US Ambassador to speak at UQ

University of Queensland law students will enjoy a rare insight into US Supreme Court procedures during a special guest lecture by the US Ambassador to Australia Jeffrey L Bleich when he visits UQ on Monday, August 13.

Ambassador Bleich will be the first speaker to take part in the annual Minter Ellison Sir Harry Gibbs Lecture, organised by students from The UQ Law Society (UQLS).

During the event, the Ambassador will share his perspectives on the process of appointing a US Supreme Court Justice, before taking audience questions on his past experiences in law, politics and international affairs.

UQLS Vice-President of Education and Competitions, Ben O'Sullivan described Ambassador Bleich’s appearance as an exciting beginning for the new lecture series, named in honour of the Society’s first President, Harry Talbot Gibbs who went on to become Chief Justice of the High Court of Australia.

“The series aims to attract high profile speakers to impart wisdom and inspire generations of future leaders from the UQ Law School community,” Mr O’Sullivan said.

“We’re absolutely delighted that Ambassador Bleich has accepted our invitation to take part in the inaugural event as his professional status and career experiences have raised considerable interest among law students, so it’s a fantastic way to kick-off the series,” he said.

Ambassador Bleich is the 24th American Ambassador to the Commonwealth of Australia. Prior to taking up this position in 2009, Ambassador Bleich served as Special Counsel to President Obama in the White House following a distinguished career in legal practice.

After graduating in law from the University of California at Berkeley School of Law, Mr Bleich clerked for Judge Abner J. Mikva of the D.C. Circuit (1989-90), Chief Justice William Rehnquist of the United States Supreme Court (1990-91), and Judge Howard Holtzmann of the Iran-U.S. Claims Tribunal.

Media contact: Melissa Reynolds ph 07 3365 2523 or m.reynolds@law.uq.edu.au