WASHINGTON, May 13, 2025 – The American Bar Association Standing Committee on Law and National Security honored Jamie Gorelick and Stewart Baker with its Morris I. Leibman Award in Law and National Security at a dinner in their honor on May 9, at the Army and Navy Club in Washington.
The award, established by the standing committee in 1997, recognizes lawyers who have demonstrated sustained commitment and made exceptional contributions to the field of law and national security.
“Jamie Gorelick is widely recognized as one of the nation’s foremost national security lawyers,” said Stephen Preston, chair of the Standing Committee on Law and National Security. “Over the past four decades, she has distinguished herself in both private practice and public service, taking on high-level roles across the federal government with exceptional skill and dedication.”
Preston added, “Stewart Baker has built a prominent career at the nexus of technology and national security. With deep experience in both legal and policy positions in government, he is especially noted for his expertise in surveillance, data privacy and intelligence matters. Gorelick and Baker have each profoundly shaped the field of national security law, mentoring and influencing a generation of lawyers who continue to make significant contributions. Their impact is lasting and far-reaching.”
Gorelick is a partner in the Washington law firm of WilmerHale, where she chairs the Regulatory and Government Affairs department and for many years led the firm’s national security practice. Her prior positions in government include general counsel of the Department of Defense, deputy attorney general of the United States and member of the 9/11 Commission. She currently serves on the boards of leading public companies and nonprofit organizations.
Between tours in government, Baker served as a partner at Steptoe & Johnson in Washington. His practice focused on cybersecurity, data protection and homeland security. He served in senior roles in the U.S. government, including assistant secretary of Homeland Security for policy, general counsel of the National Security Agency and general counsel of the WMD Commission. Baker previously served as chair of the standing committee.
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