William Suárez-Potts

William Suárez-Potts is an Associate Professor in the Department of History at Rice University. His research focuses on legal history, particularly in Mexico, examining the interplay between legal systems, state formation, and social change. He holds a Ph.D. and M.A. from Harvard University, a J.D. from the University of Pennsylvania Law School, and a B.A. from the University of California, Berkeley.

His first book, The Making of Law, explores labor law development in Mexico from 1875–1931, analyzing how legal doctrines adapted to authoritarian regimes and revolutionary upheavals. His current project traces the evolution of legal practices in Mexico since its independence, emphasizing elite power consolidation and wealth generation. He teaches courses in legal history and is affiliated with the Politics, Law and Social Thought program.

His publications address themes such as constitutional interpretation, labor justice, and post-revolutionary legal frameworks. He has contributed to journals like Journal of Latin American Studies and Labor History, focusing on topics like the 1917 Mexican Constitution, labor strikes, and judicial roles in labor disputes.