JD Orientation

We're excited to welcome you to Miami Law!

Review the Orientation schedule below and check back regularly for updates.

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  • PRE-ORIENTATION

    June and July: As summer begins, we encourage you to take some time to relax and start planning your move to Miami (if needed). Be sure to check out our summer reading recommendations and participate in the BARBRI Lawyering Fundamentals course, if your schedule allows. Please continue to check Memo Monday for important reminders, deadlines, and information.

    Late July to early August: We will provide pre-Orientation items and host pre-Orientation events. Keep an eye out for emails with further instructions.

  • MANDATORY - Monday, August 11

    Welcome to Miami Law


    9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
    Check In and Breakfast (Provided)
    Location: Law School Bricks (1311 Miller Drive, Coral Gables, FL 33146)

    10:00 AM - 10:30 AM
    Class of 2028 Group Photo
    Location: Law School Bricks

    10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
    Opening Plenary and Remarks from Interim Dean Patricia Abril
    Welcome Address from SBA President Iara Darcie
    Keynote Address from Commissioner Oliver G. Gilbert III
    University of Miami Alma Mater by Frost School of Music BisCaydence
    Location: Gusman Hall

    11:45 AM - 1:30 PM
    Mentorship Pod Lunches (Provided)
    Location: Shalala Student Center

    1:45 PM - 3:30 PM
    Campus Tours (Optional)
    Meeting Location: Law School Bricks - Info Tent

    2:00 PM - 3:30 PM
    Orientation Fair with University of Miami Offices/Units
    Location: Law School Bricks
    Dress Code: Business Casual

  • MANDATORY - Tuesday, August 12

    How to Succeed in Law School


    Pre-Session Tasks
    • It is suggested but not required that students have a free account with a large language model (LLM) to participate in prompting exercises.
    • Download and review the Academic Achievement Program (AAP) materials.
    • Download and review the Office of Career and Professional Development (OCPD) materials.
    • View additional resources on the OCPD Blackboard page by logging in here and navigating to the Organizations tab on the left.

    9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
    Kick Off by Vice Dean Andrew Dawson
    Location: Ring Theater (1312 Miller Drive, Coral Gables, FL 33146)

    ALL BREAKOUT SESSIONS ARE BASED ON YOUR LCOMM SECTIONS AVAILABLE ON CANELINK.

    10:15 AM - 12:30 PM
    Breakout Sessions: Maximizing Your Time (AAP) / Your Career and Professional Development Roadmap (OCPD)
    • LComm Sections A1 and A2 - Room E265 (Building E, 2nd Floor)
    • LComm Sections B1 and B2 - Room A110 (Building A, 1st Floor)
    • LComm Sections C1 and C2 - Room F200 (Building F, 2nd Floor)
    • LComm Sections D1 and D2 - Room F402 (Building F, 4th Floor)
    • LComm Sections A3, A4, and A5 - Room F309 (Building F, 3rd Floor)
    • LComm Sections B3, B4, and B5 - Room F209 (Building F, 2nd Floor)
    • LComm Sections C3, C4, and C5 - Room F109 (Building F, 1st Floor)
    • LComm Sections D3, D4, and D5 - Room E352 (Building E, 3rd Floor)

    12:30 PM - 1:20 PM
    Lunch (Vouchers Provided)
    Location: Hurricane Food Court

    1:30 PM - 3:15 PM
    Breakout Sessions: Learning How You Learn (AAP) / Résumé Workshop (OCPD)
    • LComm Sections A1 and A2 - Room E265 (Building E, 2nd Floor)
    • LComm Sections B1 and B2 - Room A110 (Building A, 1st Floor)
    • LComm Sections C1 and C2 - Room F200 (Building F, 2nd Floor)
    • LComm Sections D1 and D2 - Room F402 (Building F, 4th Floor)
    • LComm Sections A3, A4, and A5 - Room F309 (Building F, 3rd Floor)
    • LComm Sections B3, B4, and B5 - Room F209 (Building F, 2nd Floor)
    • LComm Sections C3, C4, and C5 - Room F109 (Building F, 1st Floor)
    • LComm Sections D3, D4, and D5 - Room E352 (Building E, 3rd Floor)

    3:30 PM - 4:30 PM
    Orientation Fair with School of Law Offices/Units
    Location: Law School Bricks
    Dress Code: Business Casual

  • MANDATORY - Wednesday, August 13

    Joining the Legal Profession


    8:45 AM
    Expected arrival time

    9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
    Sections A and B - Obligations of the Profession and Honor Code
    Location: Room E352 (Building E, 3rd Floor)
    Sections C and D - Professional Photos and Breakfast (Provided)
    Location: Law School Bricks/Student Lounge

    10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
    Sections C and D - Obligations of the Profession and Honor Code
    Location: Room E352 (Building E, 3rd Floor)
    Sections A and B - Professional Photos and Breakfast (Provided)
    Location: Law School Bricks/Student Lounge

    ALL BREAKOUT SESSIONS ARE BASED ON YOUR LCOMM SECTIONS AVAILABLE ON CANELINK.

