Carlos Dominguez, a Leading Attorney in South America, Speaks to Environmental Students at University of Denver

An important benefit of studying at the University of Denver Sturm College of Law is the opportunity it provides students and faculty to learn from prominent lawyers from around the world. Recently, one of South America's top attorneys, Carlos Dominguez of Caracas, Venezuela, spent several weeks as a visiting scholar at DU.

One of the classes Mr. Dominguez spoke to was "Comparative Environmental Law," which I teach. In the course, we consider environmental and legal matters in a range of countries. We also talk about the types of issues that might arise in an international setting.

We were honored to have Mr. Dominguez, a partner in the highly-respected firm Hoet Pelaez Castillo & Duque, speak to the class about his practice in litigation and intellectual property law. Among other things, he talked about the historical development of the oil and gas sector in Venezuela.

It was particularly great to have Mr. Dominguez speak since there are an increasingly growing group of matters that are dealt with in an international -- as opposed to just a domestic -- setting, and it is beneficial for students to hear individuals whose experience reflects these changes in the practice of law.

Among the students in the class were individuals from Argentina, Ghana, Japan, Nigeria, Peru, and the United States. (The students in this class really reflect the international diversity of DU's graduate program.)

During his time in Denver, Mr. Dominguez spoke to a wide range of classes, held meetings with many members of the faculty, met with numerous students, and was a great colleague and friend to all of us here.

Muchas gracias a Señor Dominguez. Nos vemos el año próximo! (Many thanks Mr. Dominguez. We will see you next year!)

--Don Smith