David Huebner

Huebner was born in Mahanoy City, Pennsylvania, a small coal mining town in Schuylkill County.{{cite news|url=http://www.republicanherald.com/news/mahanoy_city_native_nominated_for_ambassadorship |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130201051408/http://www.republicanherald.com/news/mahanoy_city_native_nominated_for_ambassadorship |url-status=dead |archive-date=February 1, 2013 |title=Mahanoy City native nominated for ambassadorship |date=October 9, 2009 |work=Republican & Herald |publisher=republicanherald.com |access-date=October 13, 2009 }}{{cite book | last=Lerner | first=Marcy | title=View from the Top: Law Firm Leaders | publisher=Vault Inc. | location=New York City | date=December 2004 | series=Vault Career Library | pages=34 | isbn=978-1-58131-298-0 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=QlxhVOT1IJcC&q=%22David+Huebner%22&pg=PA34 | access-date=October 13, 2009 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140101120826/http://books.google.com/books?id=QlxhVOT1IJcC&pg=PA34&dq=%22David+Huebner%22&ei=5oDRSuT4DqCMygTNiqWQDg&client=firefox-a#v=onepage&q=%22David%20Huebner%22&f=false | archive-date=January 1, 2014 | url-status=live }} He attended Mahanoy Area High School after which he earned an A.B. degree summa cum laude from Princeton University's Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs.{{cite web |date=October 7, 2009 |title=President Obama Announces More Key Administration Posts |url=https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/the_press_office/President-Obama-Announces-More-Key-Administration-Posts-10/7/09/ |access-date=October 8, 2009 |work=whitehouse.gov |via=National Archives}} While at Princeton he was named a David Lawrence Scholar, served as president of Quadrangle Club, and was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa.Plenary Session Speaker Biographies | Every Voice Conference | Retrieved October 30, 2011 | http://alumni.princeton.edu/goinback/conferences/lgbt/EveryVoiceSpeakerBios.pdf {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130724180802/http://alumni.princeton.edu/goinback/conferences/lgbt/EveryVoiceSpeakerBios.pdf |date=2013-07-24 }}David Huebner Mediation Attorney | Mediation.com | Retrieved October 31, 2013 | http://www.mediation.com/memberprofile/david--huebner-90071-ac.aspx {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131101200919/http://www.mediation.com/memberprofile/david--huebner-90071-ac.aspx |date=2013-11-01 }} He earned his Juris Doctor degree at Yale Law School, where he served as editor-in-chief of the Yale Journal on Regulation, was director of the Street Law Project (which taught civics and basic law classes in local high schools), and was a member of the Yale AIDS Law Project, a student group that assisted with the publication of AIDS and the Law.{{cite journal | last=Judson | first=Bruce | date=July 1, 2008 | title=Remarks at the Twenty-Fifth Anniversary Dinner of the Yale Journal on Regulation | journal=Yale Journal on Regulation | issue=Summer 2008 | url=http://heinonline.org/HOL/Page?handle=hein.journals/yjor25&div=21&g_sent=1&collection=journals#335 | access-date=October 30, 2013 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150610214200/http://heinonline.org/HOL/Page?handle=hein.journals%2Fyjor25&div=21&g_sent=1&collection=journals#335 | archive-date=June 10, 2015 | url-status=live }}{{cite book | last=Burris | first=Scott | title=AIDS Law Today: A New Guide for the Public | publisher=Yale University Press | location=New Haven, Connecticut | date=March 31, 1993 | edition=2 | pages=xix | isbn=978-0-300-05512-2 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=NR7NmfvbXIEC&q=%22David+Huebner%22&pg=PR19 | access-date=October 13, 2009 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140101120852/http://books.google.com/books?id=NR7NmfvbXIEC&pg=PR19&dq=%22David+Huebner%22&lr=&ei=uSrUSoXQBqSCywSe2fCXDg&client=firefox-a#v=onepage&q=%22David%20Huebner%22&f=false | archive-date=January 1, 2014 | url-status=live }} From 1984 to 1985, Huebner was on leave of absence from Yale as a Henry Luce Scholar, serving as a special assistant to the Hon. Koji Kakizawa, a member of the lower house of Japan's Diet.{{cite news | url=http://www.csmonitor.com/2007/0820/p13s04-wmgn.html?page=2 | title=The challenge of working abroad | last=Gardner | first=Marilyn | date=August 20, 2007 | work=The Christian Science Monitor | publisher=csmonitor.com | access-date=October 13, 2009 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121014124333/http://www.csmonitor.com/2007/0820/p13s04-wmgn.html?page=2 | archive-date=October 14, 2012 | url-status=live }}{{cite web | url=http://law.usc.edu/contact/contactInfo.cfm?detailID=830 | title=David Huebner – Lecturer in Law | work=University of Southern California Law School | publisher=(law.usc.edu) | access-date=October 13, 2009 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091126032124/http://law.usc.edu/contact/contactInfo.cfm?detailID=830 | archive-date=November 26, 2009 | url-status=live }}

File:David Huebner swearing in.jpg in 2009.]]