    11:15 AM - 12:30 PM
    Case Study Discussions by Mentor Pods - Reading Material
    • LComm Sections A1 and A2 - Room F402 (Building F, 4th Floor)
    • LComm Sections A3, A4, and A5 - Room F209 (Building F, 2nd Floor)
    • LComm Sections B1, B2, and B3 - Room F109 (Building F, 1st Floor)
    • LComm Sections B4 and B5 - Room A110 (Building A, 1st Floor)
    • LComm Sections C1, C2, and C3 - Room F309 (Building F, 3rd Floor)
    • LComm Sections C4 and C5 - Room F408 (Building F, 4th Floor)
    • LComm Sections D1 and D2 - Room E265 (Building E, 2nd Floor)
    • LComm Sections D3, D4, and D5 - Room F200 (Building F, 2nd Floor)

    1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
    Keynote Address from Judge Corali Lopez-Castro
    Pledge of Professionalism Ceremony
    Location: Gusman Hall

    2:00 PM - 3:00 PM [Mandatory for All International JD Students Holding a Form I-20]
    International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) and OCPD Orientation Meeting
    Location: Room A216B (Building A, 2nd Floor)
    Dress Code: Business Professional

  • MANDATORY - Thursday, August 14

    Introduction to Law School: Dicta vs. Holding


    8:45 AM
    Expected arrival time for Sections A and B

    9:00 AM - 12:30 PM
    Reading and Applying Cases and Statutes (Snacks Provided)
    • Section A - Room F209 (Building F, 2nd Floor)
    • Section B - Room F309 (Building F, 3rd Floor)

    10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
    IT Office Hours
    Location: Room A216A (Building A, 2nd Floor)

    1:15 PM
    Expected arrival time for Sections C and D (if not joining the IT Office Hours)

    1:30 PM - 5:00 PM
    Reading and Applying Cases and Statutes (Snacks Provided)
    • Section C - Room F209 (Building F, 2nd Floor)
    • Section D - Room F309 (Building F, 3rd Floor)
    Dress Code: Business Casual

  • MANDATORY - Friday, August 15

    First LComm and Library Session


    9:00 AM
    Section Time Room
    B1, B3 9:00-10:15 AM (Nicole Mariani)
    11:00-12:00 PM (Librarian)    		 F200
    A2, D5 9:00-10:50 AM (Kathryn Meyers)
    11:00-12:00 PM (Librarian)    		 F108
    B2, B4 9:00-10:50 AM (Emily Smachetti)
    11:00-12:00 PM (Librarian)    		 A110
    C3, A4 11:05 AM -12:55 PM (Diana Zamora)
    1:05-2:05 PM (Librarian)    		 F402
    D2, D3, A3 11:05 AM -12:55 PM (Annette Torres)
    1:05-2:05 PM (Librarian)    		 E352
    D1, D4, A5 11:05 AM -12:55 PM (Shara Pelz)
    1:05-2:05 PM (Librarian)    		 F109
    C1, C2 12:15-2:05 PM (Christina Frohock)
    2:15-3:15 PM (Librarian)    		 F108
    A1, C4, C5 12:15-2:05 PM (Christie Anne Daniels)
    2:15-3:15 PM (Librarian)    		 A110
    B5 12:15-2:05 PM (Jill Barton)
    2:15-3:15 PM (Librarian)    		 F300


    5:00 PM
    New Student and SBA Social
    Location: Bay 13 (65 Alhambra Plaza, Coral Gables, FL 33146)

  • OPTIONAL - Saturday, August 16

    University-Wide Event


    5:00 PM - 6:30 PM
    President's Celebration for New Students
    Location: Watsco Center (1245 Dauer Drive, Coral Gables, FL 33146)

  • POST-ORIENTATION

    Tuesday, August 26: Law Student Organizations Fair (Law School Bricks)

    Wednesday, August 27: Mandatory FBBE Information Session (Shalala Student Center)
    The Florida Board of Bar Examiners (FBBE) will provide an overview of the Florida Bar application process, including the character and fitness requirements. Attendance is mandatory for all 1L students, regardless of the jurisdiction in which they plan to take the bar. Lunch will be provided.

    Thursday, August 28: Law Student Organizations Fair (Law School Bricks)

  • CONNECT WITH US

    Join the University of Miami School of Law Class of 2028 WhatsApp group, if you haven't already done so.

    Email us at admissions@law.miami.edu or call us at 305-284-6746 if you have any questions.

    Contact deanofstudents@law.miami.edu if you experience an emergency or have a significant conflict preventing your attendance at any Orientation programming so we can support you.

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