Washington, DC – OCTOBER 20, 2010 – The US State Department Public-Private Partnership for Justice Reform in Afghanistan has recognized Ambassador David T. Johnson with its Award for Distinguished Service for his tireless work to support justice reform and stabilization efforts in Afghanistan.

Ambassador Johnson serves as co-chair of the Public-Private Partnership.

The Executive Committee of the Public-Private Partnership commended Ambassador Johnson, noting he has assisted in creating a model for partnerships between the Department of State and the American legal community, including law firms, law schools and the federal judiciary, which has furthered the goal of creating a more just, free and peaceful Afghanistan.

Robert C. O’Brien, the managing partner of Arent Fox LLP’s Los Angeles office, who co-chairs the Public-Partnership for Justice Reform in Afghanistan, said, “Ambassador Johnson is one of the most dedicated and accomplished public servants with whom it has been my honor to serve. His commitment to helping the Afghan people establish the rule throughout their country and ensuring that all members of Afghan society are governed by the ideal of equal justice under law is unshakeable and worthy of our nation’s recognition and appreciation.”

David T. Johnson was sworn in as Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs on October 31, 2007. Prior to his appointment, Mr. Johnson served as Deputy Chief of Mission for the US Embassy in London from August 2003 until July 2007.

Mr. Johnson entered the United States Foreign Service in 1977. He served as the Afghan Coordinator for the United States from May 2002 to July 2003. He served as United States Ambassador to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) from January 1998 until December 2001. Before serving as Ambassador to the OSCE, Mr. Johnson was Deputy Press Secretary for Foreign Affairs at the White House and Spokesman for the National Security Council from 1995 to 1997. Previously, he served as Deputy Spokesman at the State Department and Director of the State Department Press Office; United States Consul General in Vancouver; and Deputy Director of the State Department's Operations Center.

Mr. Johnson has also worked in the Department of State on European security issues and as desk officer for Berlin, Austria, and Switzerland; an economic officer at the US Embassy in Berlin; and a vice consul at the US Consulate General in Ciudad Juarez. Before joining the Foreign Service, Mr. Johnson was an Assistant National Trust Examiner with the Treasury Department's Office of the Comptroller of the Currency.

About the Public-Private Partnership
Launched in December 2007, the 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.

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