When most people think of the Miami Dolphins, they probably picture touchdowns, packed stadiums, and Sundays during football season. What they don’t usually picture? Lawyers.

One of the highlights of our summer was getting a behind-the-scenes tour of the Miami Dolphins Training Facility, where we had the opportunity to meet with the team’s General Counsel and see firsthand what happens long before the players ever take the field.

Our visit kicked off with a conversation about the Dolphins’ longstanding relationship with Bilzin Sumberg and the wide variety of legal matters the firm handles for the organization—from real estate development to litigation. It was a great reminder that behind every successful sports franchise is an equally impressive business operation, supported by teams of professionals working behind the scenes.

After that, it was time to explore.

One of the coolest stops on the tour was the draft room—the NFL equivalent of a war room. With draft boards displayed across the monitors and strategy taking center stage, it wasn’t hard to imagine the intensity of draft night and all the preparation that goes into every pick. Seeing the room where those decisions are made gave us an entirely new appreciation for just how much planning happens before a player’s name is ever called.

We also visited the team meeting room where players review game film, the dining hall where they refuel, and the position-group meeting rooms where game plans come to life. Every space had a purpose, and every detail reflected the preparation required to compete at the highest level.

Then there were the things that made us stop and laugh.

First, the famous metal slide in the weight room. Naturally, everyone wanted to know if we could try it. The answer? Not until the Dolphins win a Super Bowl ring. Whether it’s superstition or simply team tradition, we’ll leave that one to the experts.

Then came the 175-pound dumbbells, which raised one very important question: what exercise possibly requires those? I’m not sure I want to know the answer.

And perhaps the biggest takeaway of the day: everything is… well, bigger. The locker room chairs, the medical treatment chairs, even the booths in the dining area had taller backs and larger seats. It makes perfect sense when you remember these spaces were designed for NFL players, but seeing it in person really puts into perspective just how massive these athletes are.

We wrapped up the afternoon with a happy hour overlooking the practice fields and Hard Rock Stadium. With FIFA underway, the stadium was in the middle of its own transformation, as Dolphins branding had been covered to prepare for one of the world’s biggest sporting events. It was a fitting reminder that great venues—and great organizations—are constantly adapting for what’s next.

From learning about the legal work that supports an NFL franchise to getting an inside look at where players train, prepare, and strategize, the day offered a unique perspective on the business behind the game. And while I’ll happily leave the 175-pound dumbbells to the professionals, I wouldn’t mind another visit to the draft room.

One of the things that has impressed me most about Bilzin Sumberg‘s summer program is that it doesn’t just introduce us to the firm’s practice—it introduces us to Miami itself. Last week, the firm’s Government Relations and Land Development Practice Group organized one of my favorite summer associate events of the summer: a guided walking tour through the heart of Little Havana.

The Guayabera and the Garage

Our afternoon began on the iconic Calle Ocho, where our guide introduced us to one of Cuba’s most recognizable traditions: the guayabera. At the Havana Shirt Store, we learned about the history of the shirt, from its origins in Cuba to the practical inspiration behind its signature four-pocket design, which was created so workers could carry freshly picked guavas while harvesting. The real surprise came when our guide took us around the back of the store, where the owner keeps a personal collection of antique vehicles, the kind you’d expect to see cruising down the streets of Havana.

Fuel for the Walk

No visit to Little Havana would be complete without experiencing its food, and our next stop delivered exactly that. At Party Cake Bakery, we enjoyed a classic Miami pairing: a crispy croqueta alongside a sweet guava pastry, all accompanied by a strong cafecito. It was the perfect mid-tour pick-me-up and a reminder of how deeply Cuban culture has shaped Miami’s culinary identity.

Cigars, History, and Art

We continued on to Cuban Style Cigars, where we learned about the painstaking craftsmanship behind hand-rolled cigars. Before the tour, I had never considered how much time and precision goes into producing a single cigar. From selecting and aging the tobacco to rolling, pressing, and curing, the process can take months before a cigar is finally ready to enjoy.

As we explored Calle Ocho, it became clear that Little Havana is far more than its restaurants and storefronts. Colorful murals, public art, and the neighborhood’s iconic rooster sculptures lined the streets, celebrating the culture, resilience, and creativity of the Cuban community. We also visited the Bay of Pigs monument, where we learned about an important chapter in Cuban history and discussed the political and religious traditions that continue to shape the Cuban-American community today.

