Federico Sodi Romero

Federico Luis Carlos Sodi Romero was a Mexican lawyer, novelist, professor, and playwright who gained notoriety as a public defender in his native Oaxaca City and later in Mexico City. He was the defense attorney of David Alfaro Siqueiros in the lead-up to his trial for the attempted assassination of Leon Trotsky.

Early life and education

Federico Luis Carlos Sodi Romero was born on March 2, 1890, in Oaxaca City, Oaxaca. He was the son of Carlos Sodi Candiani and Refugio Romero Guendulain. On his father's side he belonged to the Sodi family, whose members have stood out throughout Mexican history in different fields.
In 1913, Sodi graduated with a law degree from the Institute of Sciences and Arts of Oaxaca.
Sodi was a professor at the National School of Jurisprudence for 4 years, during which he counted Miguel Alemán among his students, who during his mandate as Mexican president, offered him a seat as a federal deputy, which he refused.