2008 Woodie Awards
Real Estate Law Association
Kathleen Knust
The Real Estate Law Association (RELA) is a new organization on the University
of Baltimore campus founded in April by Sofia Hassan, third-year law student.
“Our purpose is to bring together University of Baltimore students who are interested in real estate law and other related aspects of real estate,” said Hassan, RELA president. “We facilitate networking and social events among students and between students and practicing real estate attorneys in the Baltimore area.”
The group serves to educate and inform its members on the subject matter of
real estate law and other topics in the field of real estate and property law.
“We strive to foster positive professional and academic relationships
within our membership and between our student members and the community at large,”
Hassan said.
RELA does not restrict membership to law students. In fact, they have an undergraduate representative. Every law school class (first, second and third year) is represented. These representatives serve as liaisons between their respective sections and the RELA executive board.
“It’s been one of our goals to give a little real world experience in the real estate property law,” said Emmitt Irwin, vice president of communications and second-year law student. “We get out of school with not much going on at UB and we wanted to fill that gap. I think we’ve done a pretty good job.”
In October, RELA hosted a meet and greet where students met UB professors who teach in the real estate field. Students asked questions regarding the professors’ classes and any real estate questions. The event encouraged networking between students and professors.
One of RELA’s main programs is done in conjunction with the Maryland State Bar Association and the University of Maryland School of Law. The Mentor-Mentee program matches up students with real estate attorneys in the area. The mentee shadows the mentor, asks questions and seeks advice. The Mentor-Mentee Kickoff will be Nov. 9 at the downtown offices of Whiteford, Taylor, Preston, LLP, where each student will meet his or her mentor.
In the spring, RELA will present a speakers’ panel with five to six members all associated with real estate, realtors and brokers.
Membership dues are $15 per semester. The RELA executive board holds bi-weekly meetings; the entire club meets about once a month, depending on the
upcoming event schedule.
Knust is a contributing writer at The UB POST
kathleen.knust@ubalt.edu
Sofia Hassan, president
e-mail – sofiahass@gmail.com