One phrase appeared throughout the neighborhood on murals and artwork: Patria y Vida—”Homeland and Life.” More than just a slogan, it has become a powerful symbol of hope, freedom, and the aspirations of the Cuban people for a brighter future. Seeing those words woven throughout Little Havana was a reminder that the neighborhood is not simply a place to experience Cuban culture—it is a community that preserves its history while continuing to shape its future.

The Grand Finale: Food (and More Food)

For lunch, we stopped at Old’s Havana Cuban Bar & Cocina, where we sampled several Cuban favorites. Between the ropa vieja, congri, sweet plantains, and the iconic Cuban sandwich, there was no shortage of incredible food. To complete the experience, we toasted with two equally classic Cuban cocktails: a mojito and a Cuba Libre.

Of course, no food tour would be complete without dessert. We wrapped up our culinary adventure at Azúcar!, one of Little Havana’s most beloved ice cream shops. Named after the famous catchphrase of Cuban music legend Celia Cruz, the shop celebrates Cuban culture through both its name and its creative flavors, making it a fitting final stop on the tour.

More Than a Tour

Our afternoon in Little Havana offered much more than great food and memorable sights. It provided a deeper appreciation for the history, traditions, and people that have made Miami the vibrant, multicultural city it is today. Experiences like these are one of the many reasons this summer has been so rewarding, and I am grateful to Bilzin Sumberg for creating opportunities to connect with both my colleagues and the community we serve.

As we move on to the Round of 32 in this year’s World Cup, the frequency of matches is slowing down, but the intensity is picking up. Draws are out, shootouts are in, and if a team doesn’t win, they’re out. Just as Team USA will be giving it their all this Wednesday in their match against Bosnia and Herzegovina, the 2026 Bilzin Sumberg Summer Associate Class is taking no prisoners when it comes to our in-office festivities.

As my fellow summers and I have previously written about, Bilzin Sumberg is holding a number of raffles and competitions to win tickets to World Cup games and VIP access to the FIFA Fan Festival at Bayfront Park. While office bingo and the summer associate scavenger hunt were both fun and lighthearted, the competition for best decorated office is way more serious. Each department has decorated a desk, hallway, or an office, and the bar was set high for the Summer Associate class as we looked to jointly enter the competition.

Nicole Shaked was our fearless leader in taking this task and making it her own. As the creative one in the group, she took charge of getting all the decorations and even volunteered her office as the one we would use in our entry to the competition. The rest of us helped with the legwork by unwrapping everything and helping set Nicole’s office up as she saw fit.

My job was to hang streamers on the ceiling. People walking by definitely saw me stepping all over Nicole’s desk, but it will all have been worth it if we end up winning this contest. I wiped down Nicole’s desk afterwards so she doesn’t have to review case law while staring at a bunch of Cole Haan shoe marks- Nicole, let me know if I missed a spot.

Our finished product was better than what we thought we would have when we started this journey. To all of this blog’s dedicated followers, please let us know how we did. If the next post you read is about our experience at Miami’s next World Cup game, you’ll know who won this competition.

At Bilzin Sumberg, between the substantive assignments, attorney tag-alongs, and packed calendar of firm events, one unwritten rule quietly reigns supreme: lunch.

While nobody will hand you a checklist or mandate it, the firm advocates for summer associates to grab lunch with as many attorneys as possible throughout the program. With two-thirds of the summer behind me, I can happily report that I have not gone a single day without sitting down for lunch with at least one attorney (and from what I can tell, my fellow summers are holding the same streak). That’s no accident; it’s a reflection of the kind of culture Bilzin Sumberg actively cultivates.

So, if you’re an incoming summer associate, a law student considering the firm, or just curious as to what it’s like to be well fed, here’s a simple, two-step guide.

Step 1: Reach out.

It sounds obvious, and at first it may feel intimidating to blindly reach out, but don’t overthink it. Every attorney I’ve approached has been genuinely enthusiastic about getting lunch. A quick email or a stop by someone’s office and to introduce yourself is all it takes. Just plan the lunch!

Step 2: Pick a spot.

Summer in the Magic City means you’re spoiled for choice. Here are the two standout stars from the rotation:

Felice — practically attached to the building, Felice is the neighborhood anchor of Bilzin Sumberg lunches. The first lunch I scheduled with an attorney was here, so thanks for starting me off strong, Karyl Argamasilla. The fresh pasta and salads are excellent, and you’ll spot about ten familiar faces every time you walk in. A word of advice: if you’re grabbing lunch with Melissa Pallett-Vasquez, ask her about her favorite Italian spot, Mamo. She’s a big fan of their Diet Coke.

