 2011) |
| Practice Area | Civil, estate planning, probate |
| 2024 Race | Miami-Dade County Court Judge, Group 29 |
| General Election Result | 48.1% (lost to Christopher Benjamin, 51.9%) |
| Reported Net Worth | ~$1.17 million |
| Location | Miami, Florida |
FAQs: Alina Salcines Restrepo
Who is Alina Salcines Restrepo?
She is a Miami attorney with over 25 years of experience, founder of her own law firm, and a 2024 candidate for Miami-Dade County Court Judge.
How old is Alina Salcines Restrepo?
She was born in May 1974, making her 51 years old as of 2025.
Did she win her judicial race?
No. She earned 48.1% of the vote in the November 2024 general election, losing narrowly to Christopher Benjamin.
What is Alina Salcines Restrepo’s net worth?
Her self-reported net worth from campaign filings is approximately $1.17 million, including real estate and law firm equity.
Where did she go to law school?
She earned her J.D. from Nova Southeastern University’s Shepard Broad College of Law in 1999.