After graduating from law school in 1986, Huebner moved to Los Angeles, California as a Fellow at the Center for Law in the Public Interest.Huebner Elected Chair of Law Revision Commission | California Law Revision Commission | August 28, 2006 | http://www.clrc.ca.gov/pub/Press/Press-Chair-Huebner-06.pdf {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131031161950/http://www.clrc.ca.gov/pub/Press/Press-Chair-Huebner-06.pdf |date=2013-10-31 }} A year later, he began his career in private legal practice at Irell & Manella.U.S. Department of State | Biography David Huebner | Retrieved October 30, 2013 | [https://web.archive.org/web/20100228034654/http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/biog/133312.htm] In 1992, Huebner joined the international law firm Coudert Brothers where he specialized in international arbitration and corporate compliance work and served as managing partner of the Los Angeles office, on the global executive board, and for a term as global chairman and chief executive officer. In September 2005, he joined Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP, moving to Shanghai to open the firm's first overseas office.December 8, 2009 | Former Sheppard Mullin Shanghai Managing Partner Appointed U.S. Ambassador To New Zealand And Samoa | http://www.sheppardmullin.com/press-releases-274.html {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131031081448/http://www.sheppardmullin.com/press-releases-274.html |date=2013-10-31 }} He served as the firm's chief representative in China and managing partner of the Shanghai office, where he specialized in international arbitration, corporate compliance, and trade until leaving to become Ambassador.{{cite web | url=http://governor.ca.gov/state/govsite/gov_htmldisplay.jsp?BV_SessionID=@@@@0020109464.1255421337@@@@&BV_EngineID=cccgadeiefghfikcfngcfkmdffidfnf.0&sCatTitle=Press+Release&sFilePath=/govsite/press_release/2005_04/20050413_GAAS13305_Appointments.html&sTitle=Governor+Schwarzenegger+Announces+Appointments+04%2F13%2F2005&iOID=65239 | title=Governor Schwarzenegger Announces Appointments 04/13/2005 | date=April 13, 2005 | work=Office of the Governor | publisher=(governor.ca.gov) | access-date=October 13, 2009 }}{{Dead link|date=November 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}

In April 2014, Huebner joined the law firm Arnold & Porter LLP as a partner in its international arbitration, public international law, energy, and national security practices.http://www.arnoldporter.com/news.cfm?u=FormerUSAmbassadortoNewZealandandSamoaDavidHuebnerJoinsArnoldPortersLosAngelesOffice&type=press_release&action=view&id=573 {{Webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20140425224003/http://www.arnoldporter.com/news.cfm?u=FormerUSAmbassadortoNewZealandandSamoaDavidHuebnerJoinsArnoldPortersLosAngelesOffice&type=press_release&action=view&id=573 |date=2014-04-25 }} | Former U.S. Ambassador to New Zealand and Samoa David Huebner Joins Arnold & Porter's Los Angeles Office | April 21, 2014.{{Cite web |url=http://www.arnoldporter.com/professionals.cfm?action=view&id=6629 |title = Arnold & Porter LLP - David Huebner |archive-url=https://archive.today/20140425224626/http://www.arnoldporter.com/professionals.cfm?action=view&id=6629 |archive-date=25 April 2014 |url-status=dead}} He represented governments and corporations in international disputes, trade, and investment matters with an emphasis on intellectual property-intensive sectors as well as energy, infrastructure, and construction projects. He also handled cross-border regulatory, corporate compliance, and cyber and supply chain security matters. In 2016, President Barack Obama appointed him to the Panel of Arbitrators of the International Centre for the Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID). The White House press release announcing the designation mentioned that the key administration appointment is for a six-year term.http://www.arnoldporter.com/en/people/h/huebner-david{{Dead link|date=November 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}{{Cite web |url=https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/the-press-office/2015/12/16/president-obama-announces-more-key-administration-posts |title=President Obama Announces More Key Administration Posts |access-date=2016-04-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170123071150/https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/the-press-office/2015/12/16/president-obama-announces-more-key-administration-posts |archive-date=2017-01-23 |via=National Archives |work=whitehouse.gov |date=16 December 2015 |url-status=live }} In early 2017 he left private law practice to become an independent arbitrator and mediator, and he affiliated with the arbitration institution JAMS International.{{Cite web|url=https://secure-web.cisco.com/10g08ljO4l7zzHxHozVQe0mpPJJcSbp8XCiLu4A0IoFO2lXgviXOjpdGqOgVwCXbxgzh2qchQojfcWW-4Awit0uWDONGIFqVUjYlU6Ze2XQ09Vvz241CncVw7-SmgBYl7kLty3QimaxKlaoGGdyEv1tvQjDnj-0Xh6KYWTsC8LcEXjKElNG7DhkTcu5SO6Jj1k3RmfWG0i3W3W738UAK2xik5xgIqUGvtZ4nJtbF6mLB8CYUOJo6PAZoAQVsIeV4Jtl8UeXOe1AS1WiVCGDn_VBh1w8kry0Vl1AJ5vc1478bH-tyEiqEyKfU9TJ8zvcQ8H4-8X3nUoChqWwO7mlp0cQ/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.jamsadr.com%2Fnews%2F2017%2Fus-ambassador-ret-david-huebner-joins-jams-as-an-international-arbitrator|title=U.S. Ambassador (Ret.) David Huebner Joins JAMS as an International Arbitrator}}

