Opportunity Zones: The New Tomorrow

Our Community and Economic Development Unit is on the leading edge of economic development in Miami-Dade’s low-income communities. By providing legal services to non-profits, working with developers on affordable housing, and helping small businesses grow and prosper, our staff and pro bono attorneys are making a significant difference in our community.

To promote pro bono work in this area, Legal Services presented Opportunity Zones: The New Tomorrow, generously hosted by Kaufman Rossin and sponsored by Iberia-Bank. This CLE/CPE course brought together more than 75 professionals from the legal, accounting, financial, and real estate industries for an in-depth look at the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 – a new and exciting investment tool established by Congress to encourage long-term investments in low-income and rural communities. This program has the potential to become the nation’s largest economic development program by providing a tax incentive for investors to re-invest their unrealized capital gains into Opportunity Funds that are dedicated to  investing in Opportunity Zones – specific low-income areas designated by the governors and approved by the federal government.

The panel discussion, moderated by Legal Services Attorney Anna-Bo Emmanuel, explored opportunities for non-profit and for-profit partnerships to make a positive impact in low income communities. Panelists included: Jordan Chisolm, Esq., Cozen O’Conner; Joe Hernandez, Esq., Chair of the Weiss Serota Helfman Cole & Bierman Real Estate Practice; Robert D. Matt, CPA, Kaufman Rossin, a specialist in tax planning and compliance for real estate companies and their owners.