The Center for American and International Law (CAIL) Names Thomas Cubbage Its New President

Thomas (T.L.) Cubbage III has been named President of The Center for American and International Law—leading the organization into its 75th year of advancing the administration of justice and rule of law throughout the world. Past President Mark Smith will remain for a time with CAIL as adviser and counselor.

The Center for American and International Law (CAIL), a premier provider of legal and law-enforcement educational programming and rule-of-law leadership throughout the world, has appointed Thomas (T.L.) Cubbage III as its new President. A seasoned lawyer with experience in both private practice and the federal government, Cubbage will work to advance and expand CAIL’s important work in the United States and around the globe.

Cubbage succeeds one of the most dedicated leaders in CAIL’s history, Mark P. Smith, who had a distinguished 30-year career with the organization. Smith has been instrumental in CAIL’s continued success in its many rule-of-law and educational endeavors. Smith has helped shepherd CAIL’s ambitious strategic-planning efforts and has helped lay the foundation for the organization’s 75th anniversary celebration next year.

Upon receiving the news of his successor, Smith said: “I am delighted and gratified to hand the reins over to T.L. His vast legal and leadership experience make him a great choice to lead CAIL into an even more illustrious future.”

Cubbage joins CAIL after most recently serving as Deputy Under Secretary for Science at the U.S. Department of Energy in Washington, D.C. He is a graduate of Southern Methodist University, graduating magna cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa, and of The University of Texas School of Law, with high honors. He spent much of his career as a partner at Covington & Burling LLP, focusing primarily on energy law, litigation, and arbitration. Throughout his career, he has been dedicated to advancing a deeper understanding of the law and helping develop the next generation of lawyers and leaders.

Cubbage said: “I’m honored to be given the opportunity to lead this distinguished organization, with its rich history and its most promising future in spreading a deeper understanding of the rule of law—and an abiding respect for it. CAIL will continue its beneficial efforts throughout the world.”

The CAIL Succession Committee of Judge Patrick Higginbotham, David Beck, Charles Matthews, Dee Kelly, Randy Ebner, and Board Chair Harriet Miers led the search effort to locate the new president. Ms. Miers said: “This is an extraordinary time in world affairs, and T.L. is well positioned to advance our efforts in improving the administration of justice.” She also indicated: “We are grateful to Mark Smith for his many years of dedicated service.”

New President T.L. Cubbage added: “The CAIL institutes and programs provide top-tier education and training for lawyers and law enforcement. Their missions, including promotion of justice, are as essential as ever. The CAIL staff continues to be dedicated to all of its important work, including in cutting-edge issues, such as actual innocence efforts. I am proud to help lead the organization forward.”

About The Center for American and International Law

CAIL is a trailblazing nonprofit institution founded in 1947 with the goal to provide continuing legal education beyond traditional schooling to the legal community. Since 1957, its mission has included education for law-enforcement officials. CAIL now approaches its 75th year of service in promoting respect for the law, improvements in the quality of justice, integrity in the administration of justice, and high-level skills among legal and law-enforcement professionals.

Over the years, CAIL has provided education and training for tens of thousands of lawyers and law-enforcement officers from all 50 states and some 131 countries. Participants play crucial roles in our society, and CAIL’s programs help them better serve their communities, clients, and the public.

CAIL Institute programs include:

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