Draft:Sylvia J Rolinski

• Comment: In accordance with Wikipedia's Conflict of interest policy, I disclose that I have a conflict of interest regarding the subject of this article. Arolinski11 (talk) 20:45, 8 April 2025 (UTC)

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Sylvia J. Rolinski is an American attorney and diplomat known for her work in international law, arbitration, and diplomacy. She is the founding member of Rolinski Law Group, LLC, a boutique law firm specializing in civil litigation, corporate representation, and international business development. Throughout her career, she has litigated cases in U.S. federal and appellate courts, served as lead counsel in international arbitration and governmental debt recovery cases, and has defended writs of certiorari before the U.S. Supreme Court. She was the first woman and the first American to serve as Chef de Cabinet (Chief of Staff) to the 47th President of the United Nations General Assembly, His Excellency Stoyan Ganev.

Early Life and Education

Sylvia J. Rolinski was born on November 5, 1959, in Tarrytown, New York, to Kinka Rolinski (nee Petkova), who emigrated from communist Bulgaria to the United States in search of freedom and opportunity arriving on April 3, 1959, while pregnant with Sylvia. Sylvia's mother was de facto a single mother as her father, Zhivko Rolinski, was not granted an exit visa or permission to leave Bulgaria until 8 years later arriving in New York on April 1, 1967. As the first member of her family to attend college and become a lawyer, she pursued higher education with a focus on psychology, social work, international affairs and law.

She earned two bachelor's degrees—a B.A. in Psychology and a B.S. in Social Work—from Syracuse University in 1981 with honors. She later obtained her Master of Arts in International Affairs and Economic Policy from American University and earned her Juris Doctor (J.D.) from the Antioch University School of Law in 1986.

Early Career

After graduating from law school, Sylvia J. Rolinski served as a judicial law clerk to the Honorable Nan R. Shuker of the Superior Court of the District of Columbia where she worked on the divorce case of Maryland Senator Joseph Tydings, which, at the time, was the largest divorce case in D.C.'s history setting new precedent. She then worked as a litigation associate at two boutique Washington, D.C. law firms, specializing in international trade, corporate law, antitrust, and immigration. In addition to her legal practice, she also taught torts law as an adjunct professor at Northern Virginia Law School.

Path to the United Nations

While practicing law in Washington, D.C., Rolinski's expertise in international law and fluency in multiple languages, including Bulgarian, Macedonian, and French, brought her into diplomatic circles. It was during this time that she was introduced to Stoyan Ganev, a Bulgarian politician and diplomat who was at the forefront of Bulgaria's transition to democracy from communism. Ganev played a pivotal role in Bulgaria's political restructuring following the fall of communism in Eastern Europe, eventually becoming the country's first post-communist democratic Minister of Foreign Affairs and Deputy Prime Minister.

In 1992, Ganev was elected the 47th President of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA)—the first Bulgarian to hold the position—during a time of major geopolitical shifts, including the recognition of newly independent states from the former Soviet Union and the Serbian-Bosnian War. Recognizing Rolinski's legal acumen, diplomatic skill, and deep understanding of Eastern European transitions, Ganev appointed her as his Chef de Cabinet (Chief of Staff) at the United Nations in New York.

As the first woman and the first American to serve as Chef de Cabinet (Chief of Staff) to the President of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), Sylvia J. Rolinski became a key figure in global diplomacy at a time of unprecedented geopolitical change. Her appointment placed her at the forefront of major international decision-making, where she played a pivotal role in global policy, working with world leaders, and influencing international legal frameworks.

In this capacity, Rolinski was responsible for coordinating high-level diplomatic engagements, drafting official UNGA communications, and facilitating complex international negotiations.

Her work was particularly significant in handling post-Cold War transitions, where she helped navigate the legal and diplomatic challenges of integrating newly independent states from the former Soviet Union and Eastern Europe into the global order at the United Nations.

She served as speechwriter to Ganev and coordinated the subject matter during the President's state visits to 15 countries: Estonia, Holy See, Israel, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Latvia, Lithuania, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Korea, Syria, Thailand, and the United Arab Emirates.

In addition to state sovereignty matters, she was instrumental in discussions on conflict resolution, particularly in response to the Serbian-Bosnian War. The war in the Balkans, marked by ethnic violence and humanitarian crises, presented one of the most complex challenges facing the UN at the time. Rolinski contributed to negotiation efforts, peace- building initiatives consistent with the sixth Secretary-General of the United Nations Boutros Boutros Ghali's "Agenda for Peace", and drafting of UN policies on economic sanctions, which were used to exert pressure on parties involved in the conflict through the UN Security Council. In her role as Chef de Cabinet, she worked closely with world leaders and diplomats to shape the UNGA's response to regional conflicts, economic blockades, sanctions and international law violations.