He is admitted as a Fellow of the London-based Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, serves on the Paris-based International Chamber of Commerce's Commission on Arbitration and ADR, and serves on the panels or lists of arbitrators of several arbitration institutions, including the International Center for Dispute Resolution, Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre, Shanghai International Arbitration Center, Kuala Lumpur Regional Center for Arbitration, World Intellectual Property Organization, American Arbitration Association, China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission, and JAMS.Sheppard Mullin Launches Shanghai Office | March 12, 2007 | http://www.sheppardmullin.com/press-releases-181.html {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131101175411/http://www.sheppardmullin.com/press-releases-181.html |date=2013-11-01 }}China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission | Panel of Arbitrators | May 1, 2008 | http://sccietac.org/cietac/admin/files/CIETAC%20Panel%20of%20Arbitrators.pdf {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131101213413/http://sccietac.org/cietac/admin/files/CIETAC%20Panel%20of%20Arbitrators.pdf |date=2013-11-01 }}

[https://archive.today/20140425224626/http://www.arnoldporter.com/professionals.cfm?action=view&id=6629 David Huebner's Practice Focus {{!}} Retrieved June 4th, 2015 {{!}}]

SHIAC Panel of Arbitrators | May 1st, 2015 | http://shiac.org/upload/201505/05/20150505220239478917.pdf {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303212451/http://shiac.org/upload/201505/05/20150505220239478917.pdf |date=2016-03-03 }}

He is the chairman of the Southern California chapter of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators.[https://archive.today/20140425224626/http://www.arnoldporter.com/professionals.cfm?action=view&id=6629 David Huebner's Practice Focus {{!}} Retrieved June 5th, 2015 {{!}}]

In 1999 Huebner was appointed to the California Law Revision Commission by Governor Gray Davis and was reappointed in 2005 by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. From 1999 to 2007 he taught full-semester courses in international law at the University of Southern California Gould School of Law. He has also served as an arbitrator for more than a decade at the annual Willem Vis International Commercial Arbitration Moot competitions in Hong Kong and Vienna.

File:Secretary Clinton forecourt.jpgIn October 2009, President Barack Obama nominated Huebner as U.S. Ambassador to New Zealand and Samoa, a post held by William McCormick until January 2009.{{cite news |last=Trevett |first=Claire |date=October 8, 2009 |title=Gay lawyer set to be next US ambassador to NZ |url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=10602029 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121021134218/http://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=10602029 |archive-date=October 21, 2012 |access-date=October 8, 2009 |work=The New Zealand Herald |publisher=nzherald.co.nz}} Huebner was confirmed by the U.S. Senate on November 20, 2009. Huebner, a Democrat, was the first openly gay ambassador in the Obama administration, and the third openly gay ambassador in U.S. history.{{cite news|url=https://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20091008/ap_on_go_pr_wh/us_obama_gay_ambassador |title=Obama picks openly gay lawyer for ambassadorship |last=Elliott |first=Philip |date=October 7, 2009 |agency=Associated Press |publisher=news.yahoo.com |access-date=October 8, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091010104726/http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20091008/ap_on_go_pr_wh/us_obama_gay_ambassador |archive-date=October 10, 2009 }}{{cite news | url=http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/10/07/obama-to-name-openly-gay-ambassador/ | title=Obama to Name Openly Gay Ambassador | last=Stolberg | first=Sheryl Gay | date=October 7, 2009 | work=The New York Times | access-date=October 8, 2009 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091009202016/http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/10/07/obama-to-name-openly-gay-ambassador/ | archive-date=October 9, 2009 | url-status=live }} He was the first LGBT ambassador in American history knowingly confirmed by the U.S. Senate.{{Cite web |url=http://history.nz.usembassy.gov/davidhuebner/bio/ |title=Bio | AMBASSADOR (Ret.) DAVID HUEBNER |access-date=2014-07-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140808164632/http://history.nz.usembassy.gov/davidhuebner/bio/ |archive-date=2014-08-08 |url-status=dead }} During his confirmation hearing before the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, Huebner introduced his partner of 20 years, Duane McWaine; the hearing was held on the couple's 20th wedding anniversary, which Huebner acknowledged in his remarks.{{cite news | url=http://news.asiaone.com/News/AsiaOne%2BNews/World/Story/A1Story20091106-178173.html | title=US envoy sees closer ties with NZealand | date=November 6, 2009 | work=Agence France-Presse | publisher=news.asiaone.com | access-date=November 21, 2009 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091114040224/http://news.asiaone.com/News/AsiaOne%2BNews/World/Story/A1Story20091106-178173.html | archive-date=November 14, 2009 | url-status=dead }} Huebner was sworn in as ambassador at the White House by Vice President Joseph Biden on December 4, 2009.

