I was in a great mood during the forty minute bus ride from Brickell to Miami Gardens. We had just finished our birthday celebration for Ashton where I devoured multiple Bundtinis from Nothing Bundt Cakes (no calories on Ashton’s birthday!), and I had been receiving incredible date night recommendations throughout the entirety of the ride. However, I was particularly excited because this day marked my first time going to Hard Rock Stadium, the home of the Miami Dolphins, the Miami Grand Prix, and the Miami Open.

Upon arrival, we immediately got a sense of the team’s history as we passed a Don Shula statue by the entrance. Once inside, we were escorted through a lobby filled with Dolphins’ logos and plaques commemorating famous players, coaches, and years in Dolphins history.

After we reached the recently constructed Paddock Club overlooking the F1 track, we were given a presentation describing the role of a Dolphins in-house attorney. We learned that a team of around five people at Hard Rock Stadium must do everything from defend litigations against angry neighbors and ex-employees, attain temporary work visas for cheerleaders, and send, or at least encourage the NFL to send, cease-and-desist letters to fans using the Dolphins’ logos without the team’s authorization.

After hearing from the Dolphins’ general counsel, we received a tour of the rest of the stadium. We were shown the Dolphins’ two super bowl trophies, dining rooms that could fit hundreds of people, luxury suits made to look like famous bars and clubs in Miami, artwork that could only be deciphered by looking through a camera lens, and glimpses into the stage building for Shakira’s upcoming concert.

Despite the incredible tour, what I will likely remember most from this day had nothing to do with the Dolphins. Rather, I received a piece of advice from Jessica Buchsbaum that I will never forget: never use an accent in a job interview.

After spending seven years in the working world before heading to law school, I wasn’t sure what it would feel like to press pause on a full-time career and dive into textbooks and cold calls. As rewarding (and intense) as my 1L year was, by the time May rolled around, I was more than ready to get back to the real world—this time with a new purpose and some legal training under my belt. I was excited to put what I had learned to use and take on new challenges outside the classroom.

From the jump, the summer program at Bilzin Sumberg delivered. I’ve had the chance to sit in on presentations where our attorneys advocated for client applications tied to exciting new development projects, worked on legal briefs dealing with some fascinating constitutional issues, and teamed up with the other summer associates for a mock real estate transaction that let us test our negotiation skills and have a little fun while we were at it.

What has made the experience even better is the firm’s atmosphere. Yes, the work is serious and high-stakes, but the people here don’t take themselves too seriously. Everyone’s approachable, supportive, and genuinely invested in making sure summer associates get the most out of the program. We’re treated to daily (free!) lunches with attorneys, plus plenty of fun events—like a tour of the Dolphins stadium, a cooking challenge, and other activities—that get us out of the office and give us a chance to connect outside of work.

Spending the summer at Bilzin Sumberg has been the perfect way to reenter professional life—surrounded by smart, welcoming people and doing work that matters. It has been a great reminder of why I chose to go to law school in the first place.

With the potential for disastrous results when used incorrectly, it is easy to see why a law firm would approach the use of AI in practice with trepidation and wariness. However, in the short two weeks since starting at the firm, I have seen how Bilzin Sumberg stands ready to harness the potential that exists by utilizing AI in the legal field.

As someone who was required to utilize legal-specific AI tools in law school, I was pleasantly surprised to see in my first week at Bilzin Sumberg that we would not only have access to Westlaw’s AI tool (CoCounsel) but receive training on how to use it ethically and efficiently. As a part of the first summer associate class to have this opportunity, below are some insights I have gathered so far:

