The Deep Dirt Dive - A Real Estate Law Podcast

The Deep Dirt Dive - A Real Estate Law Podcast

by American College of Real Estate Lawyers

Season 2

The Evolution of AI in the Legal Industry

Cliff McKinney and Joey Lubinski return to the Deep Dirt Dive to discuss the rapid evolution of AI in the legal industry. The episode explores the legal AI landscape and how increasingly sophisticated AI tools have forced a shift from individual lawyers choosing to learn AI tools, to an "arms race" where entire law firms must redesign workflows to remain competitive.

The Big Beautiful Bill and Its Impact on Real Estate Transactions

Join Jin Liu, Michael Hirschfeld, and Philip R. Hirschfeld in the latest installment of the Deep Dirt Dive. In this episode, Michael and Philip, both seasoned tax practitioners, discuss the key elements of the Big Beautiful Bill that impact real estate transactions, their intended and unintended consequences, and planning strategies.

Mixed-Use Development

Join Jin Liu and Bill Sklar in the latest installment of the Deep Dirt Dive. This episode focuses on the first comprehensive mixed use development statute in the nation that was enacted in Florida and the advice to developers and lenders in evaluating and structuring new mixed-use developments. It also goes further to decipher the public policies behind promoting mixed use development.

AI in Law: Transforming the Practice of Real Estate Law with Generative AI

Join Cliff McKinney as he delves into the world of generative artificial intelligence and its transformative impact on the real estate legal profession. From understanding the basics of AI to exploring advanced techniques like prompt engineering, this podcast offers valuable insights for lawyers looking to harness the power of AI in their practice. Discover how AI can enhance efficiency, improve legal writing, and revolutionize the way legal services are delivered.

Season 1

Episode 7 - Marijuana Leasing

Marijuana leasing presents a series of unusual challenges for the real estate lawyer. How do you handle a business that is selling a substance that is legal under state law, but not federal law? How do you respond to a tenant that wants to pay rent with a grocery bag full of cash since its use of the banking system is severely restricted? What are the unique concerns in a lease involving marijuana and how do you deal with the difference between a wholesale/grower’s leases and a retail lease? Please join ACREL Fellows David Camp and Jack Fersko as they discuss Jack’s experience with representing parties on both sides of these transactions and what he’s learned from writing extensively on this topic.

Episode 6 - Third Party Legal Opinions

This episode of The Deep Dirt Dive discusses the various components in a real estate finance third party legal opinion. Discussion includes how third party legal opinions follow a customary style in dealing with the covered documents, assumptions, qualifications, the substantive opinions covered by the opinion, and opinion reliance issues. Also discussed are how customary practice and the various real estate reports influence how opinions are written. Participating in this episode are ACREL Fellows Scott Willis from Louisiana and Nancy Little from Virginia.

Episode 5 - DOGE and Federal Government Leasing

This episode of the Deep Dirt Dive investigates DOGE’s recent efforts to evaluate and restructure the real estate portfolio owned or leased by the GSA, on behalf of Federal agencies, throughout the U.S. The presentation analyzes the significant, ongoing, and evolving efforts of the DOGE team to pare down and reshape the largest single portfolio of owned and leased properties in the country. We explore the initial and prospective results of this DOGE initiative and the issues it raises for attorneys in representing clients whose properties are implicated in potential lease terminations or who might wish to bid on excess Federal properties. ACREL Fellows David Miller and Andrew Weiner of Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP are joined by their partner Michael Rizzo, a Government Contracts & Disputes specialist, as they discuss their insights and personal experience from years of representing clients in this area from their respective bases in New York, Los Angeles and the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area.

Episode 4 - The Fundamentals of Tariffs

This episode of the Deep Dirt Dive is all about the fundamentals of tariffs. We’ll cover what tariffs are, the different types, the agencies responsible for collecting and enforcing them, key tariff tools and related lawsuits, how tariffs are calculated, and—most importantly—how businesses, particularly in the construction industry, can navigate today’s complex tariff landscape. ACREL Fellow, Jin Liu interviews Jennifer Diaz, President and founder of Diaz Trade Law—South Florida’s only law firm recognized by Chambers and Partners in its Spotlight for International Trade. Jennifer is a Board-Certified International Attorney who specializes in customs and international trade law and consulting. Before founding Diaz Trade Law, she led the Customs and International Trade practice at a prominent South Florida firm.

Episode 3 - Mechanics’ Liens – What You Need to Know from Title Perspectives

Mechanic’s liens are a way to secure payments for contractors, but also can cause significant title issues for lenders and owners. This program provides a primer on what one needs to know about Mechanic’s Liens from the title perspective.

Episode 2 - The Corporate Transparency Act

In this episode, Joey Lubinski and Kevin Shepherd discuss the Corporate Transparency Act, which is a federal law passed in 2021 intended to counteract tax fraud, money laundering, and other financial crimes. The law requires that certain individuals report the “beneficial ownership” of privately-owned companies to the United States government. With few exceptions, the law created new obligations (and potentially new liability) for millions of companies across the country. Not surprisingly, it also generated legal challenges and is, in fact, currently enjoined from enforcement pending resolution of a lawsuit in Texas. Kevin Shepherd is a partner at the Venable Law Firm. Kevin’s expertise in matters relating to money laundering, generally, and the Corporate Transparency Ac, specifically, are widely recognized and we think you will benefit from his insights on the law’s applicability even while its enforcement remains in limbo. You can learn more about Kevin from the Venable website: https://www.venable.com/professionals/s/kevin-l-shepherd

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