Former U.S. Ambassador to Hungary and U.S. Ambassador to the UN Security Council; Founding Executive Director of The Clooney Foundation for Justice
Ambassador David Pressman: Biography at a Glance
- Ambassador David Pressman is one of the world’s leading human rights advocates, representing clients in disputes with authoritarian governments, including hostages held overseas and victims of terrorism.
- A two-time United States Ambassador, he has spent his career at the center of high-stakes diplomacy — from confronting illiberalism to negotiating global security crises at the U.N. Security Council.
- His work reveals how modern authoritarianism functions in practice through fear, information control, and the quiet erosion of democratic norms. His talks unpack these tactics and what they mean for institutions, alliances, and leaders under pressure.
- In leadership positions at the Clooney Foundation for Justice and Not On Our Watch, he has built cross-sector partnerships that combine public visibility, legal strategy, and private-sector mobilization to deliver results in complex settings.
- Ambassador Pressman speaks to organizations navigating uncertainty and geopolitical complexity, offering an unfiltered look at how power is used against the vulnerable and illustrating how to stand firm against it.
Videos
Biography
Two-time United States Ambassador David Pressman has been described as “one of the world’s leading human rights advocates” (CNN), a “brilliant orator” (Le Monde), and a “high-profile diplomat” (The Guardian).
A national security lawyer who represents clients in existential disputes with governments and strongmen, Ambassador Pressman’s clients have included hostages held overseas, victims of terrorism seeking justice through U.S. courts, and clients embroiled in some of the most consequential Congressional investigations in American history.
As United States Ambassador to Hungary, Pressman led U.S. diplomacy in Europe with one of the United States’ most challenging allies while a land war raged next door. 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.
At the White House, Pressman’s work led to the first Presidential directive banning human rights abusers from entering the United States; the first Presidential directive creating a standing body responsible for the early prevention of mass atrocities; the first White House body devoted to finding and bringing priority international war criminals to justice; and, mobilized U.S. efforts leading to the successful adoption of the first United Nations resolution in history recognizing lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender rights as human rights.
Referred to as the “consigliere” to some of the world’s most famous people (Los Angeles Times), Ambassador Pressman co-founded the human rights organization Not On Our Watch with George Clooney, Brad Pitt, and Matt Damon. He also launched and led George and Amal Clooney’s family foundation, the Clooney Foundation for Justice.
Topics
Authoritarianism, Illiberalism, and Hope
Ambassador Pressman addresses the rising tide of illiberalism from the unique vantage point of the Ambassador who took on Viktor Orban. In his presentation, Ambassador Pressman addresses the confrontation between authoritarianism and democracy. He lays out what is necessary to grapple with a new kind of authoritarianism — one that doesn’t need secret police, guns, or gulags, but manages to instill fear and exercise inordinate control nonetheless. Told from the perspective of someone who spent years representing the United States in Viktor Orban’s Hungary, years representing the United States in high-stakes negotiations with Russia and China at the United Nations Security Council, and years leading global human rights campaigns, two-time U.S. ambassador David Pressman speaks about organizations and individuals under pressure, confronting illiberal leaders, and making space for principled actors to reclaim control in difficult circumstances.
His remarks speak to universities, corporations, and organizations that never imagined living in an illiberal country yet find themselves experiencing firsthand what it is like to live under pressure.
Russia, China, and the European Union: Driving Change When Change Is Hard
Having spent years locked in a room with senior Russian and Chinese officials, tasked with negotiating sensitive issues of international peace and security, Ambassador Pressman brings audiences behind the curtain of American statecraft and tense global negotiations. With a special emphasis on Moscow, Beijing, Budapest, and Brussels, two-time U.S. Ambassador David Pressman challenges audiences to consider how best to make change when change is hard through a vivid account of complex negotiations with Russia, China, and our European Union partners.
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FAQs
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How to contact Ambassador David Pressman for speaking engagements?
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Is Ambassador David Pressman available for virtual speaking events?
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Ambassador David Pressman booking information and availability
Check Ambassador David Pressman's speaking availability through CAA Speakers at speakers@caa.com. Book 3-6 months in advance for best date selection during peak seasons (September-November, March-May).
Availability factors:- Event date and location
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Include complete event details (date, location, audience size, budget) for fastest response times.
How far in advance should I book Ambassador David Pressman?
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Recommended booking timeline:- 3-6 months: Optimal availability and pricing
- 2-3 months: Good availability
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