ELI legal studies coordinator, federal judge attend conference in Ecuador

Legal Studies coordinator Chris Wolfe (left) and Federal judge Gregory Sleet (center) met with Ecuadorian Supreme Court Justice Arturo Desantos (fourth from left) and Catholic University Law Professors Maria Jativa and Ernesto Guarderas in Quito.

In June 2004, ELI’s legal studies coordinator Christopher Wolfe traveled to Ecuador with the Honorable Gregory M. Sleet, a U.S. federal judge, to participate in an international conference on oral trial advocacy.

Their participation was a continuation of a four-year partnership between the

University of Delaware,Widener Law School and Catholic University Law School in Quito, Ecuador. Funded by the U.S. State Department, the partnership has assisted Ecuador in making the transition from traditional criminal trials based on written documents to a system of live, oral argument such as that used in the United States.

In addition to attending the conference, which was hosted by Catholic University Law School, Wolfe and Sleet spent time with the dean of the law school and several professors.

“It is one thing for students and faculty to learn something from a book,” said Dean Santiago Guarderas, underlining the school’s excitement at the honor of hosting Judge Sleet. “It is another to have a U.S. federal judge confirming and explaining what they are learning.”

Judge Sleet and Wolfe also met with Justice Arturo Desantos of the Supreme Court of Ecuador, who welcomed the opportunity to share his concerns about the issues facing his country as it reforms its legal system.

“We face a monumental task,” he said, “and are very encouraged by your interest, assistance and presence in Ecuador.” Since 2001, 24 Ecuadorian professors and judges have participated in the American Law and Legal English Institute at the University of Delaware. In addition,Wolfe has traveled to Ecuador several times with professors from Widener University Law School to provide additional training to Ecuadorian lawyers and judges through seminars, classroom teaching and conference presentations.

“The program has resulted in significant changes and modernization in Ecuador’s legal education curriculum and courtroom practices,” said Wolfe.