Separately accredited to New Zealand and Samoa, he has responsibility as well for U.S. relations with the small island nations of Cook Islands and Niue.The United States Diplomatic Mission to New Zealand | About Us page | http://newzealand.usembassy.gov/about-us.html {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110710170110/http://newzealand.usembassy.gov/about-us.html |date=2011-07-10 }} During his time as ambassador, Huebner reengineered his two embassies around youth outreach, whole-of-society engagement, expanding exchange programs, developing new approaches and tools of “21st Century Statecraft,” and identifying practical, mutually beneficial opportunities for bilateral and multilateral cooperation on economic, science/technology, political, security, and civil society projects.U.S. Ambassador to New Zealand Blog archive with aforementioned subject areas http://blogs.newzealand.usembassy.gov/ambassador/calendar-archive/ {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131028200849/http://blogs.newzealand.usembassy.gov/ambassador/calendar-archive/ |date=2013-10-28 }} In February 2013, The Sosaiete o Fa’afafine in American Samoa (S.O.I.F.A.S) hosted a welcoming event for Ambassador Huebner as a way of recognizing the role of human rights in the region raise awareness on "organizational issues"{{Cite web|title = SOFIAS host US Ambassador for Samoa and NZ|url = http://www.samoanews.com/node/72498|website = Samoa News|access-date = 2015-06-06|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150924094830/http://www.samoanews.com/node/72498|archive-date = 2015-09-24|url-status = dead}} (in Samoan culture, being transgender has traditionally been tolerated and celebrated, while homosexuality is illegal). During this visit, Ambassador Huebner was given an official shirt embroidered with the S.O.I.F.A.S logo that is currently available in the LGBT Collection at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History. The U.S. State Department and outside commentators have suggested that current relations between the United States and New Zealand are the best they have been in decades.[https://2009-2017.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/35852.htm U.S. Relations With New Zealand {{!}} Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190526202032/https://2009-2017.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/35852.htm |date=2019-05-26 }}, October 24, 2012.

Huebner hosted an unusually large number of visits by senior officials during his tenure as ambassador, including visits to New Zealand by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in 2010 (the first such visit to Wellington in a quarter century), Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano in 2012, Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta in 2012 (the first visit by a Secretary of Defense in more than 30 years), and Attorney General Eric Holder in 2013, as well as a visit to Cook Islands by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in 2012. During her 2010 visit to Wellington, Secretary Clinton and New Zealand Minister of Foreign Affairs Murray McCully signed the Wellington Declaration, reaffirming the historical ties between the U.S. and New Zealand and establishing a framework for renewed strategic partnership and practical cooperation.Full text of the Wellington Declaration | Fairfax Media | 04/11/2010 | http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/4309206/ During a visit to Washington in 2012, New Zealand Defence Minister Jonathan Coleman and Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta signed the Washington Declaration, reaffirming the two countries historical cooperation on security matters and setting a framework for renewed dialogue and practical collaboration in areas such as humanitarian and disaster relief and maritime security.Full text of the Washington Declaration | 19th June, 2012 | http://www.beehive.govt.nz/sites/all/files/WashingtonDeclaration.pdf{{Dead link|date=October 2022 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}

Huebner successfully advocated for a [https://web.archive.org/web/20131002060408/http://blogs.newzealand.usembassy.gov/ambassador/2012/12/2012-top-ten-continued/ Shiprider Joint Maritime Law Enforcement Agreement] between Samoa and the United States to assist Apia in enforcing its rights within its Exclusive Economic Zone.The United States and Samoa Cooperate to Protect Ocean Resources | 13th November 2012 | http://www.talamua.com/the-united-states-and-samoa-cooperate-to-protect-ocean-resources/ {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121124030750/http://www.talamua.com/the-united-states-and-samoa-cooperate-to-protect-ocean-resources/ |date=2012-11-24 }} He also hosted the Pacific Partnership mission in 2013, restructured Embassy Apia around civil society capacity building and economic development, and facilitated construction of a district medical center near Faleolo Airport by the U.S. Pacific Command.U.S. Navy Ship Pearl Harbor launches Pacific Partnership | 1st June 2013| http://www.talamua.com/u-s-navy-ship-pearl-harbor-visits-apia-samoa-to-launch-pacific-partnership-2013/ {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131108021029/http://www.talamua.com/u-s-navy-ship-pearl-harbor-visits-apia-samoa-to-launch-pacific-partnership-2013/ |date=2013-11-08 }}