Paper Fish — The firm’s go-to for sushi. My first mentor lunch with Sean Gleason was here, and I’ve probably been back about 5 more times. Simple, solid sushi. Fair warning: they recently changed the lunch menu and threw everyone for a loop. We’re still adjusting. However, I’ve been converted to a huge Obba fan over the last two weeks (thanks to Mike Morgan and Ethan Schwab). Sorry not sorry to all the Paper Fish loyalists out there.

Of course, Miami has more restaurants than we know what to do with, but given how good these two are and how close they are to the office, they’re where you’ll be enjoying a lot of your time.

Why We Love Lunch

What ties all of these meals together is something that goes well beyond the food. Each lunch is an opportunity to learn about a practice group you haven’t worked with yet, about someone’s path to the firm, or about what a career in real estate, litigation, or land use actually looks like day to day. More often than not, these conversations lead to new assignments, which deepen those relationships further. By the time the summer wraps up, the attorneys you lunched with won’t just be names on a firm directory, they’ll be people who know your work, your interests, and your potential. That, more than any single deal or memo, might be the most valuable thing a summer associate walks away with.

With the World Cup in full swing, and Miami serving as one of the host cities, soccer fever has officially taken over the office.

The transformation has been hard to miss. Decorations have been steadily going up around the office, turning ordinary hallways and common areas into a celebration of the beautiful game we all become fans of every four years. The crown jewel, without question, is the mini soccer field on the 23rd floor. Whether you’re a die-hard fan or just passing through, you’ll almost certainly have to repress the urge to take a penalty kick when you come across it.

The summer associates have been especially fortunate beneficiaries of all the excitement. We were lucky enough to receive our own World Cup merch bags filled with a hat, scarf, miniature soccer ball, and more. But the festivities haven’t stopped there. The firm has been running raffles for game tickets, giving lucky winners the chance to experience the tournament in person. Unfortunately, I have not yet been selected, but I am not giving up!

This week, the summers also took on a labor of love: we spent a full hour decorating fellow summer Nicole Shaked’s office in full World Cup spirit—our entry in the firm’s office decorating competition, where the best room takes home a prize. Nicole assures us that we all stand to gain from the prize, but I personally think she may have enlisted us to her own exclusive benefit – time will tell! Jokes aside, if you find yourself with a free moment, make your way up to the 24th floor and appreciate our handiwork in person.

Between the decorations, the merch, the raffles, and the general air of friendly competition, World Cup fever has made for an unforgettable few weeks at Bilzin. It’s just one more reminder that the summer program here is about more than the work—it’s about being part of a community that knows how to celebrate together.

Many of us arrived at Wynwood Padel Club on June 16 believing that an hour of instruction would be enough to turn us into competent padel players. By the end of the evening, the summer associates had learned two important lessons: padel is much harder than it looks, and the attorneys in Bilzin Sumberg’s Tax, Trusts & Estates Group have been quietly hiding some serious athletic talent.

The group gathered for an evening of padel, friendly competition, and plenty of laughs. Set against the backdrop of a classic Miami summer night, the event gave summer associates the opportunity to spend time with attorneys outside the office while testing our skills on the court. As it turned out, some members of the TT&E Group were far more skilled than many of us anticipated.

To get us started, the instructors led a warm-up and introduced the fundamentals of padel. During the drills, many of us began feeling surprisingly confident. At one point, after a few successful shots, I jokingly told the instructor that if I practiced every day for two weeks, I could probably become really good at padel. Without hesitation, he laughed and informed me that I was simply “not a natural.” The comment quickly became one of the funniest moments of the evening and, in hindsight, a fairly accurate assessment.

The lesson gave us a chance to learn the basics and sharpen our skills, but once the matches began, we quickly realized that returning practice shots is very different from competing in a live game. Ellina and I spent time practicing with the coach and entered the matches feeling ready to dominate. Unfortunately, our confidence may have developed faster than our actual padel abilities.

One of the highlights of the evening was a doubles match featuring Alex Denault and me against Ellina and Nellie. The match was competitive, energetic, and full of laughs. While our team managed to come away with a victory that round, everyone on the court was having too much fun to worry too much about the score.

Of course, as the evening went on, it became increasingly clear that the attorneys had been holding out on us. Jenn Wioncek was undoubtedly one of the stars of the night. Watching her play was honestly intimidating. Her athleticism was impossible to miss, and I personally decided it was best to admire her game from a safe distance rather than find myself on the opposite side of the net. If her Division I basketball days are behind her, her athletic career is certainly not.

