February 20, 2004

Professor of Law only American representative on international legal body

by Angela Anthony, editor

For several years, Henry Gabriel, DeVan Daggett Professor of Law, has enjoyed a national reputation that has placed him among the best of the best in commercial law. That reputation and his integrity have steadily moved him deeper into the international world of law. In the latest recognition of his status, Gabriel was elected to the Governing Council of the International Institute for the Unification of Private Law (UNIDROIT) in Rome. He represents the entire United States. The institute consists of 59 member countries. Each country may put forth a single nominee to serve a five-year term, but only 25 individuals are elected. The 59 members vote whether to approve the nominations. The U.S. Department of State made Gabriel's nomination last September. The professor was told of the positive results in November. Most of the eminent judges, practitioners, and academics elected to UNIDROIT are generally 15 years older than the 49-year-old Gabriel. He will make his first official trip to Rome in mid-April.

The International Institute is an independent, intergovernmental organization with the mandate to study the needs and methods for modernizing, harmonizing and coordinating private and in particular commercial law between countries.

Gabriel's profile was elevated in 2000 when he served as a reporter for the revisions of the sales and leases articles of the Uniform Commercial Code and chair of the revision committee to revise the articles on documents of title. And in early 2002, Gabriel became a delegate from the United States to the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law, which is the core legal body of the United Nations in the field of international trade law. The commission is comprised of 36 member countries elected by the General Assembly.

School of Law Dean Brian Bromberger says, "This is a tremendous honor for Professor Gabriel and the law school. Having been selected to be the sole representative from your nation on matters as important as international and commercial law speaks to Henry's expertise in particular and the prominence of Loyola in general. We could not be more pleased."