  1. Risks
    It would be hard to overstate the risks that come with the unbridled use of AI in the legal profession. However, AI is often an overused and ambiguous term. For example, “the use of AI” could refer to everything from a simple Google search to having a computer program write an entire 500 page lease. We received guidance on various types of AI and when they are and are not appropriate to use. We also learned about the legal and ethical obligations that one has when utilizing them.
  2. Opportunities
    Legal specific AI tools allow lawyers to gain many of the advantages of AI without many of the risks involved with other generative AI tools such as ChatGPT and Gemini (client privacy, rampant hallucinations, etc.). However, like any tool, the output is only as effective as the input. Therefore, it was so helpful to receive training on how to optimize our use of Westlaw’s CoCounsel AI platform to achieve the best results and avoid any of the pitfalls that can come with using the tool. A good prompt can make all the difference between a result that saves you (and your client) hours of time and a result that leads you down a rabbit hole of wasted time. When used correctly, I have already seen how using Westlaw’s AI-assisted research can save hours of initial research—so it pays off learning how to use it effectively.
  3. Opportunities for Summer Associates in Particular
    One of the things that the firm’s general counsel, Jeff Snyder, mentioned was that AI is one of the few areas where inexperienced attorneys will often have more knowledge than established attorneys. That is not to say that you are expected to come in with knowledge of how to use generative AI platforms, but rather that you have a unique opportunity to be an expert in something so early on in your career. And that area happens to be something that is likely to have a profound impact on the future of the profession.

For example, it is easy to see how—not long from now—the use of AI in legal research will become a competitive necessity. In other words, clients will expect to pay for the precision and efficiency of research that is possible only with assistance by AI. By responsibly leveraging AI, as a summer associate you have an opportunity to complete your work more efficiently and with greater breadth. But, beyond that, you have the opportunity to help shape the future of the legal practice by developing best practices and efficient habits that will hopefully allow you to pass those on to others at the firm. As courts and other bodies begin to develop and implement guidelines for the use of AI, who better to help interpret those rules than a practitioner who has been using AI since the start of their career?

One of the most meaningful aspects of the summer associate experience at Bilzin Sumberg has been the firm’s emphasis on mentorship. From the very first day of orientation, each summer associate was thoughtfully paired with a mentor aligned with their practice area of interest. Since then, regular lunches, coffee chats, and impromptu hallway conversations have opened the door to candid advice and meaningful feedback.

Whether it’s asking for guidance on an assignment or bouncing outfit ideas for the next firm event, our mentors have been invaluable in helping us get acclimated during the first few weeks of the program. My mentor, Kayla Hernandez, an associate in the firm’s litigation group, has been an incredible source of support. From tackling assignments to offering insight on scheduling lunches, Kayla has been my go-to for navigating the day-to-day at the firm.

Navigating the Social Sphere

After speaking with several of the mentors, one piece of advice was universal: interact with as many people as you can.

“Meet as many people as possible,” said Hannah Lidicker, an associate in the firm’s real estate group. When selecting your practice group, she advised, “Think about finding people you get along with, can ask questions to, and feel like will be good mentors to you in the future.”

John Trach, an associate in the firm’s corporate group echoed a similar sentiment: “Walk around and introduce yourself to everyone—the staff and attorneys.”

Kayla emphasized the importance of branching out beyond your practice area of interest: “Use the lunches and events to get to know people outside of the practice group you are interested in—it becomes a lot harder to do so once you start working.”

Approaching Assignments: Learning Through the Process

Our mentors not only help us navigate the social landscape but also provide valuable guidance on approaching assignments and making the most of the learning experience.

“Be over communicative and ask lots of questions,” said Kayla. She indicated the importance of making sure “you are doing the assignment that is being asked of you.”

Hannah also stressed the importance of doing good work but reminded us that, while we are being assessed to determine if we will be a good member of a deal or case team, we should also look for people we want on our own team in the future.

John highlighted the value of a hands-on learning approach, suggesting sitting in on calls or shadowing a partner or senior associate to observe their client interactions, time management, and problem-solving strategies. “Be curious about the matters you are working on,” said John. “We have amazing relationships with our clients that have often existed for decades. Learning about and appreciating that history is an interesting and important part of understanding the current client relationship.”

