Assistant Dean of Career and Professional Development

Education:

• B.A., University of Florida
• J.D., University of Florida

Laura Varela is the Assistant Dean of Career and Professional Development at NSU Shepard Broad College of Law.

Laura received her B.A. and J.D. from the University of Florida. She has extensive litigation experience at firms in Miami, Gainesville, Boca Raton, and Broward County. She was a partner at Berman, Kean & Riguera, P.A. in Fort Lauderdale, as well as at Phillips, Cantor & Shalek in Hollywood. Laura is a member of the Florida Bar, and is certified to practice in the Florida federal district courts, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit, and in numerous bankruptcy courts. In 2016 she brought this extensive professional experience to assist law students at St. Thomas University School of Law as a Private Sector Career Counselor; she has also served there as the Deputy Title IX Coordinator/Investigator and was previously an NSU Law adjunct faculty member.

Laura thus brings a broad range of legal experience and career services expertise to NSU Law. A native of Broward County, she returned to Broward County in 2006. She has been active in a wide range of Broward County professional organizations, and serves on the boards of directors of the Broward County Women Lawyer’s Association, the Broward County Bar Association, and the Stephen R. Booher American Inn of Court. She is also active in career services organizations, serving as a board member of the Southeastern Minority Job Fair.