Berit Reiss-Andersen facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Berit Reiss-Andersen
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| Member of the Norwegian Nobel Committee | |
| Assumed office 20 February 2017 |
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| Preceded by | Kaci Kullmann Five |
| Board Member of the Nobel Foundation | |
| Assumed office 2014 |
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| Member of the Norwegian Nobel Committee | |
| In office 1 January 2012 – 31 December 2017 |
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| President of the Norwegian Bar Association | |
| In office 2008–2012 |
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| Preceded by | Anders Ryssdal |
| Succeeded by | Erik Keiserud |
| State Secretary for the Minister of Justice and Police | |
| In office 7 November 1996 – 4 April 1997 |
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| Prime Minister | Thorbjørn Jagland |
| Minister | Anne Holt Gerd-Liv Valla |
| Preceded by | Ingeborg Moen Borgerud |
| Succeeded by | Ingunn Yssen |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 11 July 1954 Drøbak, Akershus, Norway |
| Political party | Labour |
| Spouse | Pjotr Sapegin (formerly) |
| Profession | Lawyer |
Berit Reiss-Andersen, born on July 11, 1954, is a well-known Norwegian lawyer and author. She used to be a politician for the Norwegian Labour Party. Today, she is an important member of the Norwegian Nobel Committee. This special group of five people chooses who wins the famous Nobel Peace Prize each year.
She also serves on the board of the Nobel Foundation. This foundation is in charge of all five Nobel Prizes. Before these roles, she worked as a top government official. She was a state secretary for the Minister of Justice and Police from 1996 to 1997. She also led the Norwegian Bar Association, a group for lawyers, from 2008 to 2012. Berit Reiss-Andersen has even written two mystery novels with former Justice Minister Anne Holt. She currently works as a partner at a law firm called DLA Piper in Oslo.
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Berit Reiss-Andersen's Legal Career
Berit Reiss-Andersen studied law at the University of Oslo. She earned her law degree in 1981. This degree is like a master's degree in law.
After finishing her studies, she worked in different legal roles. She was an officer at the Norwegian Office of Immigration. She also advised the Royal Ministry of Justice and the Police. From 1984 to 1987, she worked as a prosecutor for the Oslo Police. A prosecutor is a lawyer who works for the government to bring charges against people who break the law.
In 1987, she started her own law practice in Oslo. She worked there for many years. By 1995, she was allowed to argue cases in front of the Supreme Court of Norway. This is the highest court in Norway. In 1997, she became a regular defense lawyer for the Oslo District Court. She also worked for the Borgarting Court of Appeal. In 2016, she joined DLA Piper as a partner. From 2008 to 2012, she was the president of the Norwegian Bar Association. This means she was the main leader for lawyers in Norway.
Her Political Work
Berit Reiss-Andersen also had a career in politics. She was a state secretary for the Minister of Justice and Police. This role is a high-level government position. She served in this role from 1996 to 1997. She was part of the Labour Party government. The prime minister at that time was Thorbjørn Jagland.
Her Role with the Nobel Prizes
Berit Reiss-Andersen has a very important role with the Nobel Prizes. On November 22, 2011, she was chosen to be a member of the Norwegian Nobel Committee. The Storting, which is Norway's Parliament, elected her. Her term on the committee began on January 1, 2012.
The Norwegian Nobel Committee is a five-person group. They are responsible for choosing the winner of the Nobel Peace Prize. This prize is given to people or groups who have done a lot to promote peace. On February 20, 2017, she became the acting chairman of the committee. This happened after the previous chairman, Kaci Kullmann Five, passed away. Then, on May 2, 2017, she was officially elected as the chairman. She will serve in this role until 2023. As chairman, she helps lead the committee in selecting the Nobel Peace Prize winner.
Since 2014, she has also been a board member of the Nobel Foundation. This foundation has the main responsibility for all five Nobel Prizes. These prizes include physics, chemistry, medicine, literature, and peace.
Berit Reiss-Andersen is very dedicated to the Nobel Peace Prize. She wanted to attend the funeral of Nobel Peace Prize winner Liu Xiaobo. However, the Chinese government did not allow her to travel there.
Her Books
Besides her legal and Nobel work, Berit Reiss-Andersen is also an author. She has written two crime novels. She wrote these books with Anne Holt, who was also a former Minister of Justice.
Her Family Background
Berit Reiss-Andersen's grandfather was Gunnar Reiss-Andersen. He was a famous poet in Norway. He wrote many beautiful poems.