Upon his arrival Huebner began forming student adviser groups at each university in New Zealand with whom he meets regularly.Connecting Young Leaders Conference | October 5, 2010 | http://blogs.newzealand.usembassy.gov/ambassador/2010/10/young-leaders-connected-2/ {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131031234207/http://blogs.newzealand.usembassy.gov/ambassador/2010/10/young-leaders-connected-2/ |date=2013-10-31 }} All of the adviser groups are brought together annually for a three-day Connecting Young Leaders Conference focused on leadership training, policy discussions, and networking. His student adviser program has been replicated in other jurisdictions.[https://2009-2017.state.gov/documents/organization/210126.pdf Youth Councils Worldwide] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190526202027/https://2009-2017.state.gov/documents/organization/210126.pdf |date=2019-05-26 }}, May 24, 2013 In 2013 he launched a similar annual Future Leaders of the Pacific Conference (FLP) to engage with young leaders under age 25 from the 17 nations of the Pacific Islands Forum.Radio New Zealand - Samoa News | 02/03/2013 American Samoa hosts future leaders of Pacific meeting | http://samoanews.com/?q=node/72362 {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131031171554/http://samoanews.com/?q=node%2F72362 |date=2013-10-31 }} The first FLP was held in Pago Pago, American Samoa.The Future Leaders gathering | Feb 4 2013 | http://www.eastwestcenter.org/events/future-leaders-the-pacific-trends-issues-and-opportunities-collective-regional-action {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029014129/http://www.eastwestcenter.org/events/future-leaders-the-pacific-trends-issues-and-opportunities-collective-regional-action |date=2013-10-29 }} The second FLP is scheduled for 2014 in Apia, Samoa.Future Leaders of the Pacific Convene in Pago Pago | February 20, 2013 | http://blogs.newzealand.usembassy.gov/ambassador/2013/02/future-leaders-of-the-pacific-convene-in-pago-pago/ {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131031233636/http://blogs.newzealand.usembassy.gov/ambassador/2013/02/future-leaders-of-the-pacific-convene-in-pago-pago/ |date=2013-10-31 }}

Other youth programs included establishing annual travel awards for top science students and social entrepreneurs, adding Samoa to the Fulbright scholarship program, supporting the Vex Robotics competitions in New Zealand, frequently teaching in local secondary schools, regularly lecturing in universities, sponsoring sports exchanges, adding students to the periodic U.S./N.Z. Partnership Forum, and hosting NASA's annual mobile apps competition (NASA Space Apps Challenge).Scoop NZ/AUT Media Release| Wednesday, 17 April 2013, 3:51 pm | NASA Space Apps Challenge launches in Auckland | http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/ED1304/S00112/nasa-space-apps-challenge-launches-in-auckland.htm {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131104150337/http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/ED1304/S00112/nasa-space-apps-challenge-launches-in-auckland.htm |date=2013-11-04 }} Under his leadership the Embassy organized and hosted in 2013 the inaugural USA Universities Expo in Auckland which drew representatives from 35 American institutions of higher education and more than 2,600 local attendees.Fairfax Media | Author NICOLE PRYOR | 19/09/2013 | US university roadshow in Auckland | http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/education/9186354/US-university-roadshow-in-Auckland {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131031162052/http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/education/9186354/US-university-roadshow-in-Auckland |date=2013-10-31 }}NZ Herald | Author Russell Blackstock | Sunday Sep 15, 2013 | Ivy League recruits Downunder | http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11124848 {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029063332/http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11124848 |date=2013-10-29 }}

Huebner restructured his Embassies to focus on whole-of-society and digital outreach. He launched new programs to engage indigenous peoples, the Pacific diaspora, faith communities, the LGBT community, veterans, and social entrepreneurs, and he revised Embassy invitation lists and events to reflect and include the full community.U.S. Ambassador's blog | Blog archive search Pacific | http://blogs.newzealand.usembassy.gov/ambassador/?s=Pacific {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303224125/http://blogs.newzealand.usembassy.gov/ambassador/?s=Pacific |date=2016-03-03 }}U.S. Ambassador's blog | LGBT archive search | http://blogs.newzealand.usembassy.gov/ambassador/?s=lgbt {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304042536/http://blogs.newzealand.usembassy.gov/ambassador/?s=lgbt |date=2016-03-04 }}

Huebner also retooled Embassy Wellington into a test for the State Department's cyber-diplomacy and 21st Century Statecraft initiatives. In 2010 he launched one of the first [http://www.davidhuebner.com/ ambassador blogs] and significantly expanded his Embassies’ social media platforms. In 2013 he built a digital recording and broadcast studio in Embassy Wellington.US Embassy New Zealand website | March 2013 | The Digital Studio | http://newzealand.usembassy.gov/digital_studio.html {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131031000026/http://newzealand.usembassy.gov/digital_studio.html |date=2013-10-31 }} Under his leadership, Embassy Wellington in 2012 conceived and then partnered with the Auckland University of Technology and [http://socialmedianz.com/ Social Media NZ] to host the inaugural [http://the-project.co.nz/ Project (R)evolution conference], which drew more than 200 digital thinkers from New Zealand, the United States, and elsewhere to discuss the status and future of digital communications and internet-driven change.NBR | Chris Keall | Monday September 03, 2012 | Obama's social media guru has advice for Twitter tryhards | http://www.nbr.co.nz/opinion/obamas-social-media-guru-has-advice-twitter-tryhards {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131101013403/http://www.nbr.co.nz/opinion/obamas-social-media-guru-has-advice-twitter-tryhards |date=2013-11-01 }} The next Project conference was scheduled for May 2014.AUT | Dr Jeffery Cole at AUT University on 19th November 2013 | http://www.aut.ac.nz/study-at-aut/study-areas/communications/beyond-the-classroom/news-and-events/the-project {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131031173447/http://www.aut.ac.nz/study-at-aut/study-areas/communications/beyond-the-classroom/news-and-events/the-project |date=2013-10-31 }}

