Welcome to Brazil-U.S. Legal and Judicial Studies Program
The Brazil-U.S. Legal and Judicial Studies Program at American University Washington College of Law (AUWCL) is a comparative law program focused exclusively on Brazil and the United States and their respective legal and judicial institutions. Inaugurated in 2013 by the late Senior United States District Judge Peter J. Messitte, the program is unique in offering a direct comparison of Brazilian legal and judicial institutions with those of the United States.
The Program offers participants a firmer understanding of both Brazilian and U.S. systems and transmits substantial practical knowledge as the two countries increase their interaction with one another. The Program coordinates seminars on various comparative law issues for Brazilian judges, legal professionals, academics, and students, and also assists those in the U.S. who wish to have comparable introductions to Brazilian law and Brazilian legal and judicial institutions. The Program has been able to engage, as co-lecturers, Brazilian lawyers and legal experts who reside and work in the Washington, D.C. region, as well as Brazilian professors and judges who frequently visit the city.
The Program has established a special bond with members of Brazil’s Supreme Federal Tribunal (STF) and Superior Tribunal of Justice (STJ). STF ministers who have participated in programs at WCL include Ministers Gilmar Mendes, Teorí Zavascki, Cármen Lúcia, Luís Roberto Barroso and the current president of the STF, José Antonio Dias Toffoli. Visitors from the STJ have included Ministers João Otávio de Noronha, Luís Felipe Salomão, Paulo de Tarso Sanseverino, Ricardo Villas Bôas Cueva, Francisco Falcão, Marco Buzzi, Paulo Dias de Moura Ribeiro, Sebastião Reis Junior, Antonio Carlos Ferreira and Raul Araújo Filho.
In addition to organizing events and initiatives, the Program collaborates with activities that already exist between AUWCL and Brazil in such areas as international commercial arbitration, intellectual property, environmental law and human rights.
Professor Gustavo Ribeiro named new Director
Professor Gustavo Ribeiro has been named the new director of the Brazil-US Legal and Judicial Studies Program at American University Washington College of Law. More information here.