An expert in real estate and housing law from Elon University's School of Law is taking on influential national positions, shaping the future of legal education and scholarship in the property sector. Assistant Professor Rosa Newman has recently been appointed to lead a key committee within the American Bar Association and has joined the editorial team of a prominent legal journal.
These new responsibilities place her at the center of national conversations about real property, trusts, and estates, connecting academic theory with real-world legal practice and community development challenges.
Key Takeaways
- Rosa Newman, an Elon Law professor, is now the chair of the American Bar Association’s (ABA) Real Property, Trusts, and Estates (RPTE) Section Legal Education Committee.
- She has also been named a contributing editor for Property JOTWELL, a journal that highlights significant new legal scholarship.
- Newman's work focuses on making property law more equitable and responsive to community needs, particularly in housing and economic development.
- She will also contribute her expertise to a local symposium on housing insecurity in Greensboro, North Carolina.
A New Leadership Role at the American Bar Association
Effective September 1, Professor Newman began her term as chair of the ABA's RPTE Section Legal Education Committee. This appointment follows her previous service as the committee's vice chair, signaling a continued commitment to advancing legal education in her field.
The RPTE Section is one of the largest professional communities within the ABA. It serves as a national hub for lawyers, academics, and policy experts who work in areas affecting real property, land use, housing, and wealth management. In her capacity as chair, Newman will help direct the section's initiatives aimed at improving how property, trusts, and estate law are taught and studied across the country.
Her leadership will influence the resources and guidance provided to law schools and legal educators, potentially shaping the next generation of property law professionals.
What is the ABA RPTE Section?
The Real Property, Trust and Estate Law (RPTE) Section of the American Bar Association is a leading national forum for lawyers. It provides resources, continuing education, and networking opportunities for professionals who practice in these complex legal areas, working to improve the law and serve the public interest.
Elevating Scholarship in Property Law
In addition to her ABA role, Newman has also become a contributing editor for Property JOTWELL, an online publication known for its accessible reviews of new and important legal scholarship. JOTWELL, which stands for the Journal of Things We Like Lots, connects practitioners, teachers, and students with innovative research they might otherwise miss.
As a contributing editor, Newman will be responsible for identifying and reviewing noteworthy academic work in property law. This position allows her to highlight emerging ideas and trends, influencing which scholarly contributions gain wider attention within the legal community.
"I see my work with RPTE and Property JOTWELL as part of a larger effort to connect ideas to impact – elevating the kind of scholarship and dialogue that make property law more equitable, relevant, and responsive to how people actually live and build community," Newman said.
This dual role in both education and scholarship curation positions her to bridge the gap between academic research and practical legal application, ensuring new ideas find their way into classrooms and courtrooms.
From Professional Practice to Academia
Professor Newman’s academic focus is deeply rooted in extensive professional experience. Before joining the Elon Law faculty in 2022, she worked in the commercial real estate development sector for several firms in Miami and Charlotte.
Her work specialized in securing complex, multilayered financing for mixed-income and multifamily housing developments across four states. This hands-on experience in affordable housing development provides a practical foundation for her research and teaching on property, land use, and business law.
Newman also previously worked for a Florida elder care law firm, where she handled matters related to wills, trusts, and estates. This background gives her a comprehensive perspective that spans both large-scale development and individual asset management.
A Foundation in Community Development
Professor Newman's practical experience in financing mixed-income housing gives her unique insight into the legal and economic mechanisms that can either promote or hinder the development of affordable housing, a key theme in her academic work.
Addressing Local Housing Challenges
Newman's national work is complemented by a strong commitment to local issues. This fall, she will lend her expertise to a symposium focused on housing insecurity in the Greensboro area. The event, titled “Neighboring in a Time of Need,” is the second annual Law and the Prophets Symposium.
The symposium will explore the complex issue of housing insecurity from civic, legal, and religious viewpoints. It is scheduled for November 6 at the West Market Street United Methodist Church, which is co-hosting the event with Elon Law.
Her participation underscores her dedication to applying legal principles to solve pressing community problems. Newman also continues to serve the state's legal community as a member of the Trusts Drafting Committee of the North Carolina General Statutes Commission, where she helps recommend updates to modernize the state's trust laws.
Through these varied roles—from national leadership and scholarly review to state-level legislative drafting and local community engagement—Professor Newman is actively shaping the field of property law at every level.
