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Photograph of Patrick Schmidt

Patrick Schmidt Adjunct Professorial Lecturer Department of Government

Degrees
Harvard University, BA magna cum laude
Georgetown University Law Center, JD
Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies, MIPP

Bio
Patrick Schmidt is an attorney with diverse experience in corporate, legislative, and policy matters. His principal focus has been on advising companies and governments on the development and financing of transportation, energy, and real estate projects in Latin America and the Caribbean. He has substantial experience with sovereign representation, including advising on economic development, tourism, renewable energy, sustainable development, and relations with the U.S. Government. He has advised a Caribbean Government on its transition off fossil fuels and the expansion of its airport, including the issuance of airport revenue bonds and the establishment of U.S. Customs Preclearance. He also has represented foreign and domestic clients on policy matters before the U.S. Congress and Executive Branch. Schmidt is the author and co-author of numerous articles and commentary on topics of international law, commerce, and public policy, which have appeared in the following publications: The National Interest, Renewable Energy World, The International Lawyer, International Business Lawyer, Journal of Multidisciplinary Research, Der Schweizer Treuhander/L’Expert Comptable Suisse, The Business Link, Law & Policy in International Business, Vanderbilt Law Review, El Cronista Comercial and the Georgetown Journal of International Law. Apart from his legal practice, he has a keen interest in U.S. intellectual history, and has published a book in this field: Harvard's Quixotic Pursuit of a New Science: The Rise and Fall of the Department of Social Relations (Rowman & Littlefield 2022). His other academic interests include small island developing states, comparative politics, Cold War scholarship, and internally displaced persons.
See Also
LinkedIn Profile
Hills Stern & Morley LLP
For the Media
To request an interview for a news story, call AU Communications at 202-885-5950 or submit a request.

Teaching

Spring 2024

  • GOVT-130 Comparative Politics

  • GOVT-130 Comparative Politics

Partnerships & Affiliations

Scholarly, Creative & Professional Activities

Selected Publications

"The United States Can Help Pull Suriname Back from the Brink," The National Interest, August 10, 2023.

Harvard's Quixotic Pursuit of a New Science, Rowman & Littlefield Publishers (2022).

"The Global Transition to Renewable Energy: Can the Caribbean Lead the Way? Part 2 - The Challenges," Renewable Energy World, June 21, 2017.

"The Global Transition to Renewable Energy: Can the Caribbean Lead the Way? Part 1 - The Potential," Renewable Energy World, June 20, 2017.

"Hillary Clinton y el poder inteligente," El Cronista Comercial, April 16, 2009.

"Promoting Tourism as U.S. Foreign Aid: Building on the Promise of the Caribbean Basin Initiative" Journal of Multidisciplinary Research, January 30, 2007.

"The Process and Prospects for the U.N. Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement to Become Customary International Law: A Preliminary Assessment," Georgetown Journal of International Law, February 1, 2004.

Professional Presentations

Keynote Speaker, "Suriname's Path to Sustainable Prosperity: U.S. Investors and U.S. Government Support," Suriname Investment Conference, Curacao, Dutch Caribbean, August 14-16, 2023.