Class of 2026 Commencement Feature: Carlos Chinchilla | News | The Law School

Smiling young man in glasses, dark suit, and burgundy tie adjusting his cuff in a brightly lit, arched hallway. — *Carlos Chinchilla pictured inside of Biolchini Hall of Law*

Carlos Chinchilla did not originally plan to attend law school. Instead, he aspired to be a pilot. But after becoming more familiar with the public affairs of Honduras, his home country, he found himself immersed in the political situation and increasingly drawn to the field of law.

Carlos grew up in La Ceiba, a coastal city. He credits his parents for giving him the opportunity to receive a strong bilingual education that helped to open his mind, explore different perspectives, and gain enlightening professional opportunities. After high school, Carlos attended Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Honduras, where he received his law degree. He then decided to pursue his LL.M. in International Human Rights Law, eventually landing at Notre Dame Law School.

As he observed various disparities in Honduras, Carlos became passionate about being a force for change. “Every country has its problems, and Honduras is no exception,” said Carlos. “We have many issues with civil rights, rule of law, economic and social rights, and development. If you delve into the public affairs of the country and find the roots of these issues, you can better understand them through the lens of human rights.”

His zeal for human rights deepened during his time at Universidad Nacional Autónoma when a friend invited him to attend the first meeting of the human rights moot court. This experience led to an even deeper engagement into human rights cases. Carlos said the moot court opened many professional doors, including an internship at the Inter-American Court of Human Rights and later a position at the Supreme Court of Honduras, a post he still holds today. These opportunities gave him keen insight into the intersection of law and politics and further strengthened his commitment to human rights work.

Young man in a dark suit and red tie smiles with arms crossed in front of Eck Hall of Law. — *Carlos pictured outside of Eck Hall of Law*

Carlos knew that pursuing an LL.M. would be an excellent way to advance his legal career as a foreign-trained attorney, while also strengthening his ability to work with the government and address civil rights issues at home. Initially, Notre Dame Law School was not on his radar. But after exploring programs across Europe, he came across Notre Dame’s well-regarded International Human Rights Law program, which immediately stood out and drew him to the Law School.

“Notre Dame emphasizes genuine dialogue,” he said. “They encourage human rights lawyers to seek the truth, open themselves to the experiences of other people, and not lose sight of the ultimate principle of the protection of the human person.”

Carlos has enjoyed his time at Notre Dame Law School, making fond memories in his nine months on campus. He praises his small cohort. “There are only 10 of us, but the relatively small group has been very cohesive and we have a lot of fun.”

The cohort comprises 10 students from 10 countries across the globe. Carlos has built lasting friendships and loved each member’s sharing of their cultures and traditions. The people and relationships he has built here, he said, have made his experience especially meaningful and enjoyable.

A man in glasses and a white shirt, and a woman with brown hair and red lipstick, smile while seated at laptops. — *Carlos and Oksana Ivantsiv at the Notre Dame Law School Global Human Rights Clinic*

Carlos firmly believes that being a “different kind of lawyer” means emphasizing open, genuine dialogue, searching for truth, and seeking out the good for others. Following graduation, he plans to return to Honduras and continue to support his family while pursuing a career in human rights law. He hopes to keep working with the Honduran government and to apply everything he learned at Notre Dame Law School to help him best aid his country.