Foundations for What’s Ahead

As the summer begins, it’s clear that mentorship is not just a feature of the program, it’s a foundation. These first two weeks have shown us that we’re not navigating the summer alone. With mentors who are generous with their time, honest in their advice, and invested in our success, we’re entering the rest of the program with enthusiasm, curiosity, and a network we can rely on.

Summer Associate Ashton Terrigno with mentor John Trach

Summer Associate Carolina Varas with mentor Hannah Lidicker

This week, the summer associates and the corporate department joined forces in the kitchen for a mystery cooking challenge that turned out to be one of the most creative (and delicious) team building exercises I have ever participated in.

We met at the prestigious Miami Culinary Institute, where we were welcomed with refreshments and a cheese board before the real challenge began. After laying out the ground rules, the program director divided us into four teams, each composed of a mix of partners, associates, and summer associates. Every group was given a basket containing a piece of salmon, a steak, and an assortment of fruits, vegetables and starches. Our task was to work with our teams to create two distinct dishes using only the ingredients provided. There would be no phones, no recipes, and much to Melissa Pallett-Vasquez’s dismay, no Instacart orders for special ingredients.

After the clock was set to 75 minutes and Joshua Kaplan started playing some tunes, we were off. Each team quickly huddled to brainstorm their menu ideas, delegate tasks, and figure out how to make the most of their ingredients without overcrowding their plate. Thankfully, we had access to a sous-chef to answer our more technical culinary questions and manage a few ingredient-swapping negotiations that took place. (Special thanks to David Resnick for generously parting with a lemon for Team 2!)

The cooking process was as collaborative as it was chaotic. Whether someone was searing steak, roasting potatoes, or prepping vegetables, every team member jumped in to help. Everyone was working towards a shared goal: bragging rights and the unofficial title of Bilzin Sumberg’s Top Chefs.

The event was also a great way to get to know each other. Personalities, strengths, and leadership styles emerged quickly under pressure. The challenge served as a fun icebreaker for those of us unfamiliar with the members of the corporate department, and gave everyone a chance to work together creatively in an unusual setting.

Once time was up, each team plated their meals and presented them to Chef Paul for judging. He offered insightful, constructive feedback to each team regarding their presentation, technique and flavor profiles. Ultimately, the culinary crown went to Team 3, made up of Ashley Ware, Devin Amdursky, Betsi Cobas, and Robert Lee.

After the competition was done, everyone sat down and enjoyed a meal together, this time as one team. All in all, the cooking challenge was a refreshing way to connect with members of the firm, learn from each other, and see how well we work under pressure – with aprons instead of suits this time.

Check out Betsi Cobas and David Seifer’s photos below to see us in action!

Team 2 looking calm confident before the start of the competition.
L to R: Alexander Spillis, Carolina Varas, & Sanika Nanda (Not Pictured: Joshua Kaplan & David Seifer)
Team 4 showing us that proper meal prep is what sets a dish apart.
L to R: Erin Stafford, Ashton Terrigno, Doug Aguililla, & Melissa Pallett-Vasquez
Team 1 dividing and conquering their menu tasks.
L to R: John Trach, Adan Ordonez, Alex Haller, David Resnick, & Ben Greni
Team 3 holding up the winning dish!
L to R: Robert Lee, Ashley Ware, Devin Amdursky, & Betsi Cobas

After three intensive days of summer associate orientation, Bilzin Sumberg treated us to our first firm event ¬– the Welcome Reception. It was the perfect event to kick off the summer, as it gave us the opportunity to meet and make personal connections with the seasoned attorneys that we will be working with over the next nine weeks.

As we walked in, we couldn’t help but notice the transformation of the conference room. The long table that we spent the first three days training at had turned into a welcoming array of cocktail tables with attorneys waiting to strike up conversation.

While it was labeled as a wine and cheese event, there was certainly more to eat than just cheese. Bilzin provided an extravagant buffet for us, including two of my favorite foods: sushi and fried chicken. In addition to the food, there was a complete wine and drinks bar, which included the special appearance of Sara Herald serving the first drinks of the night!

