María Jesús Sánchez Cano

María Jesús Sánchez Cano is a Professor of Law at Universidad San Jorge (USJ) in Spain, affiliated with the Faculty of Communication and Social Sciences. With a doctoral degree from the University of Zaragoza (2016), she has established herself as a prominent scholar in Private International Law, particularly focusing on family law aspects with cross-border implications. Her academic career spans from 2012 to present, with a consistent publication record demonstrating expertise in international adoption, parentage determination, and EU family law matters.

Dr. Sánchez Cano's research interests center on Private International Law with specialized focus on: international adoption (including adult adoption), determination of parentage in transnational contexts, international child abduction cases under the Hague Convention, freedom of movement within the EU in relation to family matters, and the intersection of disability law with international legal frameworks. Her work frequently analyzes Spanish case law and its implementation of EU regulations, particularly the Brussels II bis Regulation regarding parental responsibility.

Her scholarly output includes 32 journal articles, 19 collaborations in collective works, 6 books, and 1 doctoral thesis. Recent publications (2021-2025) demonstrate continued productivity and engagement with current legal challenges in international family law. Her work shows a consistent pattern of analyzing specific court cases to identify practical challenges in applying international legal frameworks within the Spanish legal system.

Dr. Sánchez Cano has established significant research collaborations, particularly with Romina Santillán Santa Cruz and Javier Martínez Calvo. These collaborations have resulted in numerous co-authored publications across various years, indicating integration within broader academic networks in Private International Law. She has also directed or co-directed academic publications, demonstrating leadership in her field.

Her doctoral thesis, completed in 2016 at the University of Zaragoza, focused on 'The institution of simple or less full adoption: concept and treatment from the perspective of Spanish Private International Law,' establishing the foundation for her subsequent research trajectory in international family law matters.