Did you know that Yale is one of the 10 institutions that is part of the International Association of Research Universities (IARU,http://www.iaruni.org)? This alliance not only affords students and faculty opportunities to collaborate, but also now alumni-- particularly those in New York!

The New York City Chapter of IARU invites you to an evening lecture with Ms. Patricia OBrien, Under-Secretary-General for Legal Affairs and United Nations Legal Counsel, on "Legal Issues on the agenda of the United Nations: An Appraisal from the Legal Counsel's perspective" at the Yale Club, Manhattan, on November 9th, 2010.

The rule of law at the national and international levels is at the heart of the United Nations mission. We are honored and delighted to have Ms. OBrien address how establishing respect for the rule of law is fundamental to the promotion of peace, to the effective protection of human rights and to the ending of impunity.

As a truly international society covering the full academic spectrum, IARU wants to observe United Nations Day by presenting a lecture appealing to all alumni.

Our event, located in the Tap Room of the elegant and historic Yale Club in Manhattan, provides additionally an excellent opportunity to meet local IARU alumni. Wine & cheese will be served to underline its social character and to ease networking.

This wine and cheese reception has limited seats available. Please reserve a space by emailing to   This email address is hidden from email harvesters via JavaScript This email address is hidden from email harvesters via JavaScript .

Speaker Bio

Patricia O Brien was appointed the Under-Secretary-General for Legal Affairs and UN Legal Counsel in August 2008. She oversees the Office of Legal Affairs, the overall objectives of which are to provide a unified central legal service for the Secretariat and the principal and other organs of the United Nations; to contribute to the progressive development and codification of international public and trade law; to promote the strengthening and development as well as the effective implementation of the international legal order for the seas and oceans; to register and publish treaties; and to perform the depositary functions of the Secretary-General; Prior to her appointment she served for five years as Legal Adviser to the Department of Foreign Affairs of Ireland where she advised on legal issues arising in Irish foreign policy, in particular public international law, human rights law and European Union law. She also served as a Senior Legal Adviser to the Attorney General of Ireland and as Legal Counselor at the Irish Permanent Representation to the European Union in Brussels; Between 1989 and 1992 she held academic positions at the University of British Columbia, Canada.