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    Recent Events & CLE

    View the Standing Committee's events — including photos and live recordings from our programs.

    October 15, 2024 Luncheon with Ambassador Sullivan

    Listen to SCOLANS’ discussion with Ambassador John Sullivan, introduced by Standing Committee Chair Stephen Preston during our luncheon program on October 15, 2024. Ambassador Sullivan served as US ambassador to the Russian Federation from 2019 to 2022 and shares his firsthand experiences on the diplomatic front lines during Putin's invasion of Ukraine. He offered insights into the state of US-Russia relations and how far the West might need to go in standing up to Moscow.

    Listen - Here

    September 24, 2024 Luncheon with David Cattler

    Listen to SCOLANS' discussion with David Cattler who will outline DCSA’s work to enhance the security and integrity of American industries and preserve the United States’ strategic technological edge.

    Listen - Here

    Jonathan Meyer, DHS General Counsel Speaks with SCOLANS

    On May 29, 2024, Jonathan Meyer, General Counsel of the Department of Homeland Security spoke with SCOLANS. Mr. Meyer highlighted key areas of concern for DHS including cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, immigration, and election security.

    Watch - Here
    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.

    Listen - Here

    Lost Trust: Politics and Intelligence

    June 23, 2023

    Recent political developments have damaged the reputation of the intelligence community and have deeply divided the country. The recent performance of the intelligence community, and particularly the FBI, has battered its reputation for avoiding partisanship. Reports by Robert Mueller, John Durham, and multiple inspectors general have fostered Republican suspicions that the Trump-Russia investigation was driven more by politics than by evidence. More recent episodes have added to claims of bias in the intelligence community, from the 51 intelligence professionals who claimed that the Hunter Biden laptop had all the earmarks of Russian disinformation to FBI whistleblower complaints and the disclosure that the FBI improperly queried section 702 data to investigate both BLM and January 6. This loss of faith in national security agencies raises questions with profound consequences for American democracy. Did our federal law enforcement and intelligence communities allow themselves to become politicized? Did they fail to take seriously enough the risk of giving the appearance of partisanship? And, most importantly, what can be done today to restore trust and avoid another seven years as disastrous for public confidence as the last seven?

    Meet the - Panel

    An NPEC and ABA-sponsored Hill Event: “Over-classification: How Bad Is It, What’s the Fix?”

    National Security Law Today Podcast Logo

    May 11, 2023

    The Nonproliferation Policy Education Center (NPEC) and the Standing Committee on Law and National Security cohosted an event on Capitol Hill featuring Senator Mark Warner, chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, and Senator Mike Rounds who also is a member of the committee and sits on the Senate Armed Services Committee. The event also featured Ben Powell of the Congressionally mandated Public Interest Declassification Board. Opening Remarks were given by Harvey Rishikof, Counselor, American Bar Association Standing Committee on Law and National Security, and Henry Sokolski, Executive Director, Nonproliferation Policy Education Center. The Senators and Mr. Powell explained how over-classification is undermining our national security and laid out their proposals to fix the problem. Many of their comments focused on NPEC’s study, “Over-classification: How Bad Is It, What’s the Fix?” Because there is a good chance that the proposals discussed are fixes the White House and Congress may soon adopt, the videos are must-listening.

    Event - Recording

    FISA Section 702 Symposium

    National Security Law Today Podcast Logo

    April 26,2023

    The Georgetown Law Center on National Security and The American Bar Association Standing Committee on Law and National Security co-sponsored an event at Georgetown University Law Center. The symposium covered the current operations and challenges brought by and reforms for reauthorization of FISA Section 702. Speakers included the National Security Advisors to Rep. Hakeem Jeffries and Rep. Kevin McCarthy; lawyers from the National Security Division, Department of Justice and the FBI; General Counsel of the Office of the Director of National Intelligence; and representatives from the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence and the Senate Judiciary Committee.

