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David Huebner
David Huebner, Former United States Ambassador to New Zealand and Samoa (left), with spouse, Dr Duane McWaine..jpg
David Huebner, former United States Ambassador to New Zealand and Samoa (left) with spouse, Dr. Duane McWaine
United States Ambassador to New Zealand
In office
December 4, 2009 – January 17, 2014
President Barack Obama
Preceded by William McCormick
Succeeded by Mark Gilbert
United States Ambassador to Samoa
In office
February 3, 2010 – January 17, 2014
President Barack Obama
Preceded by William McCormick
Succeeded by Mark Gilbert
Personal details
Born 1960 (age 64–65)
Mahanoy City, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Political party Democratic
Spouse Duane McWaine
Education Princeton University (BA)
Yale University (JD)

David Huebner, born in 1960, is an American lawyer and international arbitrator. He served as the U.S. Ambassador to New Zealand and Samoa. He was a pioneering ambassador, being the first openly diverse ambassador in the Obama administration and the third in U.S. history.

Early Life and Education

David Huebner grew up in Mahanoy City, a small coal mining town in Pennsylvania. He attended Mahanoy Area High School. After high school, he went to Princeton University, where he earned a degree with high honors from the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs. While at Princeton, he was recognized as a David Lawrence Scholar and was part of the Phi Beta Kappa honor society.

He then studied law at Yale Law School. There, he was the editor-in-chief of the Yale Journal on Regulation. He also directed the Street Law Project, which taught law classes in local high schools. From 1984 to 1985, he worked as a special assistant to Koji Kakizawa, a member of Japan's Parliament.

Legal Career

David Huebner swearing in
Huebner, with his partner Duane McWaine, being sworn in as ambassador by U.S. Vice President Joe Biden in 2009.

After finishing law school in 1986, David Huebner moved to Los Angeles, California. He started his private law career at Irell & Manella. In 1992, he joined the international law firm Coudert Brothers. He focused on international arbitration and making sure companies followed rules. He became a managing partner and even served as the global chairman and CEO of the firm.

In 2005, he moved to Shanghai, China, to open the first overseas office for Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP. He led the Shanghai office, working on international disputes and trade issues until he became an ambassador.

After his time as ambassador, in 2014, Huebner joined Arnold & Porter LLP. He helped governments and companies with international disagreements, trade, and investment. In 2016, President Barack Obama appointed him to a special panel for settling international investment disputes. In 2017, he became an independent arbitrator and mediator.

He is a respected expert in international arbitration. He serves on several important arbitration groups around the world. He also taught international law at the University of Southern California Gould School of Law for many years.

Diplomatic Service

Secretary Clinton forecourt
Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton with Ambassador Huebner during a traditional welcome ceremony in Wellington, New Zealand, November 2010.

In October 2009, President Barack Obama chose David Huebner to be the U.S. Ambassador to New Zealand and Samoa. The U.S. Senate approved his nomination in November 2009. Huebner was the first openly diverse ambassador in the Obama administration. He was also the first such ambassador in American history to be confirmed by the U.S. Senate. He was sworn in by Vice President Joseph Biden at the White House on December 4, 2009.

As ambassador, he was responsible for U.S. relations with New Zealand, Samoa, and also the small island nations of Cook Islands and Niue. During his time, he focused on connecting with young people and expanding exchange programs. He worked to find ways for the U.S. and these countries to work together on economic, science, and security projects. A shirt given to Ambassador Huebner during a visit to American Samoa is now part of the LGBT Collection at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History. Many people believe that relations between the United States and New Zealand became stronger during his term.

Strengthening International Ties

Ambassador Huebner hosted many important U.S. officials in New Zealand. These included visits from Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in 2010 and Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta in 2012. These were the first such visits in many years.

During her 2010 visit, Secretary Clinton and New Zealand's Foreign Minister signed the Wellington Declaration. This agreement strengthened the partnership between the U.S. and New Zealand. Later, in 2012, the Washington Declaration was signed. This agreement helped the two countries work together on security matters and disaster relief.

Huebner also helped Samoa and the United States sign an agreement to protect Samoa's ocean areas. He supported projects like building a medical center in Samoa.

Connecting with Young People

When he arrived, Ambassador Huebner started student adviser groups at universities in New Zealand. He met with these groups regularly. All the groups came together each year for a "Connecting Young Leaders Conference." This event focused on leadership training and discussions. This program was so successful that it was copied in other places.

In 2013, he started a similar event called the "Future Leaders of the Pacific Conference." This conference brought together young leaders from 17 Pacific Island nations. Other programs included awards for science students and social entrepreneurs. He also added Samoa to the Fulbright scholarship program. He often taught in high schools and lectured at universities. He also supported sports exchanges and hosted NASA's annual mobile apps competition.

Public Engagement

Ambassador Huebner changed how his embassies connected with the public. He focused on reaching out to all parts of society and using digital tools. He started new programs to involve different groups, including local communities, faith groups, and veterans. He made sure embassy events included people from all backgrounds.

He also made Embassy Wellington a testing ground for new digital diplomacy ideas. In 2010, he started one of the first ambassador blogs. He greatly expanded the embassies' use of social media. In 2013, he built a digital recording studio in the Wellington Embassy. Under his leadership, the Embassy also helped host a conference about digital communication and internet changes.

Community and Volunteer Work

David Huebner has supported youth literacy and education programs. He is an honorary chairperson for Fulbright New Zealand. He is also a trustee for the New Zealand Antarctic Heritage Trust. He is a patron for the American Chamber of Commerce.

He was a founding board member and co-chair of the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD). This organization works to promote fair and inclusive representation. He also served on the board of the Los Angeles Gay & Lesbian Center.

In 1994, he was appointed to the Los Angeles Quality & Productivity Commission. He also served on the California Law Revision Commission. He was appointed by two different governors and served several terms as chairman. He also worked as a lawyer for a commission that looked into the Los Angeles Police Department.

He has a strong interest in education. He has supported the public library in his hometown of Mahanoy City for many years. He was given the key to the city for his efforts. He has lectured at universities in China, New Zealand, and the United States. In 2015, he became a life member of the Council on Foreign Relations. He serves on the boards of several important organizations, including the Pacific Council on International Policy.

Awards and Recognitions

David Huebner has received many honors for his work.

  • In 2012, he and his team won the Gold Standard Award for Social Media Communications.
  • In 2013, he was the Grand Marshal for the 150th anniversary celebration of his hometown, Mahanoy City. He received the key to the city.
  • In October 2013, he and his partner, Dr. Duane McWaine, were honored by GABA (Gay Auckland Business Association). This was in recognition of their work with the community in New Zealand.
  • The Royal Society of New Zealand gave him an Illuminated Scroll in October 2013. This was for his efforts in promoting science and technology.
  • He was made a Fellow of the Auckland University of Technology Faculty of Business and Law in October 2013. This recognized his dedication to higher education.
  • In 2014, his diplomatic passport and other items from his time as ambassador were added to the permanent collection of American history at the Smithsonian Institution.
  • In 2016, the U.S. Navy awarded him the Distinguished Public Service Award. This was for his humanitarian and security work as ambassador.

See also

  • Embassy of the United States in Wellington
  • List of LGBT ambassadors of the United States
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