Huebner has been a generous benefactor of youth literacy and education programs including the Mahanoy City Public Library.republiccanherald.com | January 9, 2010 | | John E. Usalis | http://republicanherald.com/news/mahanoy-students-donate-rug-to-library-1.534086 {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131113055550/http://republicanherald.com/news/mahanoy-students-donate-rug-to-library-1.534086 |date=2013-11-13 }} He currently sits as honorary chairperson of [http://www.fulbright.org.nz Fulbright New Zealand], a trustee of the [https://web.archive.org/web/20131031141009/http://www.nzaht.org/AHT/ New Zealand Antarctic Heritage Trust], and patron for the [http://amcham.co.nz/ American Chamber of Commerce].Fulbright New Zealand | Board | Retrieved October 30, 2013 | http://www.fulbright.org.nz/about/board/ {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131031111243/http://www.fulbright.org.nz/about/board/ |date=2013-10-31 }}Trustees, Patrons & Staff at Antarctic Heritage Trust New Zealand | Retrieved October 30, 2013 | {{cite web |url=http://www.nzaht.org/AHT/patrons/ |title=Trustees, Patrons & Staff at Antarctic Heritage Trust New Zealand |access-date=2013-10-29 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131019045955/http://www.nzaht.org/AHT/patrons/ |archive-date=2013-10-19 }}American Chamber of Commerce in New Zealand Inc. | About Us | Retrieved October 30, 2013 | http://amcham.co.nz/Default.aspx?pageId=1292745 {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130206181836/http://amcham.co.nz/Default.aspx?pageId=1292745 |date=2013-02-06 }} He was a founding member of the Los Angeles Committee on Foreign Relations and was active in the Los Angeles World Affairs Council and the Pacific Council on International Policy.Members - In the News - Pacific Council on International Policy | Retrieved October 30, 2013 | http://www.pacificcouncil.org/membersinthenews {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131031133833/http://www.pacificcouncil.org/membersinthenews |date=2013-10-31 }} He served as a founding national board member, co-chair, and general counsel of the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) and as a member of the board of the Los Angeles Gay & Lesbian Center.GLAAD WELCOMES NEW BOARD CO-CHAIRS GENE FALK AND STEVEN J. WEISSMAN TAKE ON ROLES AFTER SUCCESSFUL NATIONAL TRANSITION | November 25, 1997 | http://www.qrd.org/qrd/orgs/GLAAD/1997/welcomes.new.board.cochairs-11.25.97 {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130502220452/http://www.qrd.org/qrd/orgs/GLAAD/1997/welcomes.new.board.cochairs-11.25.97 |date=2013-05-02 }}

In 1994 he was appointed by the city council to the Los Angeles Quality & Productivity Commission, where he served as president.Coudert Brothers LLP | David Huebner - Chairman | Retrieved October 30, 2013 | http://careerinsider.vault.com/images/pdf/3035/1632.pdf {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131031144709/http://careerinsider.vault.com/images/pdf/3035/1632.pdf |date=2013-10-31 }} In 1999 Huebner was appointed to the California Law Revision Commission by Governor Gray DavisCoudert Brothers' Partner Nominated to California Law Revision Commission | PR Newswire | Retrieved October 30, 2013| http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/coudert-brothers-partner-nominated-to-california-law-revision-commission-77616967.html {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131031034510/http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/coudert-brothers-partner-nominated-to-california-law-revision-commission-77616967.html |date=2013-10-31 }} and was reappointed in 2005 by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, serving several terms as chairman. He served as a staff counsel to the Independent Commission on the Los Angeles Police Department, formed after the Rodney King incident.{{cite book |last=Christopher |first=Warren |year=1991 |title=Report of the Independent Commission on the Los Angeles Police Department |location=Los Angeles |publisher=The Commission}} He served on California Governor Gray Davis’ Judicial Selection Advisory Committee.{{Cite web |url=http://www.linkedin.com/in/dhuebner |title=David Huebner | LinkedIn |access-date=2013-11-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110314193232/http://www.linkedin.com/in/dhuebner |archive-date=2011-03-14 |url-status=live }}

He has a particular interest in education and literacy efforts. For many years he has supported the public library in his hometown of Mahanoy City, and he was recently awarded the key to the City in recognition of his efforts. From 1999 to 2007 he taught full-semester courses in international law at the University of Southern California Gould School of Law and has lectured and led seminars in other universities in China, New Zealand, and the United States.Ambassador | Embassy of the United States | United States Diplomatic Mission to New Zealand | Retrieved October 30, 2013 | http://newzealand.usembassy.gov/ambassador.html {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131031151216/http://newzealand.usembassy.gov/ambassador.html |date=2013-10-31 }}

Huebner was elected to life membership in the Council on Foreign Relations in 2015.CFR membership roster | Retrieved June 5th, 2015 | http://www.cfr.org/about/membership/roster.html?letter=H {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150626141454/http://www.cfr.org/about/membership/roster.html?letter=H |date=2015-06-26 }}