    Event - Details & Recording

    Recent Events

    Luncheon Program: CFIUS and Investment Screening: A Discussion with the Assistant Secretary of the Treasury for Investment Security on Policies, Priorities and Enforcement

    December 1, 2022 | A discussion with Paul Rosen, Assistant Secretary for Investment Security at the U.S. Department of the Treasury, and the lead for all operations and activities of the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS). Mr. Rosen addressed emerging issues and priorities for the Committee, including CFIUS’s new enforcement guidelines and President Biden’s Executive Order on CFIUS, among other developments.

    An NPEC and ABA-sponsored Workshop: "What Is America’s Obligation to Avert Targeting Power Reactors?"

    Held on August 23rd, 2023|After Russia's military assaults against Ukraine’s power reactors, many fear the precedent has been set for future military attacks against power reactors, not only in Europe, but in the Middle and Far East as well as South Asia. Over 170 nations have ratified Protocol 1 of 1977 to the 1949 Geneva Convention, which specifically discourages military assaults against nuclear power plants. However, the U.S. has only signed Protocol 1, but not yet ratified it. Meanwhile, the Pentagon's Law of War Manual further states that under customary international law, “no legal presumption of civilian status exists” for objects. It also notes that electrical power stations are generally recognized to “be of sufficient importance... to qualify as military objectives in armed conflicts.” In light of these facts, should the Pentagon’s current understanding of America’s obligations under Protocol 1 be controlling? What, if anything, might be the case for a stricter interpretation of our obligations? What are the relative risks, if any, of either position? This workshop discussion held on August 23rd at 5:00pm EDT covered these questions. Gary Corn, who served 26 years as a national security lawyer in the Army including as General Counsel to Cyber Command, led with a brief presentation followed by NPEC’s executive director, Henry Sokolski, and moderated by Harvey Rishikof

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    Reforming the Classification System: Challenges, Approaches, and Priorities

    Cosponsored with the Federalist Society and the American Bar Association’s Standing Committee on Law and National Security

    (Hudson Institute | December 06, 2022) Our national security relies on the careful and deliberate creation, dissemination, and protection of classified information. But some contend that the current system for classifying and declassifying US government records is outdated and imposes significant economic and public policy costs, directly and indirectly harming national security. Storage and maintenance costs increase as classification levels rise, and these costs will increase with newly classified electronic records growing exponentially, and with numerous records approaching mandatory declassification review. In addition, the problems with decreased efficiency, coordination, and trust and confidence in our national security agencies undermine our nation’s security and public confidence in the intelligence community.

    Learn More - Hudson.org

    Past National Security Law Conferences

    Audio Recording

    Breakfast Program: "In Ukraine, there are No Quick Fixes" with John Erath

    Aired May 10, 2022 | Following Russia’s illegal and ruthless attack on Ukraine, John Erath discussed how an early end to the violence may be elusive. How can this war end and are there good options going forward? John Erath is the Senior Policy Director for the Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation, following 30 years of government service. He recently completed a two-year assignment on the U.S. National Security Council, where he was responsible for European issues.

    Lessons for the Next Twenty Years: What We’ve Learned in the Two Decades Since 9/11

    Webinar Recording

    Aired Thursday, September 9, 2021. Featuring opening remarks by ABA President Reginald Turner and moderated by Judge James Baker (Director, Institute for Security Policy and Law). Ambassador Anne W. Patterson (Kissinger Senior Fellow Yale Jackson Institute for Global Affairs) Michael G. Vickers (Former Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence) And Sahar Aziz (Professor of Law and Chancellor's Social Justice Scholar, Rutgers Law School)

    Whistleblowing in the Intelligence Community Legal and Practical Challenges

    Webinar Program

    Aired May 12, 2021 - Featuring Moderator Dawn Eilenberger (Former Deputy Director of National Intelligence, Former Assistant DNI for Policy & Strategy, Office of the DNI); Michael Atkinson (Partner, Crowell & Moring LLP; co-lead of the National Security practice and former ODNI Inspector General); Joel Brenner (Senior Research Fellow, MIT Center for International Studies and former NSA Inspector General); Jason Klitenic (Partner, Holland & Knight, Head of National Security, Defense and Intelligence Team and former General Counsel, ODNI); and Mark Zaid (Managing Partner, Mark S. Zaid, PC; Founder, James Madison Project and Co-Founder, Whistleblower Aid). Registrants receive 50% off our publication, Whistleblowers, Leaks, and the Media.

