As part of the summer associate experience, Bilzin Sumberg coordinates tag-along opportunities for the summer associates to attend. This week, Elise and I witnessed Al Dotson represent Related Urban Development Company before the County Commission. Hundreds of Liberty Square residents stepped up to the podiums to remind those present of the exigency of the approval of the redevelopment.Jorge Perez, Related Group CEO, and Albert Milo, Related Urban Development Company’s senior vice president, are no strangers to such concerns. As the developers, Milo and Perez crafted a plan that would bring residents renovated housing units, a community health center, a YMCA family center, a museum, and a grocery store (ending the food desert in Liberty Square).

The hearing concluded with wonderful news for the Liberty Square community—Related Urban Development Company was selected as the developer for the $307 million project.

After the hearing, the summer associates and I joined Al Dotson for happy hour, where we learned about the intricacies of appearing before the Commission. As a summer associate at Bilzin Sumberg, I have been exposed to a myriad of eye-opening experiences while observing accomplished attorneys in action. Each tag-along I have attended has enunciated the unique and momentous work Bilzin Sumberg handles.