Harley Tropin specializes in high-stakes business litigation and co-chairs the Plaintiffs' Steering Committee for the Champlain Towers South Collapse Litigation, having led efforts to secure over $1 billion in settlements. A recognized leader in financial fraud cases in Southern Florida for 30 years, Tropin has been honored as the University of Miami Law School's outstanding alumnus and received multiple accolades, including the Learned Hand Award from the American Jewish Committee and "Lawyer of the Year." He teaches trial advocacy and Mindfulness and Negotiation with Scott Rogers at the School of Law and is co-founder of the law school’s Class Action and Complex Litigation Forum. Tropin also advocates for greater access to mental health services within the community.
What aspects or opportunities at the law school significantly influenced your legal education and career trajectory?
Then Dean Dennis Lynch was my first and favorite law professor. The classes were intellectually interesting and helped me "think like a lawyer.” I was also fortunate to know and spend time with Dean Soia Mentschikoff, who left me with a quote that I repeat to all our lawyers: "Before you press a button in litigation, think of all of the things that might happen aside from the reason you pressed the button."
I also hugely benefited from the friends and relationships I started in law school—starting with my wife Sherry of 47 years, whom I met in my second year, and including such great friends as Dean Colson, Joe Matthews, John Thornton, Barbara Silverman, and her husband and my partner of 42 years, John Kozyak!
What is one lesson you learned in law school that you still apply today?
The lesson I learned in law school was the importance of relationships—the friends I made are now partners, judges, sources of business, and strength in good times and challenging times.
What draws you to stay connected to the law school?
The Law School has enriched my career and continues to do so, first, through my connection to the Litigation Skills program, which I have taught for over 30 years. KTT has also supported the program through scholarships, and recently, Sherry and I contributed financially to the new moot courtroom. I am also active in the mindfulness courses taught by Scott Rogers, who has become a friend and mentor. A course we continue to teach together is Mindfulness and Negotiation. Finally, I have enjoyed working on the Dean's Advisory Council and getting to know and admire Dean Abril.