Not everyone spent the evening on the court. Jessica once again embraced her role as the group’s premier spectator, cheering everyone on from the sidelines and helping keep the energy high throughout the event. Between matches, attorneys and summer associates had the opportunity to catch up, share stories, and enjoy spending time together outside of the office.

If the event taught us anything, it is that the attorneys of the Tax, Trusts & Estates Group are far more athletic than they let on. Should a future showdown between the attorneys and summer associates ever take place, the smart money would almost certainly be on the attorneys.

Overall, the event was a fantastic opportunity to connect with colleagues, enjoy some friendly competition, and experience one of Miami’s fastest-growing sports. It was an evening filled with laughter, new connections, and memorable moments both on and off the court—a perfect example of the camaraderie that makes Bilzin Sumberg such a special place to spend the summer.

This week I had the privilege of participating in the Pro Bono Clinic hosted by Bilzin Sumberg in partnership with the Cuban American Bar Association (CABA). Led by Raquel Fernandez from our litigation department, alongside representatives from CABA, the clinic brought together Bilzin attorneys and summer associates to assist undocumented minors who have experienced neglect, abuse, or abandonment as they begin the process of seeking Special Immigrant Juvenile (SIJ) status. The clinic focused on helping clients and their caregivers complete the initial petitions necessary to begin a legal process that can ultimately provide stability, protection, and opportunities for the future.

Supporting Clients Through the Legal Process

At the start of the clinic, each summer associate was paired with a Bilzin Sumberg attorney and assigned a client. I was paired with Savannah Bergeron, who has experience doing CABA pro bono work both as a former Bilzin summer associate and now as an attorney at the firm. Her guidance throughout the afternoon was invaluable, and watching how naturally she navigated the process gave me a real sense of the kind of lawyer this firm develops over time.

Working in small groups, we met with our clients and their caregivers to learn about their backgrounds, experiences, and adjustment to life in the United States. We sat with families, listened to their stories, and worked to build the kind of trust that made them comfortable sharing details that are not always easy to talk about. From there, we helped gather information, organize documentation, and prepare the required petitions.

A Personally Meaningful Experience

For me, the experience carried a special significance. Coming from an immigrant family myself, I was able to relate to many of the challenges and opportunities that accompany building a life in a new country. Because my client and caregiver were Spanish speakers, I was also able to communicate with them in their native language throughout the afternoon.

Those conversations created an immediate sense of connection and allowed me to play a more active role in the process. Being able to engage the client in the process and make the experience more comfortable for the family was incredibly rewarding. It served as a reminder that effective advocacy is often about more than legal knowledge. It is also about listening, communicating, and making people feel heard.

Looking Ahead

By the end of the afternoon, each team had spent several hours carefully working through the petitions and supporting their clients through an important step in their legal journey. Walking out of the clinic, I felt a sense of purpose that is hard to replicate in any other setting. I am grateful to Raquel, Savannah, and everyone at Bilzin Sumberg and CABA who made this experience possible. If there is one thing I will carry with me long after this summer ends, it is the reminder that the skills we develop as lawyers can make a real difference in people’s lives. Opportunities like these are what make Bilzin Sumberg such a special place to grow as an attorney.

If you have not already heard, Bilzin Sumberg provides legal counsel to the FIFA World Cup 2026 Miami Host Committee, and, through that work, is an Official Miami World Cup 2026 Host City Supporter. You can find a really interesting look into Bilzin Sumberg’s work with FIFA in Corporate & Finance Practice Group Leader David Seifer’s article here. As a seasonal soccer fan (when “season” is defined as only the years in which the World Cup is held), working at the firm FIFA chose as local counsel at a time when matches are being played in our backyard is giving me a bit more team spirit this year.

Inside the office, everybody is getting ready for Miami’s first World Cup match next week. While I’m sure some of my colleagues are “realer” soccer fans than I am, some of that hype could be attributed to the weekly raffles that the firm is holding, with the winners receiving tickets to FIFA events. But, employees can’t just put their name in a hat to enter; they need to earn their raffle entry the hard way.

One way to enter is to participate in the Summer Associate FIFA Scavenger Hunt. Each week, one of the summer associates will have a pink soccer ball. No one at the firm (sans our great marketing department) knows which one of us has the ball. To enter this contest, employees will have to walk to each of our offices and take a picture with the summer associate who has the ball.

This is a great way for us summer associates to meet other employees. It’s been fun meeting new people who stopped by on their quest to find the hidden ball. However, I must apologize for the clickbait-style title of this post. To those who clicked this article thinking I would really reveal the location of the ball, you are severely mistaken.