    Civics as a National Security Imperative: A Conversation with U.S. Supreme Court Justices Sonia Sotomayor and Neil M. Gorsuch

    Webinar Program

    Aired March 25, 2021. Join SCOLNS members Suzanne Spaulding (CSIS) and Jamil Jaffer (NSI) in a conversation with Justice Sonia Sotomayor and Justice Neil Gorsuch on the importance of civic education as a national security imperative. In a global environment where liberal democracies are facing a crisis of confidence and where authoritarian regimes work to threaten the foundational premise of the rule of law, it is essential that our country grows societal resilience against these threats via a strong foundation in civic education. This program will include a moderated discussion between Justice Sotomayor, Justice Gorsuch, Suzanne Spaulding (Director of the Defending Democratic Institutions Project, CSIS), and Jamil Jaffer (Founder and Executive Director, NSI).

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    An Update on Supply Chain Security and Cyber - Post SolarWinds

    Webinar Program

    Aired April 16. With Harvey Rishikof (Moderator), Stewart Baker, Joyce Corell, Rob Morgus, Douglas Hassebrock, and Charlie Tupitza. Sponsored by the Standing Committee on Law and National Security and the Cybersecurity Legal Task Force.

    CSIS | ‘Civics at Work’ Launch Event

    Webinar Program

    On May 4, the CSIS Defending Democratic Institutions (DDI) Project will launch its new initiative, 'Civics at Work.' For the past few years the DDI team has worked on an initiative to reinvigorate civic education as a national security imperative. However, while it is important to make long-term investments in K-12 civics, the lack of civic literacy among adults presents a current threat to democracy that demands an urgent response. All Americans need to understand the fundamentals of our democratic republic and their role in sustaining it.

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    National Security CLE Webinars--Recordings

    National Security CLE Webinars

    Emerging Critical Issues in National Security

    For registered attendees, recorded panels are available for viewing until March 6 using your ‘unique link,’ provided when you registered. NOTE: CLE Credit is only available for live viewing, not recorded viewing. View panel information at the arrow below and CLE materials in the box below.

     CLE - Materials

    National Security Webinars CLE Material

    View the CLE materials from our CLE Webinar series.

    Click Here to - View Materials

    Foreign Agents Registration Act: What Lawyers Need to Know in A Heightened Enforcement Era

    View Recording

    David Laufman, partner at Wiggin & Dana LLP and former Chief of Counterintelligence & Export Control in the DOJ National Security Division (responsible for FARA enforcement) explains FARA for lawyers and law firms in this program.

    Watch - Here

    Hacking Democracy: Elections and Beyond CLE ABA Showcase Program - Now Available On Demand

    "Hacking Democracy" Now Available

    You can now view this CLE Showcase Program from the 2020 ABA Virtual Annual Meeting on demand. Access to the program is included for all registrants to the Virtual Annual Meeting (complimentary for ABA Members). Moderated by Harvey Rishikof, featuring panelists Suzanne Spaulding, Justice Mariano-Florentino Cuellar, and the Hon. James McPherson with welcoming remarks from Judy Perry Martinez. Click here to view the CLE Showcase flyer with speaker details. Click the link below for the program video; you will need to log-in to the ABA’s member/customer login page to access it.

    View Program - On Demand

    CLE Reading Materials for "Hacking Elections"

    Click through for the linked list of supplemental reading material for the Hacking Democracy: Elections and Beyond CLE Showcase program

    View - CLE Materials

    ABA’s Women in National Security Law (WINSL) Webinar Program

    Practicing National Security Law in Law Firms

    Aired September 28, 2022, | The webinar brought together a panel of women who have established themselves as leaders in national security law both inside their firms and within the larger national security community. Jennifer O'Connor, Chair, WINSL, gave welcome remarks and Mary DeRosa, Chair, SCOLANDS, Advisory Committee, moderated the program. The speakers included Susan Cassidy, Partner, Covington & Burling LLP, Beth George, Partner, Strategic Risk, Crisis Management, Wilson Sonsini, Amy Jeffress, Partner, White Collar Defense & Investigations Practice, Arnold & Porter, and Jeannie Rhee, Partner, Paul Weiss.

