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John J. Sullivan

Litigation & Dispute Resolution, Public Policy, Regulatory & Government Affairs, International Trade

John's book is "...a must read for business leaders, as it provides a gripping, first-hand account of navigating diplomacy and business in one of the world’s most challenging environments. Sullivan’s experiences as US ambassador to Russia during a tumultuous period in very recent modern history offer valuable insights for businesses operating in emerging markets."
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Overview

Ambassador John J. Sullivan, former US deputy secretary of state and former US ambassador to the Russian Federation, is a partner in Mayer Brown’s Washington DC and New York offices and co-lead of the firm’s National Security practice. He is also a Distinguished Scholar at the School of Foreign Service of Georgetown University and a Distinguished Fellow at the School of International and Public Affairs of Columbia University. He serves as a Contributor to CBS News, is quoted frequently in international media as a leading authority on foreign affairs, and has written a book on his experiences as ambassador, Midnight in Moscow, which was published by Little, Brown and Company in August 2024.

Ambassador Sullivan is a member of the Board of Directors of the US Institute of Peace, after his nomination by President Biden and unanimous confirmation by the Senate. He also has been appointed by Congress to serve as a member of the bipartisan congressional Commission on Reform and Modernization of the Department of State.

Recognition

Praise for John's book Midnight in Moscow

H.R. McMaster, New York Times bestselling author of Dereliction of Duty, Battlegrounds, and At War with Ourselves

“Midnight in Moscow is an elegantly written and riveting account of serving in the toughest diplomatic post in the world. John Sullivan’s empathy, dedication to duty, and humility run through this book. I hope that young Americans will read it, and will emulate the author’s commitment to selfless service.”

Wendy R. Sherman, former US Deputy Secretary of State

“Midnight in Moscow is nonfiction that reads like a thriller. With rich, personal details, John Sullivan lifts the curtain on the real Russia and offers a compelling portrait of tough, effective diplomacy in our complex world.”

Education

  • Columbia Law School, JD
    Book Reviews Editor, Columbia Law Review; Harlan Fiske Stone Scholar; Teaching Fellow
  • Brown University, AB, History and Political Science

Admissions

  • District of Columbia
  • New York

Courts

  • US Supreme Court
  • US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit
  • US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
  • US District Court for the District of Columbia
  • US District Court for the Eastern District of New York
  • US District Court for the Southern District of New York

Professional & Community Involvement

  • Board of Directors, US Institute of Peace.
  • Member, Commission on Reform and Modernization of the Department of State.
  • Distinguished Scholar, School of Foreign Service, Georgetown University.
  • Distinguished Fellow, School of International and Public Affairs, Columbia University.
  • Distinguished Senior Fellow, National Security Law Program, Columbia University School of Law.
  • Member, American Academy of Diplomacy.
  • Member, Council on Foreign Relations.
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