Miami Law offers a robust curriculum in real estate taught by faculty recognized as leaders in a field that covers land use, housing, and commercial real estate, as well as the environmental and tax implications. Begin by gaining a fundamental understanding of property development and investment, then specialize by pursuing courses in our top-ranked Real Property Development LL.M. program. Our students gain hands-on experience by representing clients in our Affordable Housing Practicum and Tenants’ Rights Clinic.
Whatever your aspirations, Miami Law prepares you to practice real estate law in law firms, companies, corporate law departments, state and federal government agencies, in financial institutions such as banks, or in the affordable housing field. Miami’s booming real estate market coupled with our longstanding ties to the local real estate market, offers exceptional career-building opportunities in local, national and global markets, making it the ideal location to begin your legal career. Learn real estate law in a dynamic environment and home to some of the country’s most creative architects, real estate developers, builders, and lawyers.
Some Facts about Miami and Miami Law:
Gary McPherson, J.D./LL.M. ’18 in Real Property Development“The Affordable Housing Practicum exposed me to many different areas of the law, including transactional real estate, corporate law, and tax. This exposure gave me the experience necessary to take on more complex assignments during my clerkship, like drafting various condominium formation documents, merger documents, a general contractor agreement, a commercial lease, an answer to foreclosure complaint, a response and offer of settlement to HUD.”
Development Manager, Atlantic / Pacific Communities
Fort Lauderdale, FL
*Course list is not exhaustive and does not set out a path of study.
Academic Programs and Concentrations
Clinics and Practicums
Natalie Cavellier, J.D./LL.M. '21 in Real Property Development“The Environmental Justice Clinic made me realize how much I like litigation, which I was able to continue [in summer 2020] while I interned for the Department of Justice. Most importantly, the EJC helped me learn that as a lawyer you can be a part of the community. I was able to see how important that relationship is firsthand.”
Attorney, Rural Property Rights
Braun and Gresham, PLCC
Austin, TX
Joint Degrees
International Opportunities
Alison Rioux, J.D. ‘17 (Pictured right with Tenants' Rights Clinic director Jeffrey Hearne)"My favorite experience in law school [was] my time at the Tenants' Rights Clinic, having the ability to help someone who is losing their home, the place where they have lived and watched their children grow up, is one of the most rewarding experiences that I have ever had."
Director of Operations, Azcon Construction Inc.
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
**List is not exhaustive and is intended to provide examples of past externships and internships.
Marcela Camargo, LL.M. in Real Property Development ‘16“I enjoyed being exposed to different real estate laws and perspectives, best practices, and real cases, all of which has expanded my capacity to execute with judgment, knowledge, and confidence.”
Almacenes Exito, S.A. (largest retail company in South America)
Jefe Jurídico Inmobiliario / Chief Real Estate Officer
Envigado, Colombia
The faculty teaching Real Estate Law and Real Property Development courses are among the most prominent and respected authorities and practitioners in the field - all subject matter experts, partners and managing partners of prominent law firms, general counsels of major real estate companies from across the U.S., and leading municipalities’ attorneys. William Sklar, J.D. '80 Our interdisciplinary approach to teaching enables law students to learn the perspectives of the architect and the business side of a real estate development project through a unique collaboration with our premier graduate schools. Students partaking in our Real Estate Development Workshop paired up with students from the Masters of Real Estate Development + Urbanism (MRED+U) program out of the School of Architecture and with students from the Business School and the College of Engineering. They work jointly with architectural, design, engineering, and business students, each contributing within their area of expertise to develop plans for real estate sites.
“Miami Law was not only the first to provide a graduate-level program in real estate, finance, and development, but it has evolved into the leading real estate graduate law program in the nation.”
Adjunct Faculty, Robert Traurig-Greenberg Traurig LL.M. in Real Property Development
Director, Miami Law Ralph E. Boyer Institute on Condominium Law
Of Counsel, Carlton Fields
Task Force Chair, Florida Condominium Law and Policy on Life Safety
University of Miami Graduate School Partnerships
Through site visits to real estate projects, students gain first-hand knowledge from the various perspectives of participants, including experts in zoning, environmental issues, architects, developers, lenders or tenants.