Raul was born and raised in Maracaibo, Venezuela.  He is a graduate from the Universidad Catolica's Law School (1997) and Cambridge University (LL.M. 1999).  Before joining USC's political science program, Raul practiced law as an assistant clerk at the Venezuelan Supreme Court for five years and worked as a part-time instructor and lecturer of law in Caracas.  His research is in the field of judicial politics (both domestic and comparative) and the study of politics in Latin America.

Raul can be reached via email at sanchezu@mailbox.sc.edu.