Atty. Iris Escarra B.C.S.
Iris Escarra is Co-Chair of Greenberg Traurig’s Land Use Practice and regularly recognized as one of the leading Miami land use and zoning attorneys advising major real estate developers across South Florida. Based in the firm’s Miami office, she focuses on land use law, zoning law, development entitlements, and complex municipal approvals for large-scale real estate development projects.
Profile Summary
About Iris Escarra B.C.S. at a glance
Iris Escarra B.C.S. is a Shareholder; Co-Chair, Miami Land Development & Zoning Practice based in Miami, Florida, practicing at Greenberg Traurig, LLP. They have 25+ years of legal experience, licensed to practice since 2001. Their practice focuses on zoning, environmental, and government. Admitted to practice in Florida (2001). Educated at St. Thomas University School of Law (J.D., 1999) and Florida International University (B.B.A. St., 1997). Serands clients in Miami, FL and the surrounding metropolitan area.
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About
- Iris Escarra is Co-Chair of Greenberg Traurig’s Land Use Practice and regularly recognized as one of the leading Miami land use and zoning attorneys advising major real estate developers across South Florida
- Based in the firm’s Miami office, she focuses on land use law, zoning law, development entitlements, and complex municipal approvals for large-scale real estate development projects
- Iris regularly represents some of Miami’s most prominent developers, property owners, and real estate investors on projects valued in the hundreds of millions of dollars
- With her counsel, dozens of high-profile commercial, residential, hospitality, and mixed-use developments have been approved and completed throughout Miami over the past two decades
- A Florida Bar Board Certified Specialist in City, County, and Local Government Law, Iris was named Best Lawyers 2026 “Lawyer of the Year” for Land Use and Zoning Law in Miami, one of the legal industry’s highest recognitions
- She guides clients through the Miami zoning and land use approval process, securing approvals for some of the most significant real estate developments shaping the Miami skyline and urban growth across South Florida
- Her work includes obtaining full development entitlements, including rezonings, land use amendments, variances, site plan approvals, and subdivision approvals for complex projects
- She also assists clients in government procurement matters and land use due diligence to evaluate development potential and regulatory risk
- Before joining Greenberg Traurig in 2005, Iris served as an assistant city attorney for the City of Miami, where she gained firsthand experience with municipal zoning regulations, development review processes, and city planning procedures
- She regularly represents clients before planning and zoning boards, historic preservation boards, and the Miami City Commission, advocating for approvals on transformative development projects
- Her clients include many of South Florida’s most active real estate developers and investment groups, who value her strategic, solutions-driven approach to navigating complex zoning and land use challenges
- Clients frequently note her ability to leverage her deep knowledge of Miami land use regulations, zoning policies, and municipal decision-making processes to move projects through the entitlement process
- Greenberg Traurig’s South Florida Land Use Team has made an impact throughout the state
- View a map of the team’s work on Miami’s skyline
- Concentrations •Governmental affairs •Land use representation •Procurement •City, county and local government law •Subdivision law Recognition & Leadership Awards & Accolades •Finalist, Corporate Counsel Women, Influence & Power in Law Awards, “Law Firm Thought Leadership,” 2025 •Listed, The Best Lawyers in America, Land Use and Zoning Law
- Real Estate Law, 2021-2026 •“Lawyer of the Year,” Land Use and Zoning Law, Miami, 2026 •Listed, Florida Trend, “Legal Elite - Real Estate/Land Use,” 2025 •Listed, Florida Trend, “Legal Elite - Notable Women Leaders in Law,” 2024 •Listed, Bisnow, 20 South Florida Women Making Moves in CRE, 2024 •Team Member, a Law360 “ Environmental Practice Group of the Year, ” 2022 •Recipient, “ President's Award, ” Builders Association of South Florida, 2021 •Recipient, South Florida Business & Wealth, Prestigious Women Award, 2020-2021 •Listed, Chambers USA Guide, 2018-2025 •Real Estate: Zoning/Land Use, 2019-2025 •“Up and Coming,” 2018 •Listed, The Legal 500 United States •Real Estate: Land Use/Zoning, 2016 and 2022-2025 •“Leading Lawyer, ” 2024-2025 •“Recommended Lawyer, ” 2022-2023 •Team Member, Chambers & Partners USA Real Estate Law Firm of the Year, 2013, 2017-2018, and 2022 •South Florida Power Women, Bisnow, 2018 •Listed, South Florida Business Journal, “ People on the Move, ” 2017 •Team Member, U.S
- News - Best Lawyers, Best Law Firms Edition •“Law Firm of the Year, ” Environmental Law, 2016 “ Law Firm of the Year, ” Environmental Law, 2016 •“Law Firm of the Year, ” in Real Estate Law, 2015 •“Government Relations Law Firm of the Year, ” 2014 •Ranked, Tier 1 - Government Relations, Miami Metropolitan Area •Listed, South Florida Legal Guide, 2008-2021 •Listed, “ Top Lawyer, ” 2012-2021 •Midyear 2012 •Listed, “ Top Up and Comer, ” 2008-2012 •Team Member, Latin Builders Association, “Law Firm of the Year,” 2017 •Listed, Daily Business Review, Most Effective Lawyers - Government Relations and Regulation, 2016 •Selected, South Florida Business Journal, one of 25 “ Influential Business Women, ” 2015 •Team Member, a Law360 “ Real Estate Practice Group of the Year,' 2013, 2015, 2022, and 2023 •Recipient, “ Networking Deal of the Year Award, ” CREW-Miami, 2014 •Team Member, The Legal 500 United States, “ Top Tier ” Firm in Real Estate, 2014 •Listed, Florida Super Lawyers, “ Rising Star, ” 2009-2014 •Recipient, “ Star Award, ” CREW-Miami, 2010 •Selected, Real Estate Florida, “ 40 Under 40, ” 2009
Practice Areas Explained
Iris Escarra B.C.S.'s Areas of Practice
Each practice area below reflects the types of cases Iris Escarra B.C.S. handles, with a brief overview of what that area of law covers.
Iris Escarra B.C.S. is one of 40,226 zoning attorneys indexed nationally. Browse zoning attorneys in Florida →
Environmental attorneys for regulatory compliance, contamination, land use, and natural resource law.
Iris Escarra B.C.S. is one of 56,434 environmental attorneys indexed nationally. Browse environmental attorneys in Florida →
Attorneys for administrative law, agency hearings, government contracts, licensing, and public benefits.
Iris Escarra B.C.S. is one of 132,225 government attorneys indexed nationally. Browse government attorneys in Florida →
Jurisdictional Context
Why local counsel matters in Florida
Practicing law in Florida. Legal matters in Florida are governed by state-specific rules of civil and criminal procedure, statutes of limitations, and substantive law. Cases originating in Miami are typically filed in the local municipal court or the appropriate Florida state district court, depending on subject matter and amount in controversy. An attorney licensed in Florida brings working knowledge of local procedural deadlines, judicial practices in this andnue, and the substantive law that applies to cases brought here. Out-of-state attorneys generally cannot represent clients in Florida courts without local counsel or pro hac vice admission.
Looking for additional Florida attorneys? Browse all attorneys in Miami or all attorneys in Florida.
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