Rice alumna is ‘friend of the court’

Rice alumna Carla Martinez-Brito ‘05 played a role in the Supreme Court’s decision last month on Arizona’s immigration law.

A German and Hispanic studies major, Martinez-Brito interned with the legal attaché at the Mexican embassy in London and Washington while she was at Rice. She then got a law degree from Columbia Law School, and since 2010 has had the opportunity to continue collaborating with the embassy and represent Mexico and 17 Latin-American countries as amici curiae (friends of the court) in the Arizona case.

She co-authored the amicus curiae brief for Mexico that was cited on page 3 of the Supreme Court opinion. The court agreed with the brief, noting, “Immigration policy can affect trade, investment, tourism and diplomatic relations for the entire nation, as well as the perceptions and expectations of aliens in this country who seek the full protection of its laws.”

Martinez-Brito will start a new job July 16 as an associate in the Clifford Chance law firm’s New York City office.