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 (AUWCL). 

Founded by the late Judge Peter Messitte, the Brazil-U.S. Legal and Judicial Studies Program is a unique initiative dedicated to the study of legal and judicial institutions of Brazil and the United States. The program fosters dialogue and collaboration among judges, academics, prosecutors, and legal professionals in both countries. 

“I’m honored to lead the Brazil-U.S. Legal and Judicial Studies Program into its next chapter,” said Ribeiro. “As its new director, I’m excited to bring my experience and connections to further strengthen the foundation laid by Judge Messitte and contribute meaningfully to AUWCL’s academic community.”

“American University's Brazil-U.S. Legal and Judicial Studies Program meant the world to my father, US District Court Judge Peter Messitte. I know how proud he was to be present at the creation of the initiative,” said Zach Messitte, son of late Judge Peter Messitte. “He believed deeply that promoting the rule of law and the international exchange of best practices and ideas was fundamental to achieving equal justice under the law for everyone."

The Brazil-US Legal and Judicial Studies Program has consistently helped deepen understanding between the Brazilian and U.S. legal systems, promote the exchange of practical knowledge, and uphold shared commitments to the rule of law and democracy.

Interim Dean Heather Hughes welcomed Ribeiro’s appointment. “Professor Ribeiro is the perfect person to advance AUWCL’s Brazil-U.S. Legal and Judicial Studies Program” she said. “This distinctive program supports comparative legal scholarship and plays a vital role in our law school’s extensive international law offerings.”

“I’m delighted that Professor Ribeiro has agreed to lead the Brazil-U.S. Program,” said Professor Padideh Ala’i, director of the International and Comparative Legal Studies Program at AUWCL. “He is ideally positioned to expand its legacy and integrate it with other international and comparative initiatives. I look forward to working closely with him.”

“Judge Peter Messitte built, with vision and perseverance, one of the most important institutional bridges between Brazilian and American legal thought,” Augusto Coelho, who has provided substantial support to the program, said. “Under his leadership, the program became a benchmark for comparative legal dialogue and the training of jurists committed to democratic values. I am proud to reaffirm my support for this initiative as Professor Ribeiro takes the helm, bringing with him academic excellence and international perspective.”

Professor Ribeiro joined AUWCL in 2023 as an assistant professor. He previously taught at Campbell Law School (2021–2023), Boston University School of Law (2017–2021), and Fundação Getulio Vargas (FGV) in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, as a visiting professor.

He earned his LLB summa cum laude from FGV in 2010 and his SJD from Harvard Law School in 2017. His legal career includes serving as a law clerk to Judge William G. Young of the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts and working as a litigation associate at Greenberg Traurig LLP.