    Watch Women in National Security Law Panels

    Women in Intelligence Law - August 12, 2020

    Senior women in the intelligence community discuss national security legal issues, provide career advice, and answer audience questions. Watch the full panel with Cynthia Ryan, Past Chair, Standing Committee on Law and National Security; Amb. Bonnie Jenkins, Women of Color Advancing Peace and Security; Donna MacEwen, NRO; Teisha Anthony, NSA; Allison Stevens, NGA; Carol Coll, CIA; and Kristin St. Peter, DIA

    View - Speaker Bios

    Women in National Security Law Webinar Recording

    A Conversation with Avril Haines Director of National Intelligence

    This week we are honored to host Avril Haines, Director of National Intelligence. As the first woman to serve as DNI, Avril Haines has an extraordinary perspective and the experience to match. Among many things she discusses - China, investments in cyber and intelligence infrastructure, creating a more diverse workforce, the shifting threat landscape, and opportunities for women in the intelligence community.

    Private Sector Cybersecurity: The Changing Landscape

    Women in National Security Law Webinar Recording

    Aired August 3, 2021, from the Standing Committee on Law and National Security Women in National Security Law. Featuring opening remarks by Jennifer O'Connor (Chair, Women in National Security Law) and moderated by Cybersecurity Legal Task Force Co-Chair Maureen Kelly. Featuring Mieke Eoyang (Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Cyber Policy), Hilary Hageman (Cubic Corporation), Kim Peretti (Alston & Bird), and Kemba Walden (Microsoft). Co-sponsored by the ABA Cybersecurity Legal Task Force.

    WINSL Virtual Launch Event - June 4, 2020

    The mission of WINSL is to support, promote, and develop women engaged in the practice of national security law. Watch the panel with Cynthia Ryan, Chair Standing Committee on Law and National Security; Amb. Bonnie Jenkins, Founder and Chair, Women of Color Advancing Peace and Security; Mieke Eoyang, Vice President, National Security Program, Third Way; Dawn Browning, Deputy General Counsel, National Security and Cyber Law Branch, FBI

    View - Speaker Bios

    Our Latest In Person Events

    Democracy and Justice in the Age of Disinformation

    The Standing Committee and the Center on Strategic and International Studies held a Defending Democratic Institutions event "Democracy and Justice in the Age of Disinformation" on Law Day 2019. Suzanne Spaulding, Harvey Rishikof, and Elizabeth Rindskopf Parker, Committee members and former chairs addressed the audience on Russian foreign influence campaigns and the new report "Beyond the Ballot: How the Kremlin Works to Undermine the U.S. Justice System." Click the arrow below to watch the video of the event.

     Read - Beyond the Ballot Report

    Dig Deeper on our Recent Conferences

    ABA Annual Meeting 2018 - Attacks on Our Institutions of Democracy

    A panel at the 2018 ABA Annual Meeting, August 4, 2018 with moderator Harvey Rishikof and panelists Elizabeth Rindskopf Parker, Suzanne Spaulding and Judge Margaret Sweeney

    Learn More - Read About the Panel

    Thinking about Extremism in the 21st Century

    A Keynote Panel from the ABA Rule of Law Initiative Annual Conference on Contemporary Rule of Law Issues: Rule of Law Approaches to Countering Violent Extremism.

    Video

    Watch the panel on Youtube

    ABA Annual Meeting 2016 - Emerging Issues in National Security and Law Enforcement

    The Standing Committee sponsored a keynote address at the 2016 ABA Annual meeting with former FBI Director James Comey. The Committee also held a moderated discussion at the 2016 Annual meeting with Marc Rotenberg, the president and executive director of the Electronic Privacy Information Center, Gilman Louie, founder and former CEO of In-Q-Tel and Harvey Rishikof, chair of the ABA Standing Committee on Law and National Security’s Advisory Committee

    Video

    Watch the moderated panel

    Watch - Keynote Address

    Previous Conferences and Events