JD Orientation


We're excited to welcome you to Miami Law!


Review the schedule below and check back regularly for updates.

 

Accordion Group

Open All Tabs
  • MONDAY, AUGUST 10, 2026

    DAY 1 THEME: COMMUNITY
    Purpose:
    Build relationships and begin to see yourself as a member of the Miami Law community.

    Dress Code: Business Casual
    Laptop: Not Required

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

    10:00 AM - 10:30 AM
    Class of 2029 Group Photo
    Location: Law School Bricks

    10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
    Opening Plenary and Remarks from Dean Patricia Abril
    Welcome Address from SBA President Brandon Greenaway
    Keynote Address from Coach Marc Trestman, JD '82

    Location: Shalala Student Center

    11:30 AM - 1:15 PM
    Mentorship Pod Lunches: Demystifying Law School
    Connection Bingo

    Location: Shalala Student Center

    1:15 PM - 2:15 PM
    Faculty Panel: What We Wish Every 1L Knew Before Classes Started
    Location: Shalala Student Center

    2:30 PM - 3:30 PM
    Optional Campus Tours and Resources Fair
    Location: Law School Bricks

    2:30 PM - 3:30 PM
    Optional IT Support Session
    Location: Room A110 (Building A - 1st Floor)

  • TUESDAY, AUGUST 11, 2026

    DAY 2 THEME: CLARITY
    Purpose: Gain a clearer understanding of the legal profession, career development, integrity, and professional expectations.

    Dress Code: Business Professional
    Laptop: Required with Microsoft Office installed

    8:00 AM - 9:45 AM
    Professional Headshots
    Light Breakfast (Provided)
    Location: Chaplin Courtroom (1311 Miller Drive, Coral Gables, FL 33146)
    • Section A = 8:00 AM - 8:25 AM (arrive by 7:50 AM)
    • Section B = 8:25 AM - 8:50 AM (arrive by 8:15 AM)
    • Section C = 8:50 AM - 9:15 AM (arrive by 8:40 AM)
    • Section D = 9:15 AM - 9:35 AM (arrive by 9:05 AM)

    9:00 AM - 9:45 AM
    Optional IT Support Session
    Location: Room A110 (Law School - 1st Floor in Building A)

    10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
    The Legal Profession: What It Is and What It Takes
    Through audience participation, reflection, and candid conversations with alumni, students will explore the legal profession they are joining, including the opportunities, challenges, and responsibilities that lie ahead. The panel will feature Professor Tony Alfieri, Alessandria San Roman, JD ’18, and Chris Lomax, JD ’08, and will be moderated by Associate Dean Amy Perez.
    Location: Ring Theater

    11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
    OCPD Session #1: Nuts and Bolts of Job Searching and Pathway Exploration
    This session provides students with a practical introduction to the legal career landscape and the resources available to support their professional development throughout law school. Students will learn about key recruiting timelines, the role of networking and relationship-building, experiential opportunities, and diverse career paths available to lawyers.
    • Section A - Room F108 (Building F - 1st Floor)
    • Section B - Room F109 (Building F - 1st Floor)
    • Section C - Room F209 (Building F - 2nd Floor)
    • Section D - Room F309 (Building F - 3rd Floor)

    12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
    Boxed Lunches on the Bricks (Provided)
    Location: Law School Bricks and Alma Jennings Student Lounge

    1:15 PM - 2:45 PM
    OCPD Session #2: Résumé Lab
    Back by popular demand, the résumé lab provides students with an opportunity to begin developing their legal résumé. The session will also help students understand common résumé mistakes, formatting expectations, and how to translate pre-law school experiences into relevant professional strengths.
    • Section A - Room F108 (Building F - 1st Floor)
    • Section B - Room F109 (Building F - 1st Floor)
    • Section C - Room F209 (Building F - 2nd Floor)
    • Section D - Room F309 (Building F - 3rd Floor)

    3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
    Honor Code: Student Responsibility, Integrity, and Pledge
    • Sections A and B - Room E352 (Building E - 3rd Floor)
    • Sections C and D - Room F209 (Building F - 2nd Floor)

    4:00 PM - 4:45 PM
    Pledge of Professionalism
    • Sections A and B with the Honorable Kathleen Williams - Room E352 (Building E - 3rd Floor)
    • Sections C and D with the Honorable Corali Lopez-Castro - Room F209 (Building F - 2nd Floor)

  • WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 12, 2026

    DAY 3 THEME: CONFIDENCE
    Purpose: Develop practical academic skills, meet key academic support resources, and build confidence before classes begin.

