Honigman’s Philip J. Kessler named chair and president of Rule of Law Project

Philip J. Kessler, a litigation partner at Honigman Miller Schwartz and Cohn LLP, has been appointed chair and president of the board of directors for the United States International Rule of Law Project (IROLP) Inc. The mission of the organization is to promote the study and development of international and comparative law and, in particular, the rule of law both within countries around the world and in the international legal order. Supporters of the British Institute for International and Comparative Law (BIICL) established IROLP, which last year became a U.S. non-profit corporation. The BIICL is one of the leading independent research centers for international and comparative law in the world. The directors and officers of both organizations are highly regarded legal scholars and practitioners from some of the most prestigious research institutions and law firms in the world.

IROLP’s mission is shared by its United Kingdom affiliate, the Bingham Centre for the Rule of Law. The Bingham Centre was launched by BIICL in December 2010 to honor the work and career of Lord Bingham of Cornhill, a pre-eminent U.K. judge and passionate advocate of the rule of law. It is the only international center of excellence solely dedicated to the study, promotion and enhancement of the rule of law worldwide. It does this by defining the rule of law as a universal and practical concept; highlighting threats to the rule of law; promoting high quality studies and training, and supporting capacity-building on the rule of law which enhances economic development and political stability. Kessler also serves on the Bingham Centre Development Board.

Kessler focuses his practice on the prosecution and defense of claimson behalf ofpublic and private companies, individuals and partnerships, in a broad range of business and intellectual property issues.

He is a prominent trial lawyer with extensive experience in litigation including claims involving antitrust, audit malpractice, contracts, securities fraud, corporate control contests, fiduciary matters and intra-corporate and partnership disputes. Kessler also litigates intellectual property issues arising from copyright, trademark, trade secret, unfair competition and patent infringement claims. He represents clients in numerous industries, including automotive, advertising, health care, pharmaceutical, financial services, real estate and manufacturing. Kessler is admitted to practice in Michigan and New York and has acted as lead counsel in litigation throughout the United States.

He is a Fellow of the distinguished American College of Trial Lawyers, where he has served on its Board of Regents and Executive Committee, The International Society of Barristers and the International Academy of Trial Lawyers. In addition, Kessler serves as a Trustee, Secretary and on the Executive Committee of the U.S. Supreme Court Historical Society. He is a life member of the Judicial Conference for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit and a life fellow of the American Bar Foundation.

Kessler has been consistently recognized as a leading lawyer by Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business, The Best Lawyers in America and Michigan Super Lawyers.

He earned a J.D. from the University of California at Berkeley School of Law and an A.B., with distinction, from the University of Michigan.