He currently serves on the board of the Pacific Council on International Policy,{{Cite web |url=https://www.pacificcouncil.org/about/leadership/board |title=Our Leadership |date=8 September 2015 |access-date=2016-04-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160427010309/https://www.pacificcouncil.org/about/leadership/board |archive-date=2016-04-27 |url-status=live }} Founder Council of the Williams Institute at the University of California, Los Angeles, School of Law,The Williams Institute Founders Council | Retrieved June 5th, 2015 | http://williamsinstitute.law.ucla.edu/founders-council/ {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150908210239/http://williamsinstitute.law.ucla.edu/founders-council/ |date=2015-09-08 }} the executive committee of the Asia Society of Southern California,Asia Society Board Member | Retrieved June 5th, 2015 | http://asiasociety.org/southern-california/our-board {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150803103536/http://asiasociety.org/southern-california/our-board |date=2015-08-03 }} and the boards of the Swiss International Law School,SiLS Advisory Board roster | Retrieved June 5th, 2015 | http://www.swissintlawschool.org/about-sils/advisory-board/ {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150701123428/http://www.swissintlawschool.org/about-sils/advisory-board/ |date=2015-07-01 }} Yale Center for Environmental Law & Policy,Yale Center for Environmental Law & Policy External Board of Advisers | Retrieved June 5th, 2015 | {{cite web |url=http://envirocenter.yale.edu/people-partners/external-board-of-advisors |title=Yale Center for Environmental Law & Policy - External Board of Advisors |access-date=2012-07-03 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120608131749/http://envirocenter.yale.edu/people-partners/external-board-of-advisors |archive-date=2012-06-08 }} Princeton AlumniCorps,{{Cite web |url=https://home.alumnicorps.org/?page_id=117 |title=Board of Directors | AlumniCorps |access-date=2016-04-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160424024708/https://home.alumnicorps.org/?page_id=117 |archive-date=2016-04-24 |url-status=live }} USC Annenberg Center for Public Diplomacy,USC Center on Public Diplomacy Advisory Board | Retrieved June 5th, 2015 | http://uscpublicdiplomacy.org/about/cpd_advisory_board {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150605194623/http://uscpublicdiplomacy.org/about/cpd_advisory_board |date=2015-06-05 }} and Franklin Delano Roosevelt Foundation.FDR Foundation Global Citizen Conference | Retrieved June 5th, 2015 | http://www.fdrsuite.org/wintersession2014/ {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141014074523/http://www.fdrsuite.org/wintersession2014/ |date=2014-10-14 }}

The communications industry professional association Public Affairs Asia awarded him and his team the {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20131031093232/http://www.publicaffairsasia.net/goldstandard/ Gold Standard Award]}} for Social Media Communications at its annual awards event in Singapore in 2012.The Gold Standard Awards 2011 : Guide to the award winners, commended & shortlisted entries | Page 16 | http://www.publicaffairsasia.net/winners_guide2011.pdf {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131031093055/http://www.publicaffairsasia.net/winners_guide2011.pdf |date=2013-10-31 }}

On August 24, 2013, Huebner served as Grand Marshal at celebrations of the 150th anniversary of the founding of his hometown of Mahanoy City. For his public service and his support of the public library he was awarded the key to the city by the Mayor.Grand Marshal named for Schuylkill Co. Firefighters Convention Parade | Times News | August 13, 2013 | http://www.tnonline.com/2013/aug/13/grand-marshal-named-schuylkill-co-firefighters-convention-parade {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131031111306/http://www.tnonline.com/2013/aug/13/grand-marshal-named-schuylkill-co-firefighters-convention-parade |date=2013-10-31 }}Sesquicentennial parade draws hundreds to borough | Republican Herald | Stephen J. Pytak | August 25, 2013 | http://republicanherald.com/news/sesquicentennial-parade-draws-hundreds-to-borough-1.1541655 {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131031114721/http://republicanherald.com/news/sesquicentennial-parade-draws-hundreds-to-borough-1.1541655 |date=2013-10-31 }}

On October 20, 2013, Huebner and his spouse Dr. Duane McWaine were honored by GABA (Gay Auckland Business Association) at a black-tie dinner in recognition of their whole-of-society engagement and contributions to the LGBT community in New Zealand.Ambassador's send-off a cracker auction | Gaynz.com | October 21, 2013 | http://www.gaynz.com/articles/publish/2/article_14076.php {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131101004649/http://www.gaynz.com/articles/publish/2/article_14076.php |date=2013-11-01 }}

On October 25, 2013, the Royal Society of New Zealand awarded him an Illuminated Scroll for his efforts in promoting science and technology collaboration and education.Twitter | October 24, 2013 | https://twitter.com/royalsocietynz/status/393463978443030528 {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131104113105/https://twitter.com/royalsocietynz/status/393463978443030528 |date=2013-11-04 }}David Huebner | LinkedIn | http://linkedin.com/in/dhuebner {{Webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20131031013805/http://linkedin.com/in/dhuebner |date=2013-10-31 }}

On October 30, 2013, Huebner was made a Fellow of the Auckland University of Technology Faculty of Business and Law in recognition of his commitment to higher education and student achievement. AUT's Vice-Chancellor, Derek McCormack, presented the award at a reception held at Auckland's Mackelvie Gallery.Twitter | October 29, 2013 | https://twitter.com/SarahTrotmannz/status/395429901706096640 {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131104113330/https://twitter.com/SarahTrotmannz/status/395429901706096640 |date=2013-11-04 }}US Embassy New Zealand | October 31 | http://newzealand.usembassy.gov/fellowship.html {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131102062201/http://newzealand.usembassy.gov/fellowship.html |date=2013-11-02 }}

