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. 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