Sturm College of Law News
Retired Brazilian Federal Judge Speaks About Environmental Law in Brazil
February 25, 2009
DENVER — Vladimir Passos de Freitas, former federal judge and president of the Court of Appeal of the 4th Region in Brazil, says that his country “has a lot of interest in protecting the environment.” That interest is reflected in part, Judge de Freitas says, by Brazil’s widely-used and highly successful system of federal environmental courts.
Judge de Freitas, who spoke to University of Denver Sturm College of Law Environmental and Natural Resources Law & Policy graduate program (ENRLGP) students, said that environmental courts in Brazil “are now more strict and severe in these cases” than they ever have been in the country’s history.
Brazil is rapidly becoming one of the world’s most important engines of economic growth. The fifth largest country by geography and population, Brazil has the world’s 10th largest economy.
Judge de Freitas, while serving as president of the Court of Appeal of the 4th Region in Brazil, was instrumental in setting up environmental courts in Brazil’s three southernmost states. Professor George (Rock) Pring, a DU professor, described Judge de Freitas as “the father of Brazilian environment law.”
Don C. Smith, director of the ENRLGP, said, “It was an honor for the law school to host such an esteemed guest and environmental law leader. Judge de Freitas’ career has been one devoted to the people of Brazil and more broadly the world. The judge said several years ago, ‘We all have the ethical duty of taking care of the environmental preservation for the present and future generations.’ His life and career are an inspiration to all who meet him.”
Smith continued, “Students in the ENRLGP have opportunities to meet environmental leaders such as Judge de Freitas as well as take courses from international renowned professors like Prof. Rock Pring.”
To see a streaming video of Judge de Freitas addressing DU students, please click here. To see Don Smith interview the Judge, please click here.