David Huebner Politician

David Huebner (born 1960) is a partner in the international arbitration, public international law, and national security practices of the law firm Arnold & Porter LLP, resident in its Los Angeles office. He previously served as the United States Ambassador to New Zealand and Samoa. He was the first openly gay U.S. ambassador confirmed by the U.S. Senate. His tenure was marked by significant improvement in bilateral relations, with commentators observing that relations are stronger and closer than they have been in decades. Called an “excellent public face for the United States,” he has been widely praised as a successful Ambassador including for his accessible, inclusive approach, his emphasis on students and future leaders, and the innovative restructuring of his Embassies around social media and other nontraditional tools and approaches of diplomacy. Before being appointed Ambassador he worked as an international lawyer in Los Angeles, Shanghai, and New York, specializing in international arbitration and mediation. He is licensed as an attorney in California, New York, and in the District of Columbia, and as a solicitor in England and Wales.