William Burke-White, a University of Pennsylvania Law School professor, has been appointed to a position in Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s Office of Foreign Policy Planning.

The office serves as the secretary’s internal think tank, providing her with direct and independent policy advice. Burke-White, will advise Clinton on issues involving Russia and international law.

The Policy Planning staff's mission is to take a longer-term, strategic view of global trends and frame recommendations for the secretary to advance U.S. interests.

Burke-White will be on a two-year leave from Penn Law to serve in the office.