Overview:
The Palau Judiciary has welcomed Brenda K. Kombo as its new on-island court counsel. Kombo brings an extensive background in law, anthropology, human rights and international justice, with academic and professional experience in the United States, Europe and Africa.
Brenda K. Kombo is a sociocultural anthropologist and lawyer who was born in Kenya and raised primarily in Ethiopia before pursuing her higher education in the United States (US). She received a doctorate in anthropology from Yale University and Juris Doctor (JD) from Northeastern University School of Law. After several years working to advance human rights from within international non-governmental organizations and promoting pro bono practice at the New York City Bar Association’s Cyrus R. Vance Center for International Justice,
she returned to academia through fellowships at New York University and Harvard Law School in the US, the University of Bielefeld’s Center for Interdisciplinary Research in Germany, and the Free State Centre for Human Rights in South Africa. Keen to bridge theory and practice, she has also consulted for various organizations including UN Women and the Dr Denis Mukwege Foundation in addition to serving as a fellow at the UN Economic Commission for Africa in the early years of her professional career. Brenda traveled to Palau with her husband, Régis Kouatcho, an IT professional who is originally from Cameroon. They recently celebrated their sixth wedding anniversary.