Legal News

A Conversation with Ted Sorensen, JFK Adviser and International Lawyer

By Dan Slater

Over the last few nights we’ve been making our way through “Counselor: A Life at the Edge of History,” the recently-published autobiography of Ted Sorensen, who, after serving as special counsel to JFK went on to a long career as an international lawyer at Paul Weiss.

The history of Sorensen’s life tracks some of the most interesting history of the second half of the 20th Century, from his involvement in the Cuban Missile Crisis (he corresponded with Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev), to his relationships with world leaders such as Fidel Castro and Nelson Mandela.

Today was a busy day for Sorensen, what with the news of Ted Kennedy’s illness, but Sorensen (Nebraska, Nebraska Law, and pictured, in his White House days) spent some time speaking with us about his book and his career.

Hi Ted, thanks for taking some time out to chat. It’s a sad day. We got news this afternoon that Ted Kennedy has been diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor. Your relationship with the Kennedy family goes back more than half a century. Can you talk a bit about Senator Kennedy?

I’ve known Ted for 55 years, since he was a college student, and I saw him come back after his plane crash and after his automobile crash. Don’t write him off. He’s a fighter, and if anyone can fight it off, through surgery or whatever, it’s Ted.

We hope so. So, we got a copy of your book a few days ago and while we’ve read a good deal of it, we haven’t read all of it, so please forgive us if we ask something we should already know.

Don’t worry. I’m not going to test you.

Good. As the special counsel to the Kennedy White House, you had an incredible first job out of law school. What did it mean for the rest of your career – especially as an international lawyer – to have that kind of experience so early on?

I’m realistic enough to know that having worked for the Kennedy White House made a huge difference in terms of giving my name some circulation around the world, and giving me an entree if I wanted to see a prime minister [or other foreign leader]. And of course it helped me attract clients – both American companies going abroad and foreign companies that hired me on matters that didn’t necessarily involve U.S. law.

Is that why you chose Paul Weiss? For its corporate clients?

Paul Weiss was known as a place that was concerned with public interest law and pro bono law. It had a lot of interesting national interest matters, which meant that my own background would fit in perfectly. And I found it to have a lot of bright and congenial people. I still remember my first day at the firm, February 1, 1966. Not knowing any better, I came in January 31 and worked for free.

Did you ever consider any other firms?

In one of the offers I received from a distinguished firm, the partner told me how much money all the partners were making. I asked if they were having any fun, and he looked thunderstruck. I thought, if I’m going to spend most my life at work, I want it to be fun. Because up till then my eleven years with John Kennedy had been fun.

Any chance you could tell us which firm was so profits-obsessed?

No, but I’ll give you a hint. It was a firm named after one of its partners.

OK. In terms of international law, you’ve had a fascinating career, having met with and advised the likes of Nelson Mandela, Fidel Castro and Mobutu Sese Seko, among countless other historical icons. Do you know of any younger lawyers – say, in their 30’s or 40’s – who are having careers today that are similar to yours?

I don’t see too many lawyers in their 30’s and 40’s anymore. I’m 80.

Fair enough. In your book, you mention that Egypt’s Anwar Sadat was the “most intriguing” person you ever met, while Israel’s David Ben-Gurion was the “most visionary.” What did you mean?

Sadat was visionary in his own way. He was a big picture man. After I started working with him, he had an idea of making a trip to Jerusalem, which led to the Camp David Accords. Egypt became the only Arab state to have relations with Israel.

Ben-Gurion was responsible for the growth of Israel. But my most specific reference was when I was in Israel having lunch in King David Hotel, and who should come over but Ben-Gurion. He gave me an idea on how Bobby Kennedy could win the presidency.

What was his idea?

He thought Bobby should make a secret visit to Moscow to reach a compromise for ending Vietnam. He thought Moscow held the controlling reigns over Vietnam, but I don’t think they did.

Well, you’re still of counsel at Paul Weiss. What lies ahead now that you’ve written your biography?

I’m going to be careful what I say, because I still remember a long time ago I was speaking to one of the senior partners and I said I like the firm so much that they’re going to have to carry me out of here. And then they did. I had a stroke.

But, even though I no longer practice as a partner and I don’t have clients who pay me, I still bring in some pro bono matters from time to time that the associates enjoy, and I still enjoy my continued association with a wonderful group of lawyers.

OK, Ted, thanks for taking the time to chat with us on this hectic day. Be well and take care.

Full post as published by Law Blog - WSJ.com on May 20, 2008 (boomark / email).