On August 19, 2014, Huebner's diplomatic passport, his spouse Dr. McWaine's diplomatic passport, and other artifacts of his time as ambassador to New Zealand and Samoa were taken by the Smithsonian Institution into its permanent collection of American history.{{Cite web |url=http://www.fox19.com/story/26312830/smithsonian-adds-lgbt-history-to-museum-collection |title=Smithsonian adds LGBT history to museum collection - Cincinnati News, FOX19-WXIX TV |access-date=2014-08-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140903062609/http://www.fox19.com/story/26312830/smithsonian-adds-lgbt-history-to-museum-collection |archive-date=2014-09-03 |url-status=dead }}{{Cite web |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/wireStory/smithsonian-adds-lgbt-history-museum-collection-25032540 |title=Smithsonian Adds LGBT History to Museum Collection - ABC News |website=ABC News |access-date=2020-06-27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140828142930/http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/wireStory/smithsonian-adds-lgbt-history-museum-collection-25032540 |archive-date=2014-08-28 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/08/19/smithsonian-lgbt-history-museum_n_5690565.html |title=HuffPost - Breaking News, U.S. And World News |website=HuffPost |access-date=2020-02-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304123809/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/08/19/smithsonian-lgbt-history-museum_n_5690565.html |archive-date=2016-03-04 |url-status=live }}

In 2015 he was invited to deliver the 7th Annual Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial Lecture at Harvard's Adams House and the 10th Annual Robert I. Weil Lecture by the Los Angeles County Bar Association.{{Cite web |url=http://fdrfoundation.org/PAGESSUITE/blog/?p=3292 |title=Upcoming Events, Including the 7th Annual FDR Memorial Lecture | the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Foundation @ Adams House |access-date=2016-04-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160425230740/http://fdrfoundation.org/PAGESSUITE/blog/?p=3292 |archive-date=2016-04-25 |url-status=dead }}{{Cite web |url=https://www.scmediation.org/event/10th-annual-robert-weil-lecture/ |title=10th Annual Robert I. Weil Lecture - Southern California Mediation Association | SCMA |access-date=2016-04-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160421222935/https://www.scmediation.org/event/10th-annual-robert-weil-lecture/ |archive-date=2016-04-21 |url-status=live }}

In 2016 the Secretary of the Navy awarded Huebner the U.S. Navy's Distinguished Public Service Award for his humanitarian and security work as ambassador.{{Cite web |url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/taranaki-daily-news/news/national/88350531/US-ambassador-drops-epic-selfie-video-to-say-goodbye-to-New-Zealand |title=US ambassador drops epic selfie video to say goodbye to New Zealand |date=12 January 2017 |access-date=2017-03-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170313123306/http://www.stuff.co.nz/taranaki-daily-news/news/national/88350531/US-ambassador-drops-epic-selfie-video-to-say-goodbye-to-New-Zealand |archive-date=2017-03-13 |url-status=live }}

• Embassy of the United States in Wellington
• List of LGBT ambassadors of the United States

{{reflist|30em}}

{{Commons category|David Huebner}}

• [https://web.archive.org/web/20100228034654/http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/biog/133312.htm David Huebner's biography], by the U.S. State Department
• [http://blogs.newzealand.usembassy.gov/ambassador/ David Huebner's blog] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110628024229/http://blogs.newzealand.usembassy.gov/ambassador/ |date=2011-06-28 }}, via newzealand.usembassy.gov
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20091210173840/http://newzealand.usembassy.gov/index.html Embassy of the United States – New Zealand] official website
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20091205171355/http://samoa.usembassy.gov/ Embassy of the United States – Samoa] official website
• [http://foreign.senate.gov/testimony/2009/HuebnerTestimony091105p.pdf Written Statement of David Huebner] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120225170455/http://www.foreign.senate.gov/testimony/2009/HuebnerTestimony091105p.pdf |date=2012-02-25 }}, testimony before the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations

{{s-start}}

{{s-dip}}

{{succession box|title=United States Ambassador to New Zealand|before=William McCormick|after=Mark Gilbert|years=Also accredited to Samoa
2009–2014}}

{{s-end}}

{{US Ambassadors to New Zealand}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Huebner, David}}

Category:1960 births

Category:Living people

Category:Ambassadors of the United States to New Zealand

Category:Ambassadors of the United States to Samoa

Category:American civil rights lawyers

Category:American law firm executives

Category:American legal scholars

Category:American gay men

Category:California Democrats

Category:Educators from California

Category:California lawyers

Category:Gay diplomats

Category:Obama administration personnel

Category:People from Mahanoy City, Pennsylvania

Category:University of Southern California faculty

Category:Princeton School of Public and International Affairs alumni

Category:Yale Law School alumni

Category:LGBTQ ambassadors of the United States

Category:LGBTQ people from Pennsylvania

Category:21st-century American diplomats

Category:Arnold & Porter people

Category:21st-century American LGBTQ people