Colleen P. Graffy

   Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy

   Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs

Colleen Graffy’s interest in environmental issues was first stirred when a major oil spill devastated the coastline of her home town, Santa Barbara, California.   The devastation she witnessed was a contributing factor in her decision to study for a Master’s in Law specializing in international environmental law, a subject she then taught as a law professor at Pepperdine University’s campus in London, England.  Ms Graffy has a particular interest in water issues and has written on conflict management of international riparian disputes for the Georgetown International Environmental Law Review.

In her present position as Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs, Ms. Graffy oversees public diplomacy and public affairs programs and has introduced “Environmental Diplomacy” as part of the outreach program for US Embassies in her Bureau.

Ms. Graffy joined the US State Department in September 2005.  Prior to her current position, she was the Academic Director and Associate Professor of Law at the London Law Program for Pepperdine University School of Law.  She earned her BA from Pepperdine University and her MA from Boston University.  She then served as co-director of Pepperdine’s Year-in-Europe program in Heidelberg, Germany. 

After completing a Diploma in Law in London and attending the Inns of Court School of Law, Ms Graffy was called to the Bar of England and Wales as a Barrister of the Middle Temple.  As academic director of the London Program, she was in charge of the London Moot and Clinical Program and taught International Public Law, International Environmental Law, International Law, and the Use of Force and Legal Ethics.

Ms. Graffy is a member of the International Institute for Strategic Studies, The Royal Institute of International Affairs, The British Institute of International and Comparative Law, The Pilgrims, and The British American Project and was Chairman of the Society of English and American Lawyers.  She is a Bencher at the Middle Temple.   

Deputy Assistant Secretary Graffy has written on legal issues for British and American publications and is a frequent commentator for radio and television on transatlantic political, legal, and cultural issues.

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