On November 21, 2011, Robert C. O’Brien, the managing partner of Arent Fox’s Los Angeles office, addressed a gathering of dignitaries at the Department of State in Washington, DC, to welcome his successor as co-chair of the Public-Private Partnership for Justice Reform in Afghanistan. Attendees of the event included the ambassador of Afghanistan, Ambassador Eklil Hakimi, Deputy Secretary of State Tom Nides, the Deputy Special Representative to the President of the United States for Afghanistan and Pakistan, Dan Feltman, former Lt. Gov. Kerry Healey of Massachusetts, and US District Court Judge David O. Carter. In his remarks, Mr. O’Brien acknowledged the key support of Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, as well as co-chairs of the Public-Private Partnership, Ambassador Tom Schweich and Ambassador David Johnson. He also warmly welcomed Tom Umberg, who is succeeding Mr. O’Brien as co-chair of the Public-Private Partnership.

Mr. O’Brien had served as co-chair of the US State Department’s Public-Private Partnership for Justice Reform in Afghanistan since being appointed by Secretary Rice in December 2007. On November 17, 2011, Mr. O’Brien received Arent Fox’s Marc L. Fleischaker Award for his pro bono service to the Public-Private Partnership.

The transcript of Robert O'Brien's remarks may be viewed here and the video can be seen here.

The Public-Private Partnership is an opportunity for America's legal community to support rule-of-law development in Afghanistan. The Partnership allows law firms and law schools to demonstrate their commitment to improving the justice system in Afghanistan. More information about the Public-Private Partnership is available at the State Department website.