Summer Associate, Franco Piccinini

It’s hard to believe, but the end of the summer program at Bilzin Sumberg is fast approaching! We’ve enjoyed 6 weeks of happy hours, lunches, and creative after-work events that have kept us on our toes (ahem axe throwing) and provided us with valuable opportunities to get to know attorneys outside of work. Yet even with the end in sight, we continue to attend fun and exciting events each week.

A few weeks ago, the summer associates braved I-95 and headed north to Top Golf for a fun evening with the Land Use and Government Relations Department. When we arrived, we were greeted by Jay “The King” Sakalo, who with the first few shots of the night cemented himself as the guy to be beat. We next grabbed our clubs and tried our own shots. While no one hit the ball quite as far as Sophia Guzzo or Brian “Tiger” Trujillo, we each tried our best and had fun doing it.

Eric Singer and Carter McDowell matched up with Sophi, Jordan, and I for a lighthearted game. As we each took turns hitting the ball, we talked about the summer program, the daily life of a land use attorney, and our respective areas of interest. Eric Singer and I reminisced about our childhood summers in northern Michigan (“Up North”), while Brian and Kayla competed with Jay and a handful of other attorneys in the next bay over.

Alexandra Barshel impressed all night, driving the ball with ease, while Jay Sakalo provided each of us with valuable advice, even as he beat me handedly in a one-on-one matchup. Not everyone golfed, but even those who chose not to play had a great time, conversing with each other while enjoying tacos and drinks on a hot summer night. Overall, just like every other event we’ve attended, we all had a blast, enjoying each other’s company while trying our hand at something new.

Summer Associate, Sophia Guzzo
Summer Associate, Brian Trujillo
Summer Associate, Jordan Rhodes
Summer Associate, Kayla Hernandez

 

Summer Associates, Jordan Rhodes and Brian Trujillo.

When the other summer associates and I first saw “Axe Throwing with the Corporate Department” on our calendars at the beginning of the summer, we had no idea what to expect. But that didn’t stop us! On Tuesday night we showed up to Extreme Axe Throwing in downtown Miami, ready for what the evening had in store. After watching the “Axeperts” give a brief demonstration and go over some very minor safety concerns, it was time to throw some axes! Continue Reading Axes & Attorneys

At Bilzin Sumberg, each Summer Associate is assigned a mentor. On our first day at the firm, we gathered in the lobby to wait for our mentors to pick us up for lunch. Unsure who I was looking for, I looked around nervously until my mentor, Anthony Sirven, introduced himself. We went to lunch and bonded over our love of writing and our common Miami upbringing.

For the Summer Associates, being assigned a mentor is a source of comfort. First, your mentor is someone who can answer your questions. As a 1L, I sometimes feel that I have more questions than my 2L counterparts do; however, Anthony always takes the time to answer and explain until I am up to speed. On a similar note, a mentor can be like an advisor– when I feel unsure about how to approach an assignment or a situation with a partner, I know that he will guide me in the right direction.

Mentorship at Bilzin Sumberg, however, extends beyond your assigned mentor. For example, Adrian Felix, an associate in the Litigation group, is involved in directing the Judicial Intern Opportunity Program, which seeks to pair judges with underrepresented law students for summer internship opportunities. After having lunch with my officemate Jordan and I, Adrian invited us to an event that the JIOP put forth in which we were able to meet and listen to the stories of almost a dozen judges from South Florida.

I also had the opportunity to attend a Commission hearing at the City of Coral Gables with Anthony De Yurre, a partner in the Land-Use group. Anthony took the time to describe the ins-and-outs of his Land-Use practice in Coral Gables and the City of Miami, where he works closely with the local government to find solutions for his clients. He explained how Land-Use is a repeat game that requires relationships with local officials, and how important it is to him to build value for his clients.

In each practice group I have explored, partners and associates have generously taken the time to explain their area of expertise. This helps me to gain a better sense of what area I might like to practice.

If you think back to my last post about the Real Estate Mock Negotiation, you will remember how excited I was to cut my teeth on transactional practice. Be careful what you wish for. My eagerness quickly turned to frustration when presented with the very real ambiguity that transactional lawyers deal with on a daily basis. But this frustration grew into one of the most important lessons I will learn as a young lawyer.

As with most law students, I struggle with ambiguity – I want to know everything about everything. Therefore, it was only natural that I struggled with not knowing what “market” was for the fictional terms that would be solidified in our fictional contract as a result of our fictional negotiations. I was reminded, however, that this learning experience is more about the journey than the finish. The value of this process is that I get a full dose of what transactional practice looks like, and sometimes transactional work is surrounded by ambiguity.

