John B. Emerson, ’78: Ambassador to Germany and Active Civic and Law School Volunteer
Anyone who doubts that a University of Chicago law degree can support many vibrant career opportunities need look no farther than the accomplishments of John B. Emerson, ’78. Since 2013, he has been serving as the US Ambassador to the Federal Republic of Germany, after a career that has included a firm partnership, a top-level position in a major city attorney’s office, high-profile service in the White House, and the presidency of a large international investment firm. Even that chronology leaves out a lot, including twice running vital parts of presidential campaigns and an expansive portfolio of board leadership at civic and educational institutions.
“I’ve done a lot of different things,” Emerson says, “and I give a great deal of credit for whatever successes I have enjoyed to the education I received at the Law School. I learned skills of critical thinking and communicating that I’m still conscious of applying every day.”
As he applies those skills in his ambassadorial responsibilities, we’re all better off. “A large part of my work involves national security issues, and another sizable part involves economic matters,” he says. Counterterrorism collaboration, action regarding climate change, resisting Russian overreach, the fight against ISIS, and support for the negotiation a major transatlantic trade agreement are among the matters that occupy his days. His work was recognized this year with the Sue M. Cobb Award for Exemplary Diplomatic Service, given each year to one non-career ambassador.
“It’s hard to imagine a more interesting time to be an ambassador here,” he says. His tenure started out interestingly enough—not long after he arrived, leaked documents suggested that the United States had tapped the phone of German Chancellor Angela Merkel. Going far beyond expressing understanding of German concerns and urging that the incident should not harm an important relationship, Emerson devoted himself to meeting with media editorial boards, attending community meetings throughout Germany, and meeting frequently with government leaders. “I raised the question about finding the right balance between privacy and security,” he says. “My law school experience prepared me well for those kinds of intense conversations about complex, important issues.”
In the 1980s, he was deputy campaign manager of Gary Hart’s presidential campaign, and in 1992 he ran Bill Clinton’s campaign in California, a state that Republicans had carried in nine of the last ten presidential contests. When Clinton won California, Emerson’s skill was recognized with a series of White House positions, including serving as the administration’s liaison to the nation’s governors. Clinton also relied heavily on Emerson to keep California in the Democratic fold; Clinton later wrote that Emerson was so devoted to this responsibility that “he became known around the White House as the ‘Secretary of California.’”
Before his years in the White House, Emerson had served for six years as Los Angeles Chief Deputy City Attorney, and before that, he was a partner at Manatt, Phelps, & Phillips, the Los Angeles firm that he joined after graduating from the Law School.
When he left the White House, he signed on at Capital Group, one of the world’s largest investment management firms, quickly becoming president of the company’s Private Client Services group. He was in that position until his ambassadorial nomination. He has been very active in the civic life of Los Angeles, serving for more than eight years as the board chair of the Music Center of Los Angeles County, which includes as resident companies the Los Angeles Philharmonic and the LA Opera, and as a member of the Los Angeles Mayor’s Trade Advisory Council, among other things.
“Secretary of California” might not be the most exalted honorary title Emerson has enjoyed—some of his law school classmates remember him as “King of Wine Mess,” because he ran that activity for two years. He has continued to serve the Law School and his classmates, as a two-time member of the Visiting Committee, a reunion chair, and an always-ready volunteer.
He says that a highlight of his ambassadorship has been reconnecting with Gerhard Casper: “Gerhard was one of my favorite professors, and he is now the president of the American Academy in Berlin. He has been a great friend and counselor to me during my time here. He represents the very best of the Law School—brilliant, charming, forthright, erudite, and wise. Being with him is another reminder of what made my law school experience so very special and of the heritage that keeps it such a great place today.”