    Dress Code: Business Casual
    Laptop: Required

    FOR SECTIONS A and B

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

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

    1:30 PM - 2:30 PM
    AI Session
    This session introduces incoming students to the role of artificial intelligence in legal education and the legal profession. It is designed to establish a strong foundation for responsible, ethical, and effective AI use from the very beginning of law school. Students will gain an understanding of how AI is reshaping legal practice, what is expected of them as future lawyers, Miami Law's approach to AI in the classroom, and the resources available to support their learning. The session also highlights opportunities for students to engage more deeply with AI through research, innovation, and leadership.
    • Sections A and B - Room E352 (Building E - 3rd Floor)

    2:30 PM - 4:00 PM
    Academic Achievement Program (AAP) Breakout Session 
    Students will meet the Academic Achievement Program (AAP) team and the Dean's Fellows, who will become trusted academic mentors and resources throughout the year. Building on the themes from the previous sessions, AAP will connect the dots by reinforcing key messages about how to approach learning in law school, develop effective academic habits, and seek support early.
    • Sections A and B - Room E352 (Building E - 3rd Floor)

    FOR SECTIONS C and D

    9:30 AM - 10:30 AM
    AI Session
    This session introduces incoming students to the role of artificial intelligence in legal education and the legal profession. It is designed to establish a strong foundation for responsible, ethical, and effective AI use from the very beginning of law school. Students will gain an understanding of how AI is reshaping legal practice, what is expected of them as future lawyers, Miami Law's approach to AI in the classroom, and the resources available to support their learning. The session also highlights opportunities for students to engage more deeply with AI through research, innovation, and leadership.
    • Sections C and D - Room E352 (Building E - 3rd Floor)

    10:30 AM - 12:00 PM
    Academic Achievement Program (AAP) Breakout Session 
    Students will meet the Academic Achievement Program (AAP) team and the Dean's Fellows, who will become trusted academic mentors and resources throughout the year. Building on the themes from the previous sessions, AAP will connect the dots by reinforcing key messages about how to approach learning in law school, develop effective academic habits, and seek support early.
    • Sections C and D - Room E352 (Building E - 3rd Floor)

    12:00 PM - 1:30 PM
    Lunch (Vouchers Provided)
    Location: Hurricane Food Court

    1:30 PM - 4:30 PM
    Reading and Applying Statutes and Cases
    • Section C - Room F209 (Building F - 2nd Floor)
    • Section D - Room F309 (Building F - 3rd Floor)

    FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS ONLY WITH FORM I-20

    12:30 PM - 1:30 PM
    Mandatory ISSS Presentation
    Location: Room A216B (Building A - 2nd Floor)

  • THURSDAY, AUGUST 13, 2026

    We recommend using this day to attend to personal matters such as arranging utilities and services at your new residence, obtaining a Florida driver's license, exploring your new community, and getting settled before the start of the semester.

  • FRIDAY, AUGUST 14, 2026

    FIRST LCOMM AND LIBRARY SESSION

    Sections: B5 and D5
    9:00 AM - 10:50 AM LComm with Professor Mariani Room F309
    11:00 AM - 12:00 PM Research Room F309
    Section: C1
    9:00 AM - 10:50 AM LComm with Professor Perwin Room A110
    11:00 AM - 12:00 PM Research Room F309
    Sections: B2 and C4
    9:00 AM - 10:50 AM LComm with Professor Smachetti Room F209
    11:00 AM - 12:00 PM Research Room F209
    Section: B1
    9:00 AM - 10:50 AM LComm with Professor Gorwitz Room F109
    11:00 AM - 12:00 PM Research Room F209
    Section: D2
    9:00 AM - 10:50 AM LComm with Professor Meyers Room F408
    11:00 AM - 12:00 PM Research Room F108
    Sections: A3 and A4
    9:00 AM - 10:50 AM LComm with Professor Daniels Room F108
    11:00 AM - 12:00 PM Research Room F108
    Sections: A5, C2, C3, and D4
    11:05 AM - 12:55 PM LComm with Professor Zuckerman Room A110
    1:05 PM - 2:05 PM Research Room A110
    Sections: A1, B4, and D3
    12:15 PM - 2:05 PM LComm with Professor Barton Room F309
    2:15 PM - 3:15 PM Research Room F309
    Sections: B3 and C5
    12:15 PM - 2:05 PM LComm with Professor Zamora Room F209
    2:15 PM - 3:15 PM Research Room F209
    Sections : A2 and D1
    12:15 PM - 2:05 PM LComm with Professor Ocariz Room F108
    2:15 PM - 3:15 PM Research Room F108

     
    5:00 PM - 8:00 PM
    New Student/SBA Social
    Location: Bay 13 Brewery & Kitchen (65 Alhambra Plaza, Coral Gables, FL 33134)

  • SATURDAY, AUGUST 15, 2026

    5:00 PM - 6:30 PM
    New Student Reception
    Location: Watsco Center (1245 Dauer Drive, Coral Gables, FL 33146)

Cards

Top