David E. Birenbaum ’59

David E. Birenbaum ’59, of Washington, D.C.; Jun. 18. He was a renowned lawyer known for his groundbreaking work in international law and his influential role as the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations for U.N. Management and Reform.  His career began with a federal clerkship in Hartford before moving to Washington, D.C. In 1968, he joined the landmark Kerner Commission established by President Lyndon B. Johnson to study the causes of racial riots. As assistant general counsel, he played a role in organizing hearings and contributing to the report’s sections on education and urban policy. During his career he lectured at the University of Pennsylvania Law School on international trade law and served as an adjunct professor at Georgetown University Law Center. He served as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations for U.N. Management and Reform during the Clinton Administration, working on proposals to reform the institution while building relationships with ambassadors from various nations. Upon leaving the U.N. in 1996, he created and chaired the Emergency Coalition for U.S. Financial Support of the United Nations. He had been a longtime partner at Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson, specializing in international trade and investment law, and retired from the partnership in 2000. Throughout his career, he took multiple leaves of absence to work on Democratic campaigns and political assignments. He authored several publications in reference to the United Nations and served in various positions on numerous boards. He was an avid traveler and Nationals fan. He enjoyed the opera, reading, and dancing with his wife, the Hon. Vanessa Ruiz. He is survived by Ruiz; a daughter; son Matthew ’87; a daughter-in-law; stepdaughter Alexia Elejalde-Ruiz ’01; four grandchildren; and a brother and sister-in-law.