Throughout her tenure at the UN, Rolinski's diplomatic and legal insight helped bridge the gap between law, policy, and international relations, making her an influential force in reshaping global governance in the post-Cold War era.

Founding of Rolinski Law Group

Following her tenure at the United Nations General Assembly, Sylvia J. Rolinski established Rolinski Law Group, LLC, a boutique law firm focused on civil litigation, corporate representation, and international business development. The firm quickly gained a reputation for handling high-profile international disputes, including cases involving sovereign immunity, international arbitration, and governmental debt recovery.

Rolinski's firm has been involved in landmark litigation against foreign governments, challenging their claims of sovereign immunity before some of the highest courts in the United States, including the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, the U.S.Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit, and the U.S. Supreme Court. Her work has set new precedent, helped clarify and redefine legal precedents regarding the rights of individuals and entities to sue foreign governments under U.S. law.

Landmark Legal Cases

El-Hadad v. United Arab Emirates (El-Hadad I & II) (2000, 2007), cert. denied (2008)

Significance: Established a new commercial activity exception to sovereign immunity under the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act (FSIA), allowing individuals to sue foreign governments under specific conditions arising from their employment.

Case Summary: This case centered on an Egyptian national employee, Mohamed El- Hadad, who was wrongfully terminated from his employment with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) embassy in Washington, D.C. The UAE argued that as a foreign government, it was immune from U.S. litigation under the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act (FSIA) shielded by sovereign immunity.

Rolinski and her legal team successfully challenged the UAE's claim to absolute sovereign immunity, arguing that the employment contract between El-Hadad and the UAE fell under the commercial activity exception of FSIA. This exception allows foreign governments to be sued in U.S. courts when they engage in commercial activities similar to private entities.

Impact:

• The case set a precedent for how foreign governments can be sued for employment disputes if their actions constitute commercial activity rather than governmental functions.
• The decision significantly limited the ability of foreign governments to claim blanket sovereign immunity in employment contract cases, expanding legal protections for individuals working for foreign states in the United States at the foreign embassies.
• The ruling was challenged up to the U.S. Supreme Court, where certiorari was denied, allowing the lower courts' rulings to stand.

Youssef v. United Arab Emirates (2021)

Significance: Denied sovereign immunity to the UAE and its embassy in a breach of contract case, reinforcing the principle that foreign governments can be held accountable for contractual obligations in U.S. courts.

Case Summary: This case involved a U.S.-based plaintiff, Youssef, who had entered into a contract with the UAE embassy in Washington, D.C. but was denied compensation for services rendered after being wrongfully terminated. The UAE attempted to dismiss the case, again citing sovereign immunity under FSIA.

Rolinski's legal team argued successfully before Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson (now U.S.Supreme Court Justice Brown Jackson) that the commercial activity exception applied, as the UAE had engaged in a business transaction rather than an act of state. The ruling marked another major blow to sovereign immunity defenses used by foreign governments in U.S. courts.

Impact:

• This case further strengthened legal precedents limiting sovereign immunity in commercial disputes.
• The ruling underscored that foreign governments cannot engage in business dealings in the U.S. and then evade contractual liability.
• The decision, issued by Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, gained recognition for its thorough examination of sovereign immunity principles.

Mwani v. Al Qaeda (2022)

Significance: Represented Kenyan victims of the 1998 U.S. Embassy bombing in Nairobi, leading to a legal victory that awarded damages to survivors and families affected by the attack.

Case Summary: The case stemmed from the August 7, 1998, terrorist bombing of the U.S. Embassy in Nairobi, Kenya, orchestrated by Al Qaeda. The attack killed more than 200 people and injured thousands, including both U.S. government employees and Kenyan citizens.

Rolinski was part of the legal team that pursued justice for the Kenyan victims, arguing that Al Qaeda, as a non-state actor, could be held liable in U.S. courts under anti- terrorism laws. The court ultimately ruled in favor of the victims, granting them monetary damages for the losses and injuries suffered during the attack.

Impact:

• This case was unique to establish legal accountability for terrorist organizations in U.S. courts, paving the way for future litigation against non-state actors involved in terrorism.
• The ruling reaffirmed that victims of terrorist attacks—whether U.S. citizens or foreign nationals—can seek legal remedies in U.S. courts.
• The case was part of a broader legal effort to hold Al Qaeda financially responsible for acts of terror and provided some measure of justice for Kenyan victims of the attack.

International Legal Work

Beyond these landmark cases, Rolinski has built a global legal practice, representing clients in more than 30 countries across Africa, Europe, and the Middle East. She has led international legal teams on complex civil cases, sovereign immunity disputes, and commercial arbitration matters.

