Ambassador David Pressman is an internationally recognized litigator, diplomat, and strategist with deep experience guiding individuals and institutions through their most complex challenges and existential disputes. Described as “one of the world’s leading human rights advocates” (CNN), a “brilliant orator” (Le Monde), and a “high-profile diplomat” (The Guardian), Ambassador Pressman has represented some of the world’s most prominent clients confronting a wide array of legal, reputational, and transnational threats.

In private practice, Ambassador Pressman has led cutting-edge national security and human rights litigation and has represented victims of terrorism, hostages held overseas, and dissidents targeted by authoritarian regimes.  He has counseled clients involved in consequential Congressional investigations; led sensitive internal investigations and advised clients who are the subject of such investigations; counseled some of the world’s largest companies and leading institutions on exposure arising from business in high-risk markets; led negotiations to secure the release of hostages and wrongfully detained clients; and litigated novel issues involving sovereign immunity, state secrets, Anti-Terrorism Act and related national security matters.

As United States Ambassador to Hungary, Pressman led U.S. diplomatic engagement with one of America’s most challenging allies during Russia’s full-scale war against neighboring Ukraine.  Ambassador Pressman successfully led the United States efforts to lift Hungary’s veto on multiple sanctions packages targeting Russia, the creation of an international oil price cap regime, 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 leading negotiations with China on a landmark package of multilateral sanctions in response to nuclear activities on the Korean Peninsula. He also oversaw all Security Council work involving sanctions and international tribunals.

Prior to his service as U.S. Ambassador, Pressman served on the senior leadership team at the Department of Homeland Security.  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 and Atrocities on the National Security Council with a focus on international humanitarian and international criminal law.

Ambassador Pressman has advised some of the world’s most influential individuals and organizations on cross-cutting issues involving security and international law. He launched and led the Clooney Foundation for Justice and, earlier in his career, co-founded the human-rights organization Not On Our Watch with George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, and others. 

Ambassador Pressman has published widely in outlets including The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, and Time Magazine and has lectured extensively at leading universities and global forums.

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.