Donnie Brown

Background

About Donnie Brown

I lead environmental, security & health matters for CLIA, representing more than 95% of global cruise capacity. We do exciting work to develop industry policies that exceed regulatory requirements & advocate before international & domestic agencies to foster a safe, secure, healthy & sustainable industry. Our most rewarding work includes negotiating treaties, regulations & guidance for international shipping which demonstrates industry’s leadership while also providing amazing personal and professional growth. Before joining CLIA, I was the Coast Guard’s Chief of Operations Law, providing agency-wide legal counsel to senior leaders on transnational threats, with specific expertise in consensus-building. Through 21 years of service, I lead teams in law enforcement, search & rescue and disaster response. As an attorney, I advised senior leaders on international & domestic law and served as a speech-writer and adviser to the agency head. As a Special Assistant U. S. Attorney, I prosecuted human smugglers and dismantled criminal networks to disrupt deadly migration. I am truly passionate about assisting diverse audiences find common interests, build consensus & operate with strategic intent. People say I have a knack for distilling complex information into easily understandable advice. I take pride in using my analytical, writing and advocacy skills to achieve business objectives. I earned a Bachelor of Science from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy and graduated from the University of Miami School of Law where I served as Editor-in-Chief of the Inter-American Law Review. I earned the ABA Outstanding Young Military Lawyer Award and the DHS Office of General Counsel Exemplary Writing Award. I’m always interested in hearing from colleagues, past and present; feel free to contact me if you would like to connect!