Former JFK aide Sorensen to speak Tuesday at law school

FEB. 3, 2010 - Ted Sorensen, former special counsel to President John F. Kennedy, will present a speech, "A Life at the Edge of History," at noon Feb. 23 to students at the Charleston School of Law.

UPDATE Mr. Sorensen will sign copies of his latest book, Counselor: A Life at the Edge of History, at 11:30 a.m., 30 minutes before his Professionalism Series talk at the Music Hall is slated to begin.  He also will sign books, which will be available for purchase, at 3 p.m. in the school's 81 Mary Street building.

"We are extremely fortunate to be able to host an attorney of Ted Sorensen's international stature," said Dean Andy Abrams.  "Having our students able to listen to him discuss the lessons he's learned throughout his exciting legal career will inspire them to give back to our community and nation."

Sorensen, a widely published author on the presidency and foreign affairs, was one of Kennedy's closest advisers during the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis.  He now practices law with the prominent U.S. law firm of Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP.  A former chairman of the firm's International Practice Committee, he has represented U.S. and multinational corporations in negotiations with governments all over the world.  He has advised and assisted a large number of foreign governments and government leaders, ranging from the late President Sadat of Egypt to former President Mandela of South Africa.  In 2008, Sorensen published his memoirs, Counselor:  A Life at the Edge of History.

Sorensen's speech, part of the school's Professionalism Series, will be held at the Charleston Music Hall at 37 John Street.  While most of the events of the series are open only to students, the Sorenson speech is open to the public on a space-available basis.  To reserve a spot, please send an e-mail to:   rsvp_csol@charlestonlaw.edu  

Also this spring, the school will offer other speeches and panels focusing on legal professionalism:

• Feb. 9, 5 p.m., Professionalism Series: "Professionalism and the Criminal Bar" with 9th Circuit Solicitor Scarlett Wilson and attorney Frank McCann. Location: Charleston Music Hall, 37 John Street.
• March 18, 5 p.m., Professionalism Series: "35 Years of Professionalism" with S.C. Supreme Court Justice Kaye Hearn and attorneys William C. Hubbard, R. Allen Young and Edward Westbrook. Location: 360 Meeting St.
• March 30, noon, Professionalism Series: "The Worst Jury Argument I Ever Made" with Charleston School of Law Chairman Alex Sanders. Location: 360 Meeting St.
• April 8, noon, Professionalism Series: "Why Lawyers Stumble" with attorney Lesley M. Coggiola. Location 360 Meeting St.

CONTACT:                                 Andy Brack at 843.670.3996 or news@charlestonlaw.edu