Michael Posner is the Jerome Kohlberg Professor of Ethics and Finance at NYU’s Stern School of Business and the Director of the Center for Business and Human Rights at the School, the first-ever human rights center at a business school.
Previously, Michael served in the Obama Administration as Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor and prior to that he was President of Human Rights First. Earlier in his career, Michael was a lawyer with Sonnenschein, Nath & Rosenthal. He is recognized as a leader and expert in advancing a rights-based approach to national security, challenging the practice of torture, combating discrimination and refugee protection. He is a frequent public commentator on these issues and has testified dozens of times before U.S. Congress.
His philanthropic work includes serving as a Board Member of Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights and throughout his career he has been a prominent voice in support of human rights protections, in global business operations in the manufacturing supply chain, the extractives industry and the information and communications technology sector. He helped found the Fair Labor Association, was a Founding Member of the Global Network Initiative and has spoken widely on the issue of internet freedom. Michael spearheaded the U.S. Government's efforts to enhance the effectiveness of the Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights and played a key role in proposing and campaigning for the first U.S. law providing for political asylum, as well as the Torture Victim Protection Act.
Michael lectured at Yale Law School, at one time teaching with former Dean Harold Koh. He was a visiting lecturer at Columbia University Law School, is a Member of the California Bar and the Illinois Bar.
Jerome Kohlberg Professor of Ethics & Finance, Director of the Center for Business & Human Rights
New York, NY, USA
New York University's Leonard N. Stern School of Business is one America's premier management education schools and research centers. NYU Stern offers a broad portfolio of academic programs at graduate and undergraduate levels.
Human Rights First is a non-profit, nonpartisan international human rights organization with offices in New York and Washington, D.C. that works on a range of domestic and international human rights issues.
Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor, Obama Administration
2009 - 2013
Washington, DC, USA
As Assistant Secretary, Posner traveled extensively, representing the U.S. Government to foreign officials and representatives of civil society in countries of strategic importance to the United States, including China, Egypt, Russia, Burma, Bahrain, Nigeria, Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Columbia Law School is renowned for the intellectual rigor of its curriculum and the scholarship of its faculty which offers J.D., LL.M. and J.S.D. programs.
Yale Law School is one of the world’s premier law schools. It offers an unmatched environment of excellence & educational intimacy in a world renowned faculty, with small classes, opportunities for clinical training and strong encouragement of public service.
Sonnenschein, Nath & Rosenthal LLP
Lawyer
Chicago, IL, USA
Sonnenschein Nath & Rosenthal LLP was an international law firm, founded in 1906, with nearly 800 lawyers and other professionals in the U.S. and Europe, serving businesses, non-profits and individuals.
Global Network Initiative, was launched in 2008 to address how technology companies can best respect the rights of their users. It is a multi-stakeholder initiative aimed at promoting free expression and privacy rights on the Internet.
The State Bar of California’s mission is to protect the public. It includes the primary functions of licensing, regulation & discipline of attorneys, the advancement of the ethical and competent practice of law and support for greater access to and inclusion in the legal system.
The Illinois State Bar Association was founded in 1877 and is the premier legal association in the state. As a voluntary organization, the Association's primary focus is to assist Illinois lawyers in the practice of law & to promote improvements in the administration of justice.
Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights, founded in 1968, is led by human rights activist and lawyer Kerry Kennedy and advocates for a more just and peaceful world. Working alongside local activists to ensure lasting positive change in governments and corporations, the RFK team includes leading attorneys, advocates, entrepreneurs and writers united by a commitment to social justice.
As a member of the White House Apparel Industry Partnership Task Force, Michael helped found the Fair Labor Association (FLA), an organization that brings together corporations, local leaders, universities, and NGOs to promote corporate accountability for working conditions in the apparel industry.