The ball could be in my office. It also could not. Those who have stopped by over the last few days know the truth, but the ball’s location is privileged information that I can’t just give up. There is only one way to find out. You know where I am.

One of the highlights of my summer so far at Bilzin Sumberg has been the summer associate mock real estate transaction, which has been an experience that has given us a look into the rhythm and strategy of real dealmaking. Representing the sellers are myself, Nicole, and Michael (“the Dream Team”), while Alex and Nate represent the buyers (I’m not sure what they call themselves). Each session has been extremely interactive and educational, and helps remind me why I am interested in transactional work in the first place.

Our first session was with Phil Sosnow and Manny Gonzalez, who walked us through the first step of a real estate transaction: the letter of intent. They took the time to teach us what an LOI is, how it functions, and how it sets the baseline for everything that follows. I was struck by how much strategic thinking goes into a document that, for the most part, is not binding. The LOI isn’t just meant to be a preliminary formality, but rather, where the parties iron out the most important aspects of the deal.

Armed with this foundation, our two teams sat down to negotiate the LOI ourselves (alongside the help of our gracious coaches, Sean Gleason and Brittany Chung-Blair). That first negotiation was eye-opening. Balancing competing priorities (prices, timelines, contingencies) while trying to maintain a productive relationship with the other side required a level of finesse I hadn’t fully appreciated before.  

From there, at our next educational session, we moved on to the full purchase and sale agreement. We learned about the key points of contention that typically arise: title and survey issues, representations and warranties, closing conditions, and more. Then came another round of negotiations, this time working through a pre-drafted contract and debating what provisions to revise, strike, or add. Once again, we were learning how to react in real time to proposals made by the opposition, as well as how to coordinate with your team the appropriate response.

What strikes me most about these mock negotiations is how they bridge the gap between classroom learning and practice. Reading about deal terms is one thing; advocating for them across the table is something else entirely. This mock transaction has taught me to think on my feet, to listen carefully to what the other side is really saying, and to approach negotiation not as a zero-sum game but as a collaborative problem-solving exercise—all skills that we are being taught throughout our time here at Bilzin Sumberg. The closing for this transaction is right around the corner, so I’ll be sure to keep the dedicated followers of this blog updated. We’ll see if Alex and Nate keep up their contentious approach, or if we’ll be able to get this deal done.

One of the great things about Summers at Bilzin Sumberg is the opportunity to spend time with the attorneys from each of the firm’s practice groups outside of the office. Last week, the Real Estate team treated the summer associates to a murder mystery night at Coral House Italian Restaurant. Upon arriving, each of the summers were split into groups with members of the Bilzin Real Estate team for the all-important task of investigating the mysterious death of Warren Peace, the reclusive Hollywood mogul.

In between bites of pizza and sips of red wine, each of the groups worked to uncover the clues we needed to solve the mystery. Due to my role as Jarvis Deedit, the long-time butler of Mr. Peace who was conspicuously absent from his will, I made the rounds during the investigation to answer questions about my whereabouts on the night of his death. All the while, my teammates Phil Sosnow and Salomé Bascuñan did their part by taking close notes and asking the kinds of incisive questions that would make any detective proud.

As the night wore on and the suspects multiplied, Phil and Salomé eye for kept us on the right path throughout. Every time I returned from my rounds as the suspiciously disinherited butler, they were waiting with another piece of the puzzle.

By the time the final round arrived and each team had to commit to an accusation, our group felt good about our answer—but you never really know until the answer is revealed. When the solution was finally revealed and our deductions proved correct, our table erupted. We had done it. Against a room full of seasoned attorneys and equally determined fellow summers, our team had cracked the case and emerged victorious.

I would be remiss, however, if I didn’t acknowledge the true architect of our triumph. While Phil and Salomé handled the actual detective work, and I did my best not to incriminate myself, James Shindell provided something far more valuable: moral support. From his seat at the table, James offered steady encouragement, the occasional knowing nod, and an unwavering belief that we would prevail. Put simply, James was the real MVP of our team’s winning performance. We simply could not have done it without his presence, his wisdom, and his willingness to let the rest of us do the heavy lifting.

For our efforts, each member of the winning team walked away with a $100 Amazon gift card. The possibilities feel endless. Do I invest in something practical, like a new pair of shoes? Something indulgent? Something for the dog? These are the kinds of questions that keep summers up at night. Suggestions are welcome!