East Asian Legal Studies Talk:
Bradley Gordon JD '95
Managing Partner\, Edenbridg e Asia
Brad Gordon will speak about his work advising the Cambodian g overnment on the repatriation of stolen artifacts. He will examine Cambodia ’s recent restitution efforts as a case study in cultural property law\, fo cusing on legal strategy\, diplomatic engagement\, and negotiations with mu seums and collectors. Drawing on his experience\, he will discuss how negot iated returns\, provenance research\, and international law have shaped con temporary repatriation practice\, and reflect on broader implications for m useum ethics and state practice.
Bradley J. Gordon is the Founder of Edenbridge Asia Partners. He holds a J.D. from Harvard Law School and a B.A . from Brown University. Brad has advised multinational corporations\, fami ly business owners\, and NGO clients for over 28 years\, including 25+ year s of professional experience in Asia. Brad is a U.S. and Cambodian citizen and has worked at leading international law firms including Linklaters\, Fr eshfields\, and Shearman & Sterling. He is a member of the Bar of the State of New York. Earlier in his career\, Brad worked with Cambodian refugees i n Thailand in 1989\, reflecting a long-standing connection to the region. B rad currently serves as an Advisory Board Member of the Harpswell Foundatio n.
Over the past decade\, working pro bono for Cambodia’s Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts\, Brad has led a groundbreaking initiative to trace\ , document\, and repatriate thousands of Cambodian antiquities looted durin g decades of civil war and conflict. His team’s work has brought together a rchaeologists\, legal experts\, and former looters to identify stolen herit age and establish credible provenance. These efforts reached a major turnin g point following the U.S. indictment of Douglas Latchford\, whom Brad has described as “the mastermind behind the greatest art heist in history.” The proceedings ultimately resulted in the return of hundreds of artifacts and the recovery of critical provenance documentation from the Latchford estat e. In recognition of his extraordinary service in recovering Cambodia’s nat ional cultural heritage\, Brad was conferred a knighthood by His Majesty th e King of Cambodia in 2023.
Brad speaks Thai and Khmer.
A light lunch will be provided. Please register here.
A Harvard ID is required in order to enter Harv ard Law School buildings. If you have questions\, please contact eals@law.h arvard.edu in advance of the event.
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