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Standing Committee on Law and National Security

The Standing Committee on Law and National Security is the oldest Standing Committee in the ABA. We have sustained a commitment to educating the Bar and public on national security issues.

About the Standing Committee

Since 1962, the Standing Committee on Law and National Security, has sustained an unwavering commitment to educating the Bar and the public on the importance of the rule of law in preserving the freedoms of democracy and our national security. The Committee focuses on legal aspects of national security with particular attention in recent years to issues raised by legal responses to terrorist events.

Meet the - Committee

Standing Committee on Law & National Security Now Hiring a Program Specialist!

Join the dynamic team at the ABA Standing Committee on Law and National Security, located in Washington DC, where you'll have the opportunity to engage in both in-person and hybrid work settings. As a pivotal member of our committee, you'll spearhead the management and execution of a diverse array of national security law initiatives. This role entails not only the strategic oversight of project and marketing efforts but also extends to the meticulous orchestration of Committee activities such as meetings, podcasts, and special events. At the forefront of national security law issues, our committee delves into many multifaceted topics including the restructuring of the intelligence community, cybersecurity, transnational terrorism, economic threats, espionage, space law and emerging technologies....

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A Discussion with Jonathan Meyer, DHS General Counsel - Wednesday, May 29 – Noon – 1:30 p.m.

Jonathan Meyer was confirmed as the sixth General Counsel of the Department of Homeland Security in 2021. He leads a team of approximately 4,000 lawyers who serve across DHS. In addition to providing legal counsel to the Secretary and senior leadership, he and his team are responsible for providing legal support to the agency’s wide variety of missions and activities, including those regarding incident response, cybersecurity, counterterrorism, immigration, maritime operations, election security and international trade. During his talk, Mr. Meyer will highlight key agency priorities for the current year and beyond.

National Security Law Today: A Podcast

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News Roundup: Russia Advancing, U.S. Quantum Computing Breakthroughs, the AI Race, and more

Looking for the latest national security news? This week, Elisa breaks down recent national security related headlines, including Russia's advancement in Ukraine, major U.S. leaps in quantum computing, and a preview of next week's episode covering how your personal data, including DNA data, are quietly being bought and sold.

Listen to - Latest Episode

Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) Resource Page

Follow developments on Section 702 useful to policymakers, the press, and the public. Read selected articles and legal materials and learn about upcoming events on FISA and 702. Visit regularly as the site will be updated as new materials become available.

Director Wray

FBI Director Christopher Wray Spoke With SCOLANS, April 9, 12pm

Director Wray recently spoke with SCOLANS to share his thoughts on the bureau’s priorities for 2024 including foreign threats to American elections, cyber-attacks on the US infrastructure and threats posed by foreign adversaries.

Read the - Transcript

Listen to FBI Director Wray's Speech

Director Wray's speech to SCOLANS is now available.

Thank you for attending the 33rd Annual Review of the Field of National Security Law CLE Conference

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Conference audio recordings are now available

Held on November 16 -17, 2023 | In- person at The Westin Washington, DC Downtown. Please note: CLE Credit is only available for live attendance, not recorded viewings.

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Past Events

Explore virtual and in – person programs, CLE Conferences, meetings and events held & sponsored by the Standing Committee on Law and National Security

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Women in National Security Law

Discover a wealth of insights by watching our webinar panels and exploring the Standing Committee's programs dedicated to supporting, promoting, and developing women in the practice of national security law. At the heart of our mission, Women in National Security strives to empower and uplift women in this field, fostering their growth and success.

Learn more - & watch past events

An Anthology: 60 Years of Transformation | National Security Law

The 60th Anniversary Anthology will review the past ten years and forecast the next ten years in the development of national security law. These articles capture the history, growth, and development of the Committee, the nation, and the world's evolution in national security law. The articles will be released serially through our website. We will later compile the articles in an e-book that can be downloaded or printed as a reader chooses. New essays are added regularly.

Access - All Essays

Spyware Resolution 509 adopted by the ABA House of Delegates in February 2024 during the Midyear Meeting held in Louisville

The resolution opposes the use of spyware for human rights abuses and calls for a moratorium on such practices, alongside urging governments to enact laws restricting the sale, purchase, and use of abusive commercial spyware. Additionally, it recommends the U.S. Department of Commerce to continue listing companies providing such spyware. The resolution also encourages platform providers to implement safeguards, detection protocols, and victim notification policies against abusive commercial spyware attacks.

2024 Annual Threat Assessment of the U.S. Intelligence Community Released

(March 2024) The Office of the Director of National Intelligence has released the 2024 Annual Threat Assessment of the U.S. Intelligence Community. The Threat Assessment details threat actors, ongoing conflicts, and transnational issues that pose a threat to the United States.

AI Resolution 604 Unanimously Passes House of Delegates

The ABA took a strong stand on artificial intelligence and related issues during the 2023 ABA Midyear Meeting in New Orleans, LA. Resolution 604 sets out standards for the development and utilization of artificial intelligence products, services, and systems, and encourages transparency and accountability.

Left to right - Stephen Dycus, William Banks, and Elizabeth Rindskopf Parker

2022 The Morris I. Leibman Award

(November 18, 2022) Lawyers Stephen Dycus and Elizabeth Rindskopf Parker were presented with the Morris I. Leibman Award in Law and National Security at a 60th Anniversary Dinner held at the Army and Navy Club in Washington, D.C., following the 32nd Annual Review of the Field of National Security Law Conference.

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Visit the ABA Cyber Task Force Page

The ABA Cybersecurity Legal Task Force's mission is to identify and compile resources within the ABA that pertain to cybersecurity, and to focus and coordinate the ABA’s legal and policy analyses and assessments of proposals relating to cybersecurity.

ABA Vendor Contracting Cybersecurity Checklist (2nd)

The Cybersecurity Checklist, Second Edition (2021) is directed to solo and small firm attorneys who interact with vendors, often involving access to a client's sensitive data or internal systems. As we face increased cybersecurity risks, the mantra "know your supplier" cannot be overstated. This Checklist highlights how practitioners who are not steeped in the nuances of data privacy and data security can minimize cybersecurity risks in their contractual transactions with third party vendors. Available for free to ABA Members.

Find more National Security Resources

For more articles, books and information on the law, visit our resources page.