Al Dotson took this wonderful event as an opportunity to put the summer associates on the spot. Gathering us at the front of the room, Al asked each summer associate to introduce themselves to the group. Thankfully, Al kept it simple and did not ask for the classic “fun fact,” which surely would have made the summer associates’ minds race. Instead, we were asked to give our name, law school, year, and practice group of interest.

Summer associates try to stay calm as they listen to the task given by Al Dotson.
L to R: Ben Greni, Adan Ordonez, Carolina Varas, Ashley Ware, Alex Spillis, Ashton Terrigno, Devin Amdursky

Everybody loves a little friendly competition, and it was on display as each of the introductions were met with roars, cheers, and boos. Whether it was cheering on their alma mater (hopefully the University of Miami) or their practice group, the attorneys made it clear where their loyalty stands. The biggest plot twist of the introductions came when Carolina Varas, a University of Miami law student, quickly announced her allegiance to her undergraduate school, the University of Florida, sending the room into utter chaos.

After introductions, the next two hours flew by. The room filled with big smiles, belly laughs, and meaningful conversations. People dug into food, sipped on their drinks, and made genuine connections with everyone around them. Before you knew it, Jessica Buchsbaum was ending the event as the sun began to set. It was the perfect kickoff to a summer that will certainly hold unforgettable memories, challenges, and experiences.

Ever since I filled out my dessert survey, I have been eagerly awaiting a special event. I am not referring to my first day interning at Bilzin Sumberg, my first summer associate lunch with Jessica Buchsbaum, or even my first impromptu Joe in the Juice hangout with John Trach. Rather, the only thing that got me through a dreadful finals week was imagining what Jessica and Paul VanderMeer were going to bake in what has become an annual summer tradition at Bilzin: the bake off.

For those unfamiliar with the historic Bilzin tradition, the bake off is a competition between Jessica and Paul where each bake two goods specifically catered to the summer associates’ tastes. Upon entering the library where the bake off is held, the summer associates (and Eric Singer) fill our plates as much as we like, taste each dessert, and subsequently indicate which desserts were our favorite by ranking them one through four.

This year, the summer associates were presented with four incredible options: (1) a tiramisu, (2) brownies stuffed with caramel and topped with powdered sugar, (3) dark chocolate, fudge-like brownies, and (4) a vanilla cheesecake with a graham cracker crust alongside several bowls of optional toppings. I had a small bite of each and voted quickly. Others spent minutes internally debating questions like: “Which is the better brownie?” “Did I put too many toppings on my cheesecake?” and “Can we go back for seconds?”

After a few minutes, the vote was in. Not including Eric’s vote, the Cheesecake came in first and the two brownies tied for second. When Eric’s vote was included, the fudge brownies took the lead and the Cheesecake and stuffed chocolate brownies tied for second place. The summer associates guessed who made what, and finally, after much suspense, it was time for the long awaited reveal.

Jessica announced that she made the tiramisu and stuffed brownies while Paul baked the Cheesecake and fudge brownies. In a shocking turn of events, Paul swept the competition. What was not shocking, however, was the sugar crash each summer associate faced that night.

Our Summer Associates on their first day!

Bilzin Sumberg is thrilled to welcome our 2025 class of Summer Associates!  We take pride in offering a truly immersive and hands-on summer experience.  Over the coming weeks, they’ll have the opportunity to work closely with our attorneys across practice areas and experience firsthand what makes our firm unique both in the work we do and the culture we’ve built.

The summer calendar is filled with substantive assignments, mentoring opportunities, and events that highlight our collaborative environment and the vibrant city we call home.  We hope they’ll find this experience rewarding, challenging, and inspiring.

We are excited to get to know each of them, watch them thrive, and here about their experience directly from them on this blog over the course of the summer. 

As we wrap up our final days at Bilzin Sumberg, we reflect on not only the work we did, but also the relationships we formed along the way. From lunches to practice group events, this summer provided us with the opportunity to engage in many different aspects of life at Bilzin Sumberg.

