Institute of Politics

Ambassador David Pressman is an American diplomat, attorney, and strategist. A lawyer who represents clients in existential disputes with governments and strongmen, he has been described as a “brilliant orator” (Le Monde), “one of the world’s leading human rights advocates” (CNN), and a “high-profile diplomat” (The Guardian).

In private practice, Ambassador Pressman represents individuals and institutions in high-stakes crises around the world. His clients have included hostages held overseas, victims of terrorism seeking justice through U.S. courts, and multinational companies navigating legal and political risk in complex jurisdictions. He has also advised clients embroiled in some of the most consequential Congressional investigations in American history.

Ambassador Pressman has worked directly for four members of the U.S. Cabinet under three Presidents, all in the national security or law enforcement domain. He has twice been confirmed by the United States Senate – first as United States Ambassador to the United Nations Security Council and more recently as United States Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Hungary.

As Ambassador to Hungary, Pressman led U.S. diplomacy in Europe with one of the United States’ most challenging allies while a land-war raged next door. Ambassador Pressman led the United States' successful efforts to lift Hungary’s veto on multiple sanctions packages targeting Russia, the creation of an oil price cap scheme, adoption of a global minimum tax, opening European Union accession talks with Ukraine, and NATO’s historic expansion to include both Sweden and Finland.

As the United States Ambassador to the United Nations Security Council, Pressman served as the senior U.S. negotiator on international disputes around the world, including issues involving Russia’s initial invasion of Ukraine; the crisis in Myanmar; and leading negotiations with China on a landmark package of multilateral sanctions in response to nuclear activities on the Korean Peninsula.

Prior to his service as U.S. Ambassador, Pressman served on the senior leadership team at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). As Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security, Pressman led the Department’s Office of Policy Development responsible for formulating and advancing policy and regulations on complex legal and security issues.

At the White House, Pressman served as the Director for War Crimes on the National Security Council. Pressman’s work led to the first Presidential directive banning human rights abusers from entering the United States; the first Presidential directive creating a standing body responsible for the early prevention of mass atrocities; the first White House body devoted to finding and bringing priority international war criminals to justice; and, mobilized U.S. efforts leading to the successful adoption of the first United Nations resolution in history recognizing lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender rights as human rights.

Earlier in his career, Ambassador Pressman co-founded the human rights organization Not On Our Watch with George Clooney, Brad Pitt, and Matt Damon. He also launched and led George and Amal Clooney’s family foundation, the Clooney Foundation for Justice.

Ambassador Pressman began his government service as an aide to Secretary of State Madeleine K. Albright. He received his B.A. from Brown University and graduated magna cum laude and Order of the Coif from New York University School of Law.