Elizabeth Trujillo

Elizabeth Trujillo is the Mary Ann & Lawrence E. Faust Professor of Law and Founding Director of the Initiative on Global Law and Policy for the Americas at the University of Houston Law Center. She is currently a Fernand Braudel Senior Fellow at the European University Institute (2024–2025) and has held prior academic appointments at Texas A&M University School of Law and Suffolk University Law School.

• University of Houston Law Center (Current)
• Texas A&M University School of Law (2016–2019)
• Suffolk University Law School (2007–2016)
• Visiting Professor, Florida State University (2005–2006)
• Visiting Scholar, Harvard Law School (2011–2012)
• Alexander von Humboldt Research Fellow, Max Planck Institute (2015–2016)

Her research centers on international trade and investment law, particularly in the context of sustainable development, energy regulation, and environmental protection. She employs comparative law methodologies to analyze the interplay between international economic law and domestic regulatory frameworks, with a regional focus on the Americas.

Her recent scholarly work explores the legal dimensions of deep decarbonization, regulatory cooperation in trade agreements, and the balance between investor protection and the right to regulate in environmental policy. The articles reflect a consistent trend toward understanding how evolving international trade regimes can support or hinder national climate and sustainability goals.

• Latina Trailblazer Award, Hispanic National Bar Association (2012)
• Global Faculty Award, University of Houston (2024)
• Fernand Braudel Senior Fellowship, European University Institute (2024–2025)
• Alexander von Humboldt Research Fellow (2015–2016)
• Elected Member, American Law Institute

Professor Trujillo has secured research grants, including one from the University of Bologna to co-host 'Sustainability Week' in 2024. As director of the Initiative on Global Law and Policy, she leads interdisciplinary research and convenes international dialogues. She has advised on trade policy and has been interviewed by major media outlets such as the Houston Chronicle, CBC News, and Bloomberg BNA. Her work on USMCA and Latin American trade policy has informed public discourse and academic debate.

She leads the Initiative on Global Law and Policy for the Americas, a research hub fostering collaboration between the University of Houston and international partners such as the University of Bologna. The initiative supports scholarly exchange, policy development, and public engagement on sustainable trade and investment frameworks.