
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)
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)
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)
5:00 PM - 8:00 PM
New Student/SBA Social
Location: Bay 13 Brewery & Kitchen (65 Alhambra Plaza, Coral Gables, FL 33134)
New Student Reception
Location: Watsco Center (1245 Dauer Drive, Coral Gables, FL 33146)