The University of Miami School of Law equips students with the skills needed for a wide range of legal careers. During the summer, students gain valuable experience through internships that align with their specific legal interests.
For those pursuing business law, Miami Law offers practical, hands-on opportunities that deepen their understanding of the dynamic relationship between law and business.
Featured below are several students who spent their summers building real-world legal skills via internships and externships in areas such as business litigation, corporate counsel and compliance, real estate development, media, and more—applying their classroom learning in professional settings.
Kelsey Walker — Greenberg Traurig, LLP
Kelsey Walker has the goal to work in corporate law after graduation. This past summer, as a corporate summer associate, the 2L worked in Greenberg Traurig’s Mergers and Acquisitions and Capital Markets (Securities) groups. She had the opportunity to assist with active deal work, supporting shareholders and associates with real-world client matters and transactional projects. This included firmwide trainings and mentorship that were instrumental in deepening her understanding of corporate practice.
Reflecting on the experience, she says, “The most rewarding part of this experience has been the opportunity to engage in meaningful, real-world legal work. Coming into the summer after just completing my first year of law school with limited exposure to the day-to-day work of a corporate associate, I’ve learned more than I could have imagined.”
She will return in 2026 as a summer associate in Greenberg’s Corporate Mergers and Acquisitions group. At the School of Law, she is involved in various student organizations, including Student Ambassadors, Miami Law Women, Black Law Students Association, and First-Generation Law Students Association.
Sydney Miller — BSE Global
Sydney Miller wants to be a transactional attorney and gained experience working in-house for BSE Global in Brooklyn, N.Y., where she researched legal issues, including NBA and WNBA rules and regulations. She also drafted executive summaries for commercial contracts and collective bargaining agreements with union labor counterparties and proofread contracts and corporate governance documents.
“Being able to see a small team of four in-house attorneys run an enterprise for a team and all of the businesses has been so motivating and deepens my interest and excitement for this space,” she says. “I also feel as if I am constantly working on matters that cover so many different areas of the law, and being able to see how what I have learned is actually applicable to the real world is amazing.”
At the School of Law, she is getting her joint J.D./LL.M. in Entertainment, Arts, and Sports Law and will continue exploring business law next summer as a summer associate at Sidley Austin LLP.
Elizabeth McCann — Ryder System, Inc.
Elizabeth McCann is a student whose passion lies in IP, technology, and AI, and she is involved in the law school’s Law & AI Lab, Technology Law Club, and Startup Clinic. At Ryder, she supported the in-house legal team by researching legal issues, drafting and revising contracts, and assisting with negotiation sessions. She also gained valuable exposure to litigation and labor and employment matters.
She says the most rewarding part of her internship was “seeing how in-house teams navigate complex legal issues that directly affect people and operations. It’s been fascinating to watch the balance between managing legal risk and addressing sensitive workplace concerns. I’ve gained a deeper understanding of how companies make decisions that are not only legally sound but also practical and people-centered.”
She knows the foundation from this experience will help her approach complex issues at the intersection of law, ethics, and innovation with both practical and strategic insight.
Mia Goldberg — Warner Bros. Discovery Latin America, Inc.
Mia Goldberg has a strong interest in corporate law, IP, and media, and her externship with Warner Bros. Discovery LATAM enabled her to explore these areas. She had the opportunity to work on a wide range of transactional matters, in both English and Spanish, tied to the region’s media landscape. Goldberg was able to draft licensing agreements, prepare advertising sales contracts in English and Spanish, research consumer protection laws that impact streaming services, and analyze shifting regulatory frameworks across Latin American jurisdictions.
“The most rewarding part of my externship has been working with teams across Latin America on projects that reflect culture and community, and drafting internal memoranda on issues such as fair use, fair dealing, privacy, and local compliance,” she says. “The work gave me a clear view of how legal teams drive both creative and business outcomes.”
At law school, she is involved with the Entertainment and Sports Law Society and the Hispanic Law Students Association.
Valerie Rodriguez — Greystar Real Estate Partners
With an interest in real estate law, Valerie Rodriguez worked with in-house counsel at the international real estate developer this past summer. In her role, she was able to research real estate industry topics and legal compliance issues, compare existing federal and state law against current practices to ensure compliance, review contracts, attend negotiations, and track proposed bills and recently enacted legislation in each state that would have an operational impact on the company.
Reflecting on the experience, she says, “This internship is giving me valuable insight into what it’s like to work as in-house counsel, while also helping me understand the inner workings and needs of a corporation, which will be essential if I represent corporate clients in the future.”
She will continue to explore business law next summer as a summer associate at Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP.
Alexis Castillo — AMC Networks, Inc.
During Alexis Castillo’s internship in New York City, she worked with in-house counsel on Securities and Exchange Commission compliance, merchandising, data privacy, and series licensing. She assisted in contract review, due diligence, and overall business strategizing as counsel to a publicly traded, mass media and entertainment corporation.
She gained “incredible experience from industry leaders within the company, from every department, from the VP to the C-Suite level. It is amazing to see how each department intersects from production to commercial revenue and law. This internship is developing my skills in both the transactional and litigation fields, as I am able to see how both intertwine in an entertainment space. AI and data privacy are particularly relevant now more than ever, and I am fortunate to see firsthand how an entertainment company is responding.”
At the School of Law, she is involved with the Entertainment & Sports Law Society, Charles C. Papy Moot Court, Hispanic Students Association, and First-Generation Law Association.
Iara Dircie — Gunster, P.A.
Working as a summer associate in the firm’s business litigation practice, Dircie drafted internal memos, helped with motions, and analyzed case law related to commercial disputes, contracts, and fiduciary duties. In addition to business litigation, she also worked on matters involving probate litigation, corporate transactions, and employment law.
“I’ve realized that I enjoy the analytical side of litigation—especially legal research and figuring out how the law applies to complex facts. It’s also shown me how important it is to be part of a team that’s collaborative and supportive, and that’s something I’ve really found at Gunster,” she says. “The most rewarding part of the internship was those ‘aha’ moments during legal research—when I finally found the exact case I was searching for. There’s something really satisfying about digging through sources, piecing things together, and then having it all click.”
At the School of Law, she is the president of the Student Bar Association and is involved in the Cardozo Jewish Legal Society and Hispanic Law Student Association. Dircie will join Gunster after graduation as an associate.
Joe Golden — Sony Music Entertainment
Joe Golden worked in New York City at Sony as a business and legal affairs intern with their Global Digital Business group. His responsibilities included drafting memos for upcoming deals, researching international copyright laws, and supporting the content protection team in resolving copyright claims for the group that manages all digital uses of SME content across platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube.
“This experience has given me insight into the most pressing issues the industry faces, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to contribute, even in a small way, to addressing them,” he says. “This internship has significantly developed my core lawyering skills, particularly in research, writing, and statutory interpretation. I’ve also strengthened my business acumen by learning directly from business leaders in the field, which has sharpened my ability to evaluate deals strategically and ask the right questions.”
At the School of Law, he is pursuing a joint J.D./LL.M. in Entertainment, Arts, and Sports Law and is on the University of Miami Law Review. He is a member of the Entertainment, Art, and Sports Honors Program, Honor Council, Entertainment and Sports Law Society, and Public Interest Network.
Read more about Miami Law’s business law area of study.
