Contact Information: CONTACT: Guy Halgren (619) 338-6605 Ralph Richardson (213) 617-5542
Former Sheppard Mullin Shanghai Managing Partner Appointed U.S. Ambassador to New Zealand and Samoa
David Huebner Named First Openly Gay Ambassador by Obama, First Ever Confirmed by Senate; Shanghai Partner Todd Bissett Named New Office Managing Partner
| Source: Sheppard Mullin
LOS ANGELES, CA--(Marketwire - December 8, 2009) - David Huebner, former managing partner of
Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP's Shanghai office, was sworn in
Friday as U.S. ambassador to New Zealand and the Independent State of
Samoa. Partner Todd Bissett succeeds Huebner as the managing partner of
the firm's Shanghai office.
"We are very proud of David as the first Sheppard Mullin attorney to be
named United States ambassador. He was invaluable in launching and growing
our Shanghai office and we will miss him greatly," said Guy Halgren,
chairman of the firm. "As the first openly gay ambassador named by Obama
and the first in U.S. history confirmed by the Senate, David is also a
trailblazer. We celebrate his achievement."
Halgren continued, "We also congratulate Todd, who is taking over the
leadership role in Shanghai. He is eminently qualified to pick up the
mantle from David, as Todd has practiced as a China specialist for his
entire career."
"I am deeply honored to represent our country as ambassador to New Zealand
and Samoa, although I do regret saying goodbye to my colleagues at the
firm, whom I consider the best in the business and a pleasure to know,"
Huebner said. "I turn the reigns of the Shanghai office and the firm's
China practice over to Todd, who I am confident will be an effective and
insightful leader."
"Sheppard Mullin is truly fortunate in its strong and broad platform, deep
pool of talent, and amazing client base, and I am excited about the
opportunities that lie ahead for us," Bissett said. "I look forward to
continue working with Guy, the Shanghai attorneys, and our China team as we
help position the office for even greater success in the future."
While at Sheppard Mullin, Huebner specialized in international arbitration
and mediation. He has significant experience handling disputes in the
Pacific Rim region. Previously, Huebner was a long-time partner and served
as chairman at Coudert Brothers. While a resident in California, he
chaired the California Law Revision Commission, served as president of the
Los Angeles Quality & Productivity Commission, and taught courses in
international business and intellectual property at the University of
Southern California's Gould School of Law.
Huebner has also guest lectured on international topics at several schools
in the United States and abroad, and is licensed both as a solicitor in
England & Wales and as an attorney in three U.S. jurisdictions. He has been
active in non-profits, community organizations, and professional
associations such as the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, International
Chamber of Commerce Commission on Arbitration, Los Angeles Committee on
Foreign Relations, and Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD).
A native of Pennsylvania, he is a summa cum laude graduate of Princeton
University, where he majored at the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and
International Affairs. Huebner is also a graduate of Yale Law School.
Bissett is a partner in the firm's Corporate practice group. Prior to
joining Sheppard Mullin, he practiced in O'Melveny & Myers' China offices.
Bissett practices in the areas of private equity and venture capital,
equity and debt financing, mergers and acquisitions, cross-border
transactions and general corporate and business law. He has advised
clients in various industries, including telecommunications and value-added
services, infrastructure projects, education, semiconductors, financial
services, software and medical products and services. Bissett received a
J.D., magna cum laude and Order of the Coif, from Georgetown University and
a B.A. from McGill University, Canada.
About Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP
Sheppard Mullin is a full service AmLaw 100 firm with more 550 attorneys in
11 offices located in the United States and Asia. Since 1927, companies
have turned to Sheppard Mullin to handle corporate and technology matters,
high stakes litigation and complex financial transactions. In the U.S.,
the firm's clients include more than half of the Fortune 100. For more
information, please visit www.sheppardmullin.com.