New Brazil-U.S. Legal and Judicial Studies Program Launched at American University Washington College of Law

First- of-Its-Kind U.S. Program Led by Senior U.S. District Judge Peter J. Messitte

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Washington, D.C., Oct. 24, 2012 - American University Washington College of Law proudly announces the establishment of the Brazil-U.S. Legal and Judicial Studies Program, a comparative law program focused exclusively on Brazil and the United States and their respective legal and judicial institutions.

"The Brazil-U.S. Legal and Judicial Studies Program is the first program to offer a direct comparison of Brazil legal and judicial institutions with those of the United States," said Claudio Grossman, dean, American University Washington College of Law. "We're proud to host a program that helps its participants gain a firmer understanding of both legal systems."

The Program will coordinate seminars on various comparative law issues for Brazilian judges, legal professionals, academics, and students, and will also assist those in the U.S. who wish to have comparable introductions to Brazilian law. The program will tap into the collaboration of Brazilian lawyers who reside and work in the Washington, D.C. region, and Brazilian professors and judges who frequently visit the city.

The Program also coordinates the law school's existing activities in Brazil; most recently an international commercial arbitration program in São Paulo, a seminar on administrative law in Porto Alegre, and the Seventh Annual Symposium on International Trade, sponsored together with the Brazilian Association of International Trade in Washington, D.C. In 2013, American University Washington College of Law will coordinate with the U.S. Embassy and the Fulbright Commission in Brazil to hold an event highlighting U.S. law schools for Brazilian audiences, and will also host Brazil's Labor Court judges during their bi-annual convention, in Washington, D.C. Other anticipated projects include a week-long seminar comparing Brazil and U.S. legal and judicial institutions, for students, lawyers, and professionals.

The new Program is headed by Senior U.S. District Judge Peter J. Messitte, a longtime friend and colleague of the Brazilian Judiciary and Bar. Messitte is a former Member of the International Judicial Relations Committee of the U.S. Judicial Conference, where he chaired the Working Group on Latin America and the Caribbean. He is a member of the Advisory Council of the American Bar Association Rule of Law Initiative for Latin America and the Caribbean. Messitte speaks fluent Portuguese and has written and spoken widely about Brazil-U.S. legal and judicial topics for many years.

Renata Brazil David, associate director of the Program and a Brazilian national, recently retired as director of legal affairs for the International Telecommunications Satellite Organization (ITSO). Dr. Brazil David holds an LL.M. in International Trade Law from the University of Essex in England and an S.J.D. (Ph.D. in Law) from American University Washington College of Law.

For further information, please contact Renata Brazil David, associate director, Brazil-U.S. Legal and Judicial Studies Program.

Media inquiries can be directed to Megan Smith, 202-274-4276.

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About American University Washington College of Law

In 1896, American University Washington College of Law became the first law school in the country founded by women. More than 100 years since its founding, this law school community is grounded in the values of equality, diversity, and intellectual rigor. The law school's nationally and internationally recognized programs (in clinical legal education, trial advocacy, international law, and intellectual property to name a few) and dedicated faculty provide its 1700 JD, LL.M., and SJD students with the critical skills and values to have an immediate impact as students and as graduates, in Washington, DC and around the world. For more information, visit wcl.american.edu.