About Us – New-Rule

We are a small, woman owned business dedicated to big results in rule of law (ROL), human rights, and democracy and governance. Drawing on decades of experience in the field, the New-Rule Team is committed to converting lessons-identified to lessons-applied.

Our Leadership Team

We've worked with hundreds of clients

Launched in 2013, New-Rule has advised a variety of clients, including governments, international development companies, and scholarly institutes. Senior technical expertise with tested field experience is mission critical to peace-building, development, and related sectors, and New-Rule is committed to converting all relevant guidance and knowledge into practical approaches, strategies, and interventions. Our experts understand the ROL and human rights are inextricably intertwined with stable, transparent, accountable governance.

“Scott and New-Rule have been a great partner to DT. He has extensive knowledge of the Rule of Law, Anti-Corruption, and Access to Justice sectors and is able to quickly synthesize that into very detailed and insightful writing. We have worked together over the last year and I have found it a pleasure to work with him and New-Rule. They continue to be a valued partner of ours and I would recommend them wholeheartedly.”

Ilan Cooper
Director at Development Transformations
“Scott is indisputably an expert in the design and implementation of international rule of law and governance programs. I had the pleasure of working with Scott when he assumed responsibility for what was then a struggling judicial reform program in Kazakhstan. Scott helped reorient the team, develop new work plans and targets, and interface with the client and counterparts. Within a year USAID called the project the most effective governance project in the whole country.

I was also able to watch Scott lead the high-profile MCC Albania threshold program (which he largely designed) and which helped catapult Albania up the World Bank Doing Business rankings and earned the country an international award for its new public procurement system.

Scott knows all aspects of the business, from business development, to program design, and program management (including budgeting, work planning, and staff management). He’s a recognized expert in the field and is rightly seen as such by his colleagues and peers.”

Patrick Lohmeyer
Executive Vice President at The QED Group
“If Scott were a coach, he would be considered a “player’s coach.” Scott is quick to congratulate employees and builds an atmosphere of trust within his team. He continually builds people up, deals with difficult situations with incredible posture, and focuses on the positives. Scott is very adept at managing difficult employees and turning their energies towards higher performance. He is an excellent presenter and communicates very well through his written reports and white papers. He has an innate ability to simplify and communicate complex subjects with employees, supervisors, and inter-agency partners.”

Matt Clark
Consultant with Gallup
“Kyra Buchko and Scott Carlson bring senior-level technical expertise on case management systems, criminal justice processes, and university-based law clinics that has been essential to the launch of our project. New-Rule’s knowledge of legal aid systems and long-standing relationships with the US law clinic community will contribute greatly to the success of Reform Kuje activities. We appreciate Kyra and Scott’s professionalism and dedication, and are very pleased to be collaborating with them on this critical justice sector project.”

Muthoni Ojuolo
Acting Director, Sub-Saharan Africa Team, PartnersGlobal
“New-Rule LLC’s Principal Scott Carlson and Senior Technical Director Kyra Buchko are bringing thoughtful leadership, creativity and collaborative problem solving as they engage in the process of updating and adapting the FAIR Program curricula. Their legal and technical expertise has proven invaluable to our staff and local partners in tailoring the TAP Training program to the Nigerian context, and their professionalism and deep commitment to the success of the project is much appreciated. New-Rule’s work product and work ethic is of the highest caliber, and I look forward to building upon our strong organizational partnership as we build this pilot program and expand it throughout the region.”

Julia Roig
President, PartnersGlobal
“This is the best Bangladesh Project Evaluation that we have done …during my tenure. New-Rule Advisors’ recommendations are detailed and useful. Congratulations, and my heartfelt thanks to New-Rule Advisors and the other team members!”

William Cartier
Chief of Party, Social Impact

We stand for

Vigilance

New-Rule engages its network daily to keep abreast of new developments in democracy, governance, and human rights. Our team believes lessons must be captured and understood to be learned.

Ambition

New-Rule aspires to maintain the most sophisticated network of expertise available, increasing value while lowering cost of access to senior professionals. The team reflects an interdisciplinary, technology-friendly approach that seeks to provide the best value for its clients.

Devotion

All New-Rule personnel have chosen to work on democracy, governance, and human rights based on a personal commitment to the field. Our team is field tested and readily understands that persistence is a key to success.

Our Leadership Team

Lisa L. Davis

Helena Smolich

Kyra Buchko

Ilan Cooper

Patrick Lohmeyer

Matt Clark

Muthoni Ojuolo

Julia Roig

William Cartier

We stand for

Vigilance

Ambition

Devotion