The frustration with myself stemmed from the uncertainty in the negotiation exercises. “Am I being too aggressive? Am I being too passive? Am I justified in asking for X%?” These questions raced through my mind. I felt uncomfortable in our negotiations because I did not know whether I was justified in asking for certain provisions or values – i.e., I did not know what terms qualified as “market” or standard. What I needed help remembering (thank you, Ali!) is that the purpose of this program is to teach me what transactional practice is like, not just what the substance looks like. In practice, sometimes what counts as market is unknown; something I completely failed to account for. The great news? I was supported by the whole team (Adam, Phil, Sara, and Ali), and I was tapping into invaluable years of experience.

I learned that in practice, you come across unique transactions that don’t fit into what counts as market or standard. The pursuit of mirroring a previous deal can harm valuable interests unique to the deal in front of you. To determine whether it makes sense to push/give on a certain point, we look to the client’s interest, not external sources. In other words, we embrace the ambiguity and think creatively about adding value to our client’s interests. I learned that in this space, this ambiguous space, the lawyer adds value. It could come in the form of developing a new solution that does not conform to previous deals, or it could come in the form of developing good arguments for why your position is agreeable. Either way, the focus is on developing a solution for your client, not conformity to the past.

In short, I am learning a lot. Not just about the process of getting a deal done but also about the practice of deal work. The team corrected for the assumption that I needed to operate within the norms of what counts as market; they reminded me that the value we add is thinking creatively about the obstacles in front of us.

Therefore, the major takeaway for me is to fully embrace ambiguity; fully appreciate the opportunity to be free from standard.

 

 

Time is flying by! It’s mid-June, and even though it’s hard to believe, we’re already more than halfway through the summer associate program at Bilzin Sumberg. Considering that the last 4 weeks have been packed with interesting assignments, fun after-work events, and informative lunches, I figured now would be a good time to reflect on some of the most memorable events of the summer.

One of the most underrated (maybe not that underrated) aspects of the summer associate program is lunch. Each day, the summer associates, whether individually or in a group, go out to lunch with an associate or partner from the firm. I have enjoyed each lunch I’ve taken, not because the chicken chop-chop from Edge is so delicious (even after the 5th time), but because going to lunch with coworkers has provided me with a rare and valuable opportunity to get to know people at the firm on a more personal level. At lunch, we talk about everything from sports to hobbies to travel, to selecting a particular practice area and effectively managing the everyday stresses of work in the legal profession. We are able to pick the brains of some really intelligent attorneys who also genuinely care about our interests and backgrounds.

Without a doubt, some of the most memorable lunches have come as a group. We have had the opportunity to have lunch with some of the firm’s founding partners, as well as with Michelle Weber and the first-year associates. We spoke with Brian Bilzin about his move to Miami, how the city has changed over the years, and how the firm has evolved with it. While we enjoyed cocktails and appetizers at PM, we spoke with John Sumberg about traveling and his love for the outdoors. We discussed land use and local government with Stanley Price, and we engaged in meaningful dialogue about the nature of transactional practice with Alan Axelrod.

My individual lunches have been equally as impressive. Marshall Pasternack and I talked about travel, art, teaching, and the scope of his practice, while he settled my nerves about making mistakes as a young lawyer, explaining that “a shot not taken is a goal not scored.” Melissa Pallett-Vasquez and I talked about our respect for a common mentor and the difficulty of explaining where you’re from when you moved a lot as a child. Eric Singer and I recapped key takeaways from a client meeting while we enjoyed sandwiches in his office. Ilana Drescher, Kenneth Duvall, Brian Trujillo, and I spoke about the intricacies of litigation while we enjoyed tacos at Coyo. And Jose Ferrer, Desiree Fernandez, and I debriefed a motion hearing while we took in the sights and sounds of Miami’s Wynwood Art District.

All of this is to say that each lunch has been different, but equally valuable. Some conversations have centered on work matters, while others have focused on simply getting to know one another. Nearly all have blended both aspects, providing me with an incredible opportunity to connect with people at the firm. With four weeks remaining in the summer program, I am sure I will enjoy many more lunches, but it’s the conversation and connection with my coworkers that I most look forward to.

Now that we are officially half-way through the summer (time flies!), I think it is a good time to reflect on some of the assignments that I have had so far. As someone who was not entirely sure what practice group I was interested in when I began the summer, having the opportunity to take assignments from different practice groups was something I was really excited about. Bilzin Sumberg has an array of practice groups which makes taking assignments that much more interesting.

