State Dept top attorney has only 4 years experience practicing law

[Tanuki]

https://www.justsecurity.org/64542/marik-string-appointed-acting-state-departments-top-lawyer/

..."As of May 24, String heads the Office of Legal Adviser and is now the voice of international law for the United States. The Legal Adviser is also responsible for conducting all of the functions of a General Counsel’s office (including managing about two dozen sub-offices) for one of the largest federal departments, with operations and employees across the globe.

“The obvious question is whether someone of his experience has the stature to manage the world’s most high-powered international law firm and the backbone to give fearless and independent legal advice to our current President, National Security Adviser and Secretary of State,” another former senior State Department official told Just Security.

Or, as another former senior State Department official put it, “The idea that someone so few years out of law school, and not even practicing law for all that time, is in the office occupied by people like Abe Chayes—it’s absurd on its face. The only reason you’d do it is to undermine the institution.”

A fourth former senior State Department official told Just Security:

The State Department’s Legal Adviser is expected to have legal knowledge and expertise on the entire range of international law issues, from the laws of armed conflict to private international law to human rights to international environmental law. Seeing prior Legal Advisers in action–regardless of which party appointed the Secretary of State–was like watching an international law encyclopedia come to life. It’s hard to imagine someone so inexperienced filling these shoes.

Bera pressed Cooper on whether String’s possible involvement in the arms deal played any role in his promotion.

“Was Mr. String promoted to this position because of his work on the Gulf arm sales,” Bera asked.

Mr. Cooper replied, “No.”

“Did his promotion have any connection to work on these Gulf arm sales?”

“Not that I’m aware of,” Cooper answered. “I would say his promotion to that position was based on his merit, his performance, and his ability to do the job.”

“Who would know the justification of that promotion?”

“I honestly don’t know.”

Watch this space."

[tblue37]

1. K&R for visibility. nt

[Bernardo de La Paz]

2. How many years of boot-licking experience?

[RainCaster]

3. I'm surprised the DFT didn't appoint Peewee Herman to that position

[UTUSN]

4. K&R