Marcela Prieto, Associate Professor of Law at USC Gould School of Law, is not only an accomplished academic but also a dedicated advocate for justice. Her teaching portfolio spans criminal law, criminal procedure, and international law, while her research delves into the intersection of international humanitarian law and moral and political philosophy. Additionally, she explores comparative constitutional law, demonstrating her commitment to addressing global and systemic issues of justice.
Prieto’s passion for law is deeply personal. After discovering her affinity for criminal and international law during her time as a law student, she served as a prosecutor in Chile, handling cases tied to human rights violations committed during the dictatorship. “I used to prosecute crimes such as extrajudicial executions that qualified as war crimes,” she explains. This experience sparked her interest in the international systems designed to protect people during armed conflicts, which became the foundation for her academic focus on international humanitarian law and its underlying philosophical principles.
Despite the often challenging and sobering nature of her work, Prieto emphasizes the importance of perseverance. Reflecting on her time working with victims’ families in Chile, she notes that achieving justice often takes decades of relentless effort. “There were periods of time when I’m sure they were not hopeful,” she shares, “but they kept going, and in the end, that’s what matters.”
Prieto acknowledges the emotional toll of working on long-term, trauma-filled cases but emphasizes the importance of community, self-care, and maintaining a balanced life. She sees this evolving awareness within the legal profession as a sign of progress. “Nowadays, there’s much more awareness about the need for a trauma-informed approach. Advocates are usually also getting mental health counseling, which helps ensure they can sustain their efforts.”
In her classroom, Prieto fosters a spirit of critical inquiry, urging students to challenge the status quo and explore alternatives. She aims to expand their perspectives by introducing them to how other countries handle complex legal issues. “It’s easy to think the way things are in your legal system is the natural way,” she says. “I want my students to question everything they learn and decide for themselves if it makes sense.”
As someone who has navigated the shift from one legal system to another, Prieto understands the disorientation her students might feel when confronting unfamiliar concepts. She uses her experiences to demonstrate that every legal system has strengths and flaws, encouraging students to think globally and critically about the law.
Through her teaching and research, Prieto equips future lawyers with the tools to pursue justice and embrace the transformative potential of the legal profession.
Watch the full interview with Professor Prieto to hear more about her background and work in international humanitarian law.
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