My assignments so far have included:

While all of the social events and community service events have been tons of fun, my favorite part of the summer has been working on complex and challenging assignments. Not only has this helped me develop relationships with the attorneys I have worked with, but it has helped me determine what my interests are. I look forward to taking on more assignments the remainder of my summer and really honing in on my interests. And yes, I plan on taking on some assignments from the Corporate practice group.

Law school teaches us how to analyze a case, what study habits work best, and how to prioritize time. However one thing my 1L year did not teach me is what to expect at a local government meeting or litigation hearing.

In the last week, I have attended a city commission meeting with the Bilzin Sumberg Land Use department and a hearing for the Litigation department. Both experiences highlighted the importance of over preparation and being able to adjust to changing circumstances.

We arrived to the City of Miami commission meeting nearly an hour ahead of time so we could set up and organize our materials. Although I have attended local government meetings before, I was unsure of what to expect. We did not know when our item would be heard or how long it would take. But while we waited, I was able to hear from dozens of community members as they spoke about the issues that mattered to them. Then when our item came up, the team had to be prepared to find any document or board that proved relevant all within the few minutes allotted to speak. Prior to learning about the Land Use department, I was not aware that an area of law like this even existed. In just a few weeks, I have learned about procurement and how lawyers practicing in this area often attend meetings like these as another form of advocating for their clients.

The importance of preparation proved instrumental at the civil court hearing I attended as well. This was my first time at the Miami-Dade County Court House. When the case was called, Jake Greenberg allowed me to stand with him as he addressed the judge to really get the full effect. Although the hearing lasted no more than fifteen minutes, I was able to see how crucial it is to familiarize yourself with your case. Curveballs can come up and as a lawyer, you have to be prepared to answer questions and advocate for your client. Continue Reading What Law School Doesn’t Show Us

Summer Associate, Jordan Rhodes

On Tuesday evening, the Tax Department at Bilzin Sumberg invited the Summer Associates to a “Sushi Rolling & Sake” event to benefit Common Threads. Common Threads is a charity devoted to educating children and families about nutrition and healthy eating, and Jennifer Einersen, one of the attorneys in Tax, is a board member.

When we arrived, Jordan and I joked that we had learned more about cooking within the past two weeks at firm events than we had our whole lives: only one week prior, we attended a cooking class at Two Chefs, where we prepared tuna tartar, burgers, tostones, and chocolate soufflé. Sushi, somehow, seemed more daunting.

Hungry and curious, the Tax attorneys and the Summer Associates congregated around the instructor to learn her technique. She first talked to us about Common Threads and how quickly the charity is expanding. Then, the instructor illustrated step-by-step how to assemble a spicy tuna roll. Although her movements seemed effortless, no one expected the process to flow so smoothly on our end.

Once we dispersed and set out to create our own rolls, the experiment began. Despite the instructor’s warnings, I layered too much rice on the seaweed, creating a ring of white rice and sesame seeds an inch thick⁠— which made it nearly impossible to fit a piece of the roll into my mouth in one bite. Another attorney, exacerbated by the tedious process of slicing the sushi, resigned to eating his roll burrito-style.

As we braved the common obstacles of sushi rolling, the Summer Associates and I were able to familiarize ourselves with the Tax attorneys. Although we share a floor at the firm, for many of us, this was our first interaction with the Tax Department since the Summer Program began. My favorite stories were those of how people came to love Tax; whether through a class they took in law school, or through previous work experience as an accountant, it was interesting to hear about the different paths the attorneys have taken.

After another successful Summer Associate event, I’m grateful for the Tax attorneys’ enthusiasm for getting to know the Summer Associates. It is encouraging to see an entire department show up to support a fellow attorney’s charity and to spend time talking to us about life at the firm. Overall, we as Summer Associates appreciate all of the time and effort that Bilzin Sumberg channels into integrating us into the firm. We look forward to the next event!

(L to R, Kayla Hernandez, Jordan Rhodes and Sophia Guzzo)

As we enter Phase II of the mock real estate transaction, negotiations are heating up! INEVITABLE, LLC, comprised of Brian Trujillo and Kayla Hernandez (a.k.a. supervillain Thanos), is trying its best to thwart STARK, LLC’s plan to save the world. But the STARK team, led by Franco Piccinini, Sophia Guzzo, and Jordan Rhodes, is working hard to see its plan come to fruition.

