James L. Cavallaro
- Professor of Law
- Director of the International Human Rights and Conflict Resolution Clinic
- Director of the Human Rights Center
- Room N140, Neukom Building
Expertise
- Human Rights
- Human Rights International Law
Biography
Professor James Cavallaro, the founding director of Stanford Law School’s International Human Rights and Conflict Resolution Clinic, has dedicated his career to human rights—in both his scholarly research and his legal practice. His extensive expertise is derived from active involvement in the defense of rights, in the development of international human rights law and the human rights movement, particularly in the Americas and in international human rights litigation. A prolific scholar and sought-after voice on international human rights issues, he is frequently called upon to offer his expertise by the media and civil society. Professor Cavallaro received his BA from Harvard University and his JD from Berkeley Law School. He also holds a doctorate in human rights and development (Universidad Pablo de Olavide, Seville, Spain). In 1994, he opened a joint office for Human Rights Watch and the Center for Justice and International Law in Rio de Janeiro serving as director, overseeing research, reporting and litigation before the Inter-American system’s human rights bodies. In 1999, he founded the Global Justice Center, a leading Brazilian human rights NGO. He has held positions at Harvard Law School as a clinical professor of law and executive director of the Harvard Law School Human Rights Program. He joined Stanford Law School’s faculty in 2011. In June 2013, Professor Cavallaro was elected to the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights.
Professor Cavallaro has authored or co-authored dozens of books, reports and articles on human rights issues, including most recently: No Nos Toman en Cuenta: Pueblos Indígenas y Consulta Previa en Las Pisciculturas de la Araucanía (2013); Living Under Drones: Death, Injury and Trauma to Civilians from US Drone Practices in Pakistan (2012); “Reevaluating Regional Human Rights Litigation in the Twenty-First Century: the Case of the Inter-American Court,” American Journal of International Law (2008).
Education
- Harvard College A.B. 1984 Government
- Boalt Hall (University of California at Berkeley) J.D. 1992
Related Organizations
Courses
- Advanced International Human Rights and Conflict Resolution Clinic
- Human Rights and Film
- International Human Rights and Conflict Resolution Clinic: Clinical Coursework
- International Human Rights and Conflict Resolution Clinic: Clinical Methods
- International Human Rights and Conflict Resolution Clinic: Clinical Practice
Policy Practicum: Human Rights in the Americas: the Inter-American System
In this practicum, students will contribute to analyses of the current state of human rights in the Americas and, in particular, to analyses of areas of focus for the Inter-American Commission (the “Commission”). Students will become familiar with international and regional standards in human rights and with the procedures, history and practice of the Commission and will contribute, through their policy analysis, to the work of the Commission. Working independently and/or in teams, students will prepare studies on situations of rights abuse, as well as on best practices across the region.
view practicumStanford Human Rights Center
The Stanford Human Rights Center provides tools for students, advocates, states, and civil society to better understand how to respect and protect human rights. The Center was created in 2013 to conduct applied human rights research. We promote events, student engagement, and public understanding of international human rights and global justice.
Our work focuses on public policy analysis in the areas of criminal justice reform, conditions of detention, and developing incentives for states and corporations to respect human rights. Although our main area of focus for this work is Latin America, our work on corporate accountability has taken us across the globe.
International Human Rights and Conflict Resolution Clinic
The Stanford International Human Rights and Conflict Resolution Clinic, launched in 2011, addresses a range of situations of rights abuse and violent conflict around the world. By providing direct representation to victims and by working with communities that have suffered or face potential abuse, the Clinic seeks both to train advocates and advance the cause of human rights and global justice.
View International Human Rights Clinic