As a Minnesota Law Student, Lauren Henry ’11 envisioned being a criminal defense attorney who strives to uphold constitutional protections and advocate for criminal justice reform. Working in the seat of power of Palau — a small island nation in Micronesia — was not on her radar. 

But during two stints over five years, Henry has done just that. Currently, she serves as senior legal counsel to Palau President Surangel Whipps Jr., a role akin to White House counsel. From 2015 to 2018, Henry worked as chief legal counsel to the Palau House of Delegates, where she drafted legislation and legal opinions on diverse domestic and international issues. 

How did Henry find herself in Koror, Palau? Looking to shift away from criminal work, she was intrigued by Palau’s job posting and the legal and public policy opportunity. Though the country is four flights and 15 time zones away, its government structure is modeled on the United States, due to its close relationship as a former trust territory. Palau won independence in 1994. 

“I did not know anything about Palau at the time, but the position was fascinating,” Henry says. “I would be working for the Congress of this young republic, building out what laws would look like for Palau and really be on the ground with elected leaders to put paper to the ideas they had for their country.” 

Henry also grew enamored with Palau’s community-centric culture that she says values all 18,000 people, from the smallest children to elders. It doesn’t hurt that the island is gorgeous with tropical temperatures year-round. 

Home and Back Again 

In 2018, family obligations called Henry home to the United States, and she took a legislative job with the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community of Washington. But a few years later, when Whipps’ chief of staff called to ask her if she would be interested in working directly for the first-term president, she couldn’t pass up the opportunity in her adopted home. She flew back to Palau in February 2021 just as the borders were closing due to Covid. At that point, the country had experienced zero cases and wanted to keep it that way. 

Henry has been at Whipps’ side as he navigates numerous challenges, including climate change, international negotiations, and rebuilding Palau’s economy after the loss of all tourism during the pandemic. In 2022, Henry helped draft the Suva Agreement, which healed rifts between Micronesian nations and restored the 18-member Pacific Island Forum. She also met with U.S. cabinet secretaries and other diplomats while working on Palau’s Compact negotiations with the United States. 

Henry supervises the Office of the President’s legal team, which handles all legal matters before the executive branch, except litigation. Each workday is fast paced, varied, and fascinating in a different way, she says. Henry might dig into legal concerns surrounding national security, border control, public health policies, and the reopening of Palau, all in one day. 

“The goal is, how do we apply Palau’s laws in a way that honors and upholds its constitution and accomplish whatever issue the president has determined is something we should get done?” Henry says. When her work delves into unfamiliar territory, she has learned to approach such situations with humility. “I know they don’t need a snap answer. They need a well-researched, thoughtful answer that will help maintain sound policy over time.” 

‘A Place I Really Treasure’ 

Amid the day-to-day challenges, Henry sometimes still finds herself amazed that her boss is the president of Palau. “The pomp and circumstance is something I felt early on,” she says. “You have these moments that wash over you of awe and real honor and thanks to be alongside the folks tackling all these challenges. But most of the time, there is more work to do than hours in the day, and you put it aside with ‘Let’s get to it.’” 

Later this year, Henry’s role will shift again as she and her partner return to Seattle for family reasons. Henry will continue working for Palau on contract, diving into U.S.-Palau treaty negotiations, defense contracts, and more, while also doing legal work for the Swinomish tribe. There are many parallels between the nations, Henry says, including being community-oriented and water-based people facing the effects of climate change. 

Henry feels connected to Palau and is pleased to stay linked to the nation through her work. “I know that Palau will not always be my physical home, but it will be a place I really treasure and maintain a connection with,” she says. “I’ve experienced nothing but thanks and appreciation for the work I do, but it’s me who should be thanking these folks for bringing in an outsider to such a special place.”