Iris Escarra is Co-Chair of Greenberg Traurig's Land Use Practice and a deeply experienced attorney in zoning and land use law. Located in the firm's Miami office, Iris regularly represents property owners and developers in large development projects valued in the hundreds of millions of dollars. With her counsel, dozens of high-profile commercial, mixed-use, and residential projects have been completed throughout Miami over the past two decades.A Florida Bar Board Certified Specialist in city, county, and local government law, Iris guides clients through the municipal zoning and land use process to seek approvals for some of South Florida's largest and most complex projects. She routinely helps clients obtain full entitlements for development, including navigating subdivision, zoning, and other applicable development regulations. She also assists in procuring government contracts and conducts due diligence to assess a property's development potential.Before joining Greenberg Traurig in 2005, Iris served as an assistant city attorney for the City of Miami, where she developed a keen understanding of local zoning and land use laws, rules, regulations, and procedures. She often appears on behalf of clients before zoning and planning boards, as well as before the Miami City Commission. Her clients include many of South Florida's largest developers, who appreciate her creative and pragmatic approach to their complex legal matters. Clients frequently praise Iris for her ability to leverage her wide-ranging knowledge of zoning and land use law to help bring their development projects to fruition.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 & LeadershipAwards & 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