In a year marked by a centennial celebration, momentum in national rankings, and new leadership, the University of Miami School of Law has reached another major milestone, securing the largest gift in its history. The gift will establish a newly endowed business law program and an endowed chair who will lead it. The investment will further strengthen the school\u2019s position at the forefront of legal education in one of the world\u2019s fastest-growing hubs for business, law, and technology.<\/p>\n
Made possible through the generosity of Demetrio J. P\u00e9rez, who graduated from the School of Law in 2001, this transformational gift reflects his deep commitment to the University, his belief in the power of business legal education, and his desire to honor the values instilled by his family.<\/p>\n
It also marks a defining moment in the school\u2019s ascent, including strong gains in the 2026 U.S. News & World Report specialty rankings<\/a>, where the School of Law earned national recognition in business\/corporate law, contracts\/commercial law, and tax.<\/p>\n A Gift Rooted in the Law\u00a0 <\/p>\n Demetrio J. P\u00e9rez grew up in Miami with the goal of being an attorney. \u201cThe law was something that I was interested in from a very young age, and I never wavered from it,\u201d he said. Coming from a family that fled Cuba, he developed a deep appreciation for the value of justice, democracy, freedom of enterprise, and the U.S. judicial system.<\/p>\n During his time at the School of Law, Demetrio J. P\u00e9rez gained first-hand exposure to the judicial process, serving as an intern to the late Judge William Hoeveler and taking litigation skills with the late Ervin Gonzalez. Both mentors left a lasting impression.<\/p>\n \u201cI learned so much from him [Gonzalez]. He taught me a lot about what it means to be a professional.\u201d Of Judge Hoeveler he added, \u201cHe really was what a judge should be. He went in with no prejudices and a sincere desire to administer justice.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n Although Demetrio J. P\u00e9rez did not become a litigator, or a judge as he had dreamed of as a child, his exposure to business law while a student proved formative. A course on business associations, taught by Professor Caroline Bradley<\/a>, opened his eyes to how the law intersects with enterprise. \u201cThat\u2019s where I learned about LLCs,\u201d he recalled. The knowledge proved immediately practical, allowing him to help formalize the structure of his family\u2019s business, laying the foundation for what would become a successful, multi-entity enterprise.<\/p>\n The Transformative Power of Education and Access\u00a0 <\/p>\n Through the newly endowed business law program, Demetrio J. P\u00e9rez honors his father, Demetrio P\u00e9rez, Jr. From their weekly Friday lunches to lifelong lessons, his father often reminded him, \u201cEducation is the one thing that no one will ever be able to take from you. So that\u2019s the most important investment that you need to make in yourself.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n From arriving in the United States through Operation Pedro Pan, to founding the Lincoln-Mart\u00ed Schools and serving as a commissioner for the City of Miami and a member of the Miami-Dade County School Board, Demetrio P\u00e9rez, Jr., inspired countless students to dream bigger and reach higher.<\/p>\n Demetrio J. P\u00e9rez hopes this gift will do the same for University of Miami law students\u2014expanding access, cultivating forward-thinking leaders, and investing in people who will shape businesses, policies, and communities.<\/p>\n \u201cThings move forward, and you have to be able to adapt and evolve,\u201d Demetrio J. P\u00e9rez said. \u201cIt will make you a more efficient practitioner. If not, you will get left behind.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n