She has also worked with USAID, leading legal training on "Mediation, Arbitration, and Litigation" in Kenya for the Geothermal Development Corporation. Through these efforts, she has contributed to legal capacity-building in developing countries, strengthening their dispute resolution frameworks and access to justice.

Legal Certifications and Admissions

Rolinski is a certified mediator with the Circuit Court of Montgomery County. She is admitted to practice law before the U.S. Supreme Court, multiple U.S. Circuit Courts of Appeal, and the highest courts of Maryland, New York, and the District of Columbia. Her expertise in international litigation and arbitration continues to shape legal precedent in sovereign immunity, commercial disputes, and international law. Through her firm, Rolinski Law Group, LLC, she remains at the forefront of international legal advocacy, working on high-profile cases that impact U.S. and international law.

Philanthropy and Community Involvement

Throughout her career, Sylvia J. Rolinski has dedicated herself to philanthropy and humanitarian work, using her legal expertise and international experience to uplift marginalized communities. Her involvement spans education, healthcare, post-war recovery, and environmental sustainability, with a particular focus on Africa, Eastern Europe.

Supporting Special Needs Education in Kenya

As a patron of Heshima, a school for handicapped children in Nairobi, Kenya, Rolinski has been a staunch advocate for improving educational opportunities for children with disabilities. She has worked to increase awareness, secure funding, and enhance resources for the school, ensuring that students receive the specialized education and medical care they need to thrive.

Advancing Healthcare and Education in Tanzania

Rolinski played a leading role in providing healthcare and educational support in Tanzania as Chairwoman of the Board of Directors for Adventures in Health, Education, and Agricultural Development (AHEAD, Inc.) "Rebuilding the human spirit one child at a time" initiative. AHEAD operates in remote and underserved areas, working to deliver medical care, expand educational access, and provide sustainable development programs.

Humanitarian Efforts During the Bosnian War

During the Bosnian War, Rolinski co-chaired a major fundraising effort for the "Women and Children of Bosnia," focusing on delivering humanitarian aid, medical assistance, and shelter to families displaced by war. Sophia Lauren was the honorary chairperson and gave the keynote speech at the fundraising event in Los Angeles, California. At a time when ethnic violence and political turmoil devastated the region, she was instrumental in securing resources and coordinating aid efforts to assist the most vulnerable populations.

Environmental Advocacy and Urban Sustainability

Rolinski's philanthropic efforts extend beyond humanitarian aid into environmental sustainability. As a Board of Directors member for Cleantech Corridor, a New York- based organization focused on urban environmental initiatives, she has been involved in promoting clean energy, supporting green technology development, and advancing policies for urban sustainability. Her work has contributed to creating environmentally responsible business practices and infrastructure projects in the United States and abroad.

Personal Life

While building an exceptionally successful legal and diplomatic career, Rolinski has also raised her son, Alexander Rolinski, as a single mother. Despite the demands of her international litigation, high-profile diplomacy, and extensive philanthropic work, she has managed to provide both professional leadership and unwavering parental support.

Alexander Rolinski has followed in his mother's footsteps in academic achievement and career success. He graduated cum laude from Syracuse University, his mother's alma mater, earning a degree in finance. Now, he is pursuing a career in the electric vehicle industry, working at an EV startup, where he is contributing to the advancement of sustainable transportation and clean energy innovation.

Legacy of Impact

Rolinski's life reflects a remarkable balance between global leadership and personal dedication. She has built a distinguished legal career, shaped international diplomacy, and driven philanthropic initiatives that have touched countless lives, all while raising a son who is now carrying forward her legacy of excellence and impact.

Her commitment to justice, humanitarianism, and family stands as a testament to her ability to navigate the highest levels of global leadership while remaining deeply connected to the personal values that define her.

AWARDS

She is the recipient of the national award "No Nonsense American Woman of the Month," published in People magazine, in recognition of her work as the first woman to serve as Chief of Staff to the 47th President of the United Nations General Assembly.

She is recognized as a "Super Lawyer" chosen by her peers and published in Washington, D.C. Super Lawyers magazine for law and politics

She has been invited for decoration with the Order of Liberty and Unity for her work in international diplomacy.

MENTORSHIP

Rolinski has served as a judge for the Philip C. Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition and as a mentor for Georgetown University Law Center's International Law Society, the AmericanUniversity School of International Service, and the Maryland Court of Appeals.

Ms. Rolinski has been a Barrister with the Charles Fahey Inns of Court in Washington, D.C., and a member of the National American Inns of Court.

VOTER INTEGRITY

A staunch supporter of democracy, Rolinski has been actively involved in supporting the democratic electoral and political process in the U.S. by serving as Legal Counsel for U.S. Voter Integrity during the 2004, 2008, 2012, and 2016 U.S. Presidential elections.

External Links

Rolinski Law Group, LLC