At the heart of the negotiation lies a vacant tract of land­—15,000 square feet to be exact—in Miami’s very own Brickell neighborhood. The opportunity for STARK is truly a rare one (how many vacant pieces of land are really left in Brickell?), but financial incentive is not all that drives the STARK team. INEVITABLE has concocted an evil plan to own all six Infinity Stone properties. If INEVITABLE retains the property, then it will inch closer to fulfilling its evil plan. If STARK can close the deal, however, it will thwart INEVITABLE’s evil plan, gaining a valuable asset and saving the world at the same time.

Just a few weeks back, STARK and INEVITABLE entered into a letter of intent (“LOI”), a non-binding agreement that defines the purchase price, deposit value, inspection period, and closing period for the deal. Here, the parties also agreed to certain zoning restrictions because STARK will need to re-zone the property in order to close the deal. Following the signing of the LOI, Adam Lustig and Phillip Sosnow explained to the parties the art of negotiating a real estate contract. They stressed the importance of clearly defining the scope of the inspection period, which includes setting parameters for environmental testing, reviewing title and survey, and creating a technical team for development. They also spoke extensively about seller’s representations and warranties and other limits on liability.

After agreeing to the terms of the LOI, the parties returned to the negotiating table to hash out the specifics of the Purchase and Sale Agreement (“the contract”). Led by coaches Sara B. Herald and Manuel Gonzalez, the parties debated the terms of the contract, focusing their negotiations on four sections: Seller’s Representations, Default, Buyer’s and Seller’s Liability, and As Is Condition.

As the parties marched through each section of the contract, they jockeyed for the superior position, debating the inclusion and exclusion of even (seemingly minor) terms. At times, the negotiations grew tense, with each team taking several sidebars to hash out their respective strategies. INEVITABLE wanted to limit its liability by narrowing its representations and capping the amount of damages that STARK could pursue if the deal went sour. STARK, on the other hand, wanted to mitigate its risk by expanding INEVITABLE’s representations so that if the property contained a major environmental landmine, STARK could back out of the deal and be reimbursed its deposit and expenses incurred during the due diligence period. But in the end, both parties wanted to make the deal happen. STARK wanted the property. INEVITABLE wanted compensation. To reach their common goal, both parties had to give up some positions to gain others. After an hour and a half of negotiations, the parties finally agreed to the terms of the contract.

Next up, the parties will draft a new contract to reflect the terms of the negotiation. Then, they will sign the contract and move on to closing. It has been a fun ride so far! From negotiating the LOI to negotiating the terms of the contract, we have learned so much about the various aspects of a real estate transaction. The mock program has provided the summers with an opportunity to work on a transaction that many lawyers-in-training never get to do. We can’t wait for the next steps, and we’re excited to close the deal soon! Most importantly, a successful deal means that STARK will save the world once again!

 

Summer Associate, Kayla Hernandez

Since our first day at Bilzin Sumberg, we have been told how important it is for the firm to be actively involved in the community. With that in mind, last Friday, we took a break from our usual Friday schedules which usually entail wrapping up our pending assignments and catching lunch with some of the attorneys, to partake in our first community service event of the summer at Feeding South Florida. Feeding South Florida is a local food bank which serves all of South Florida. While this was our first community service event of the summer, this is an event that Bilzin Sumberg participates in yearly.

While most community service events usually begin by assigning tasks, this one began a little differently. Specifically, we were reminded as to why we were volunteering at FSF on a Friday morning — that is, hunger remains a significant problem in South Florida. This is such a severe problem that one in five children are food insecure. Statistics such as this one really helped put what we were about to do into perspective. In addition, we were also given a goal as to the number of meals our work would translate into. (33,000-ish meals to be exact!) With a purpose and a goal in mind, we were ready to start volunteering!

Our task as a group was to look at food expiration labels and determine whether something was still edible. Did you know that most food is still edible far beyond its expiration date? I’m talking like a year past its expiration date! While some of us were shocked by this information (aka Brian and I), it seems as though some of us have been testing expiration dates for years (aka Sofia). Besides expiration dates, we were shocked to find food items we had never even heard of before!

At the end of the event, not only did we gain a plethora of knowledge about food, but most importantly, we met our meal goal! It was so rewarding to see our work translate into meals for people who suffer from food insecurity. I speak for my fellow Summer Associates and I when I say that we look forward to again volunteering in the community as  part of the firm’s broader mission to better immerse itself into the community.

(L to R, Sophia Guzzo, Jordan Rhodes, Jessica Buchsbaum, Kayla Hernandez, Franco Piccinini, Brian Trujillo and Betsi Cobas)