Patricia Abril, Dean, University of Miami School of Law

Invest: spoke with Patricia Abril, dean of the University of Miami School of Law, about how technological disruption, evolving professional expectations, and Miami’s expanding legal market are reshaping legal education.  “We are living through one of the most disruptive moments in the history of higher education and the practice of law, certainly in my lifetime,” Abril said.

What are the major forces reshaping legal education and the legal profession?
We are living through one of the most disruptive moments in the history of higher education and the practice of law, certainly in my lifetime. That is actually one of the reasons that attracted me to this role. It is a moment when the decisions we make can have a significant impact on the profession and on how we prepare the next generation of lawyers.

Artificial intelligence is the most obvious catalyst. AI is transforming how legal work is done, from research to document drafting to client service. As educators, our responsibility is to ensure that our students are ready for a professional environment that we may not yet fully understand. Everything is moving incredibly quickly, and law schools must adapt accordingly.

At the University of Miami School of Law, we do not view AI as something to fear. Instead, we believe it is our responsibility to lead the conversation around how these tools are used responsibly. Lawyers must understand both the potential and the ethical implications of AI. Issues such as transparency, disclosure, and professional responsibility will be critical as these technologies continue to evolve.

Students today are already comfortable with technology, which is an advantage. Our goal is to ensure that when they join a law firm, public agency, or nonprofit organization, they bring value immediately. They should be able not only to use emerging technologies effectively but also to help organizations adopt them in thoughtful ways.

It is also important to remember that the core skills of lawyering remain human-centered. People come to lawyers with complex problems and deeply personal challenges. Negotiation, judgment, and trust are still fundamentally human skills. Technology may change how we work, but it does not replace the essential role of the lawyer.

How has the Miami Law & AI Lab evolved since its launch?
The Miami Law & AI Lab has grown significantly over the past year. One of the most exciting developments is our participation in the International Association for Safe & Ethical AI network focused on ethical and responsible AI. The organization brings together universities from around the world to advance conversations about responsible innovation. Being part of that network allows us to contribute to global discussions and bring new ideas back to Miami.

The Lab has also led to the development of practical tools that improve how we teach. One example is a platform called ClassInsight. It allows faculty to introduce a hypothetical scenario at the start of a class and ask students to submit a brief written analysis. The system then instantly analyzes responses and provides the professor with insights into which issues students understood and which concepts need more attention.

Students also receive personalized feedback on their submissions. In just a few minutes, the professor has a clear sense of where the class stands and can tailor the discussion accordingly. It makes the classroom more interactive and ensures that students receive meaningful feedback early in the learning process.

We are also building a new courtroom that integrates AI, virtual reality, and augmented reality tools. This environment will allow students to simulate courtroom experiences with different types of judges, questioning styles, and legal scenarios. It creates a dynamic training environment where students can practice advocacy skills before entering a real courtroom.

Another initiative we are particularly proud of involves collaboration with the Florida Board of Bar Examiners. We are developing a virtual reality experience that replicates the bar exam environment. The bar exam is often intimidating simply because of the scale of the testing environment. By allowing students to experience that setting virtually before the actual exam, we can reduce anxiety and help them feel more prepared.

Beyond technology, what broader trends are shaping legal education today?
One major trend is the growing focus on outcomes. Higher education is expensive, and prospective students rightly want to understand the value of their degree. Law schools have a responsibility to ensure that graduates are prepared for successful careers.

That means preparing students to pass the bar exam and to secure meaningful employment. At our law school, we track these outcomes closely and invest in services that support students throughout their academic journey. We have strengthened career services, expanded advising, and created additional support structures to help students prepare for the bar exam.

Another important change is the upcoming NextGen Bar Exam, which will be introduced in Florida and many other states beginning in 2028. Traditionally, the bar exam has focused heavily on memorization of legal doctrine. The new format will still test legal knowledge, but it will also emphasize practical skills such as legal analysis, negotiation, client counseling, and dispute resolution.

The goal is to evaluate how well candidates can apply legal knowledge in real-world scenarios. That shift aligns well with our approach because we emphasize both rigorous intellectual training and experiential learning.

What role does experiential learning play in preparing students for practice?
Experiential learning is essential. The first year of law school is primarily focused on foundational knowledge, but the second and third years allow students to apply that knowledge in practical settings.

At Miami Law, we have nine independent clinics covering areas such as business law, immigration, environmental law, bankruptcy, children and youth rights, and health rights. These clinics allow students to work directly with clients under faculty supervision.

The goal is to build practical skills such as interviewing clients, conducting legal research, drafting briefs, and participating in legal proceedings. Students gain experience that mirrors real legal practice and develop confidence in their abilities.

These experiences can also have profound real-world impact. Last year, students in our Innocence Clinic helped secure the release of a man who had been wrongfully imprisoned for 18 years. That type of work is transformative not only for the client but also for the students involved. It reminds them why they chose the legal profession in the first place.

Looking ahead, what priorities will shape the law school’s next chapter as it approaches its second century?
The University of Miami School of Law is celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2026, which is an important milestone. With permanent leadership now in place, we have an opportunity to focus on both clarity and agility in shaping the future.

Miami has evolved into a global city with a rapidly expanding legal market. According to the American Bar Association, the number of lawyers in Florida has increased by roughly 17% over the past decade. Many of the nation’s largest law firms now have offices in Miami, creating tremendous opportunities for our graduates.

Our students increasingly want to build their careers here, and that reflects the strength of the region’s legal ecosystem. One of our priorities is to continue strengthening partnerships with the local legal community so that students have clear pathways into the profession.

We also remain focused on innovation and student experience. Over the past year, the law school was named one of the Top 10 most innovative law schools in the country by the National Jurist. In addition, the Princeton Review ranked us No. 3 nationally for quality of life.

That quality-of-life ranking was particularly meaningful because it reflects the sense of belonging students feel within our community. It measures how comfortable students feel on campus, the diversity of perspectives they encounter, and the strength of the academic and social environment.

Creating an environment where students feel supported and intellectually curious is fundamental. If we can provide that foundation, students can flourish. From there, their success depends on their own effort and dedication, but our role is to ensure that the environment enables them to grow and succeed.