From a divided Berlin to The Hague and beyond, Judge Charles N. Brower shares his personal journey at the forefront of international justice, advocating for the law's role in global peace. With four decades as a judge on the Iran-United States Claims Tribunal, Brower is a recognized leader in arbitration, having handled cases across six continents. His narrative, filled with wit and adventure, recounts an extraordinary career that began when he quickly became a partner at a Wall Street firm after graduating from Harvard. However, he soon left that path to join the U.S. State Department, immersing himself in Cold War Europe and developing a lifelong dedication to international law. Brower's career has engaged him with critical issues such as globalization, governmental ethics, environmentalism, and human rights. He faced a range of characters, from criminals to victims, particularly at the Iran-United States Claims Tribunal, where intense disagreements sometimes escalated to violence. His time at The Hague was briefly interrupted by his role as an advisor to President Ronald Reagan during the Iran-Contra scandal. Brower ultimately became the most-appointed American judge ad hoc at the International Court of Justice. This insider account provides a nuanced history of modern arbitration and underscores the law's vital importance in pursuing peace as a global citizen.
