The University of Miami School of Law is a recognized leader in international law and legal scholarship, making its role as a member and co-director of SELA—the Seminario en Latinoamérica de Teoría Constitucional y Política (Seminar on Latin American Constitutional and Political Theory)—a natural extension of its global engagement. Founded at Yale Law School, SELA welcomed Miami Law as a partner institution in 2021.
Each year SELA hosts a gathering which brings together legal scholars from participating institutions in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, Paraguay, Peru, Puerto Rico, Spain, and the United States to discuss important legal issues in the hemisphere. Miami Law was proud to convene the gathering in 2024.
“SELA has long been one of the most important forums for scholars of Latin American law because it does more than promote academic exchange,” said Professor Irwin Stotzky, co-director of SELA. “It creates a space where leading intellectuals can critically examine democratic institutions, constitutional developments, and the rule of law across the region, while generating ideas about how to strengthen democratic governance and expand the effective protection of constitutional rights.”
Strong Faculty Presence in Panama City
From June 12-14, this year’s gathering took place in Panama City, where Miami Law faculty played a prominent role in advancing scholarly dialogue.
Professor Pablo Rueda-Sáiz presented “From Geneva to the Grassroots: Normative Divergence & Implementation of ILO 169 in Latin America” during Session 3, “Disciplining the Diffusion of Legal Norms.” Professor Lisa Iglesias served as commentator in the same session, contributing further depth to the discussion.
In Session 6, focused on “Law and Innovation,” Professor Madeleine Plasencia presented “Human Values Beyond All Price: Actor-Networks in the Law of Warnings,” exploring the intersection of law, technology, and human values.
Bridging Scholarship and Practice
SELA is widely regarded for fostering meaningful dialogue among leading scholars while building collaborative networks that strengthen democratic principles across the Americas. The annual conference provides a vital platform for presenting cutting-edge research selected by a distinguished committee of faculty directors and institutional partners. Papers—delivered in English, Spanish, or Portuguese—are discussed in panel format and later compiled for publication, extending their impact beyond the conference itself.
Stotzky underscored SELA's enduring relevance in an increasingly complex global landscape. “SELA’s value lies in its ability to bridge scholarship and practice, bringing together some of the region's leading legal thinkers to exchange ideas not only about how democracy and constitutionalism function, but about how they can be improved,” he said.
“Just as importantly, SELA helps U.S. scholars better understand the challenges confronting our own democracy by drawing lessons from Latin America's experiences with democratic transition, constitutional reform, institutional resilience, and threats to the rule of law.”
As one of only two U.S. law schools in the consortium, alongside Yale Law School, Miami Law remains deeply committed to advancing SELA’s mission. Through its active participation, the School of Law contributes to rich comparative dialogues, to illuminate the legal and constitutional pathways necessary to sustain vibrant, inclusive, and resilient democracies.
Learn more about international law at Miami Law
