Brazilian VIPs Visit TJSL
May 20, 2011
It’s not every day that Thomas Jefferson School of Law hosts an official state visit and from May 19-23, two high level officials from the Brazilian government are visiting the law school.
The former attorney general of Brazil, Jefferson Carus Guedes, and Brazil’s national private insurance commissioner Bruno Perrut came as part of TJSL’s United States and Brazil Legal Education Exchange program (LEEP). Under the program, Brazilian students will study at TJSL and TJSL students will study at the AGU, a government academic legal institution sponsored by Brazil’s Attorney General.
Guedes heads the AGU and is also the Advocate General of Brazil. And, yes, he is named in honor of Thomas Jefferson! Perrut’s office is part of the Brazilian attorney general’s office, and he has served in many federal legal positions during his career.
Dean Rudy Hasl greeted the distinguished visitors at the law school on Thursday afternoon, with Dean Hasl telling the visitors: “I am happy we can put together this kind of program. It makes so much sense in San Diego to build this kind of relationship with Brazil.”
After a get-acquainted meeting and an exchange of gifts, Guedes and Perrut took a tour of the new campus, led by Assistant Dean William Byrnes, and Carla McEwen who is the director of the LEEP program at TJSL.
The two guests were very impressed with the building and said they were honored by a display of Brazilian legal books in a special showcase set up on the fifth floor library.
Guedes and Perrut gave a special workshop on Brazilian law on Friday, May 20 explaining ithe intricacies of the Brazilian legal system, along with the similarities and differences with the U.S. system. The Brazilian attorney general’s office is set up on the model of Spain’s and Italy’s offices, and consults with and assesses the powers of the executive branch.
The two Brazilian officials are participated in the TJSL graduation ceremony at Copley Symphony Hall on Saturday, May 21, placing the hoods on the LL.M. program graduates.
On behalf of everyone at TJSL, welcome!