Continuing upon the precedent set by last year’s Summer Associates, we felt it would only be proper to conclude our summer by celebrating the unique and remarkable individuals who make Bilzin Sumberg extraordinary. We present to you the 2024 Summer Associates’ Attorney Awards:

We hope this gives you a glimpse into the firm from our eyes as we highlight a few of the many who made this summer unforgettable.

Honorary Summer Associate: Doug Aguililla

Most Likely to Crash Another Practice Group’s Event: John Trach

Best Dressed: Jessica Buchsbaum and Melissa Pallett-Vasquez

Most Likely to Come Visit Your Office on the 23rd floor: David Seifer

Most Likely to Take you to a Boujee Lunch: David Resnick

Most Likely to Miss a Summer Associate Event for Run Club: Dan Bumm

Most Likely to Say Yes to Coffee: Hannah Lidicker

Most Likely to be an Undercover Chef: Megan Barney

Best Happy Hour Recommendations: Lucas Pizzutti

Most Likely to Tell You About the Fish They Caught Over the Weekend: Mitch Widom

As we transition from firm life back to law school life, we carry with us not just legal skills, but memories of camaraderie, mentorship and laughter shared with colleagues and fellow summer associates who have become friends. Bilzin Sumberg has played a pivotal role in shaping our professional journeys and has given us cherished experiences that will stay with us. We are thankful for the opportunities and meaningful connections formed during this summer, and we eagerly anticipate the challenges and successes ahead.

As our summer with Bilzin Sumberg draws to a close, I find myself reflecting on the whirlwind of experiences that have defined these past few months. From intense legal work to memorable social events, each day brought new challenges and exciting opportunities to grow both personally and professionally.

One of the highlights of the summer was undoubtedly the cooking challenge held at Two Chefs. We worked alongside the alumni of the summer associate program, testing our teamwork and creativity. It was not only a chance to showcase our skills outside the office but also a fantastic bonding experience that bridged generations of legal talent connected to the firm.

The firm’s annual dinner party was another event that stood out. Held at the stunning Margulies Gallery, it was an evening of celebration and camaraderie. Mingling with the Bilzin team in a relaxed setting underscored the firm’s commitment to fostering a tight-knit community beyond the demands of the legal world.

Another one of the highlights of our summer with Bilzin was the day spent at the puttery with the real estate department as we navigated through themed courses, each offering its own challenges and surprises. The experience provided a refreshing break and a chance to connect on a personal level outside of our usual professional settings. This outing not only strengthened our camaraderie within the department but also underscored the importance of balance and shared experiences in fostering a supportive and dynamic work environment.

Giving back to the community was also a core part of our summer experience. Volunteering at Feeding South Florida was particularly meaningful. Sorting food alongside colleagues underscored the firm’s dedication to making a positive impact beyond the courtroom and boardroom, reinforcing the importance of service in our legal careers.

Adding a touch of mystery and intrigue, the land use department’s murder mystery dinner party was a unique twist on the traditional social event. We unraveled a captivating mystery while enjoying good food and even better company. It was a night where legal minds merged with detective instincts in a setting that blended entertainment with team-building.

For those of us with a competitive edge, going to Reserve Padel with the corporate department was a thrilling experience. Padel brought out our competitive spirits while providing a fun and active break from the intensity of legal work. It was refreshing to engage in a sport that offered a mix of strategy, skill, and camaraderie.

To cap off the summer, a mystery cooking competition at the Miami Dade Culinary Institute brought our culinary adventures full circle. Tasked with creating dishes under pressure, we once again collaborated with colleagues in the litigation department, showcasing our adaptability and creativity in a different arena.

As we prepare to return to school and apply the lessons learned this summer, I am incredibly grateful for the opportunities and friendships forged during my time as a summer associate. Beyond legal research and courtroom strategies, these experiences have broadened my perspective and reinforced the importance of teamwork, community, and seizing every opportunity to learn and grow. Miami’s vibrant culture and the firm’s supportive environment have made this summer unforgettable.