Miami Law continues to have renowned experts teach the Introduction to U.S. Law to new foreign-trained lawyers pursuing their LL.M. degrees. This year Akerman international practice chair Pedro Freyre, J.D. ’74, brought his global expertise to Miami Law's Introduction to U.S. Law course. In 2019, the course was taught by Judge Rosemary Barkett.
Freyre, Chair of Akerman’s international practice in Miami, leads the full-service team at Akerman LLP advising multinational and global corporations on a wide range of cross-border mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, capital markets transactions, syndicated and secured lending, project finance, debt restructuring, trade, compliance, as well as complex construction and other international disputes.
"I love teaching and interacting with the students," said the Miami Law adjunct professor. "They keep me on my toes, and it gives me a sense of purpose to be able to make a difference in the lives of these international students.”
With the pandemic going on, "it's a very challenging environment. However, once you are able to establish a rapport with the students and get comfortable with the protocol, I think it works well," he said. "I was gratified and impressed with how organized everything has been."
The course is for international LL.M. students only. All international (foreign-trained) students from Miami Law's various LL.M. programs take the course to learn the fundamentals of U.S. law during their first semester.
"We are grateful to Professor Freyre for his generosity and support," said Carmen Perez-Llorca, assistant dean for international and graduate programs. "The fact that a busy, successful lawyer who is running the international practice at a top firm like Akerman in the middle of a pandemic would take the time to come to campus and teach our international students this essential class says a lot about the caliber of person he is. He is a top practitioner, an outstanding professor, and a great alumnus of Miami Law."
The two-credit course, specifically designed for international students who completed their legal education outside of the U.S., meets throughout the fall and provides an overview of the U.S. legal system.
The internationally recognized authority on the United States embargo on Cuba, is an expert in the evolving regulations enacted since the restoration of diplomatic relations between the United States and Cuba.
He has recently been instrumental in guiding clients in defense of claims arising from the implementation of Title III of the Helms-Burton Act. He also advises U.S.-based companies on the types of business transactions that are legal in Cuba under the embargo and helps U.S. entities engaged in authorized activities in connection with entering the Cuban market.
"The caliber of these international LL.M. students is very high," Freyre said. "They are sharp, involved, and brave when I questioned them using the Socratic method (which can be very intimidating for some students). They were responsive and engaged at all times, which made the class very enjoyable."
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