In July, 1999, Roger Williams University School of Law signed a cooperation protocol with the Portuguese Ministry of Justice, the Office of the Attorney General of Portugal and the Luso-American Development Foundation establishing the Portuguese-American Comparative Law Center. The Center constitutes a focal point for Portuguese-American legal studies in the United States and maintains a leadership role in coordinating and directing international legal programming between the two countries.
The Portuguese-American Comparative Law Center is also responsible for sustaining numerous initiatives in service of its goals, including the development of a print and electronic Portuguese law library at the School of Law, the establishment of a law review, the construction of a comparative law internet website, the exchange of visiting legal scholars between Portugal and the United States, the creation of a speakers series on legal topics of bilateral interest, and the coordination of the annual international "Justice Across the Atlantic" conference series.
Mission Statement
The purpose of the Portuguese-American Comparative Law Center is to strengthen the bonds of friendship that exist between the United States and Portugal through the comparative study of their laws and legal systems
The Center thus endeavors to advance the development of legal scholarship while, at the same time, helping to promote increased international understanding and cooperation in the legal domain.
The Center also seeks to create and expand professional ties between the judges, court officials, legal educators, scholars, and lawyers of both countries.
In furthering its goals, the Center strives to encourage a free exchange of views and experiences between the United States and Portugal concerning legal topics of mutual interest, while at the same time fostering respect for the judicial and legal traditions of both nations.
