The Week That Will Be – Lawfare
Event Announcements (More details on the Events Calendar)
Tuesday, February 18, 2020, at 1:00 p.m.: The Center for Strategic and International Studies will host a half-day conference entitled Decisionmaking and Technology Under the Nuclear Shadow, exploring how decision-makers think about strategic situational awareness, emerging technologies, and risk in crises between nuclear-armed states. Featured experts will include Dr. Robert Jervis, Dr. Peter W. Singer, Avril Haines, and Dr. Kathleen Hicks.
Wednesday, February 19, 2020, at 9:00 a.m.: The Department of Justice will hold a public workshop on titled Section 230 Nurturing Innovation or Fostering Unaccountability? to discuss Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act of 1996, its expansive interpretation by the courts, and whether improvements to the law should be made.
Wednesday, February 19, 2020, at 2:00 p.m.: The Center for Strategic and International Studies will host Dr. Walter Copan, Under Secretary of Commerce for Standards and Technology, to discuss the National Institute for Standards and Technology Privacy Framework.
Friday, February 21, 2020, at 10:00 a.m.: The Center for Strategic and International Studies will organize a conversation with the Secretaries of the U.S. Military Departments to discuss the state of their services, defense strategy, and key initiatives in the FY 2021 budget and associated future years defense program. Featuring Hon. Ryan D. McCarthy, Secretary of the Army; Hon. Barbara M. Barrett, Secretary of the Air Force; Hon. Thomas B. Modly, Acting Secretary of the Navy.
Employment Announcements (More details on the Job Board)
The following are job announcements of potential interest to Lawfare readers. If you have an announcement to add to the page, email us.
Summer Fellow, Georgetown Law Center on Privacy & Technology
The Center on Privacy & Technology at Georgetown Law seeks motivated graduate or law students who are passionate about privacy and technology for a ten-week summer 2020 position in Washington, DC. The Center will consider applicants for two different types of positions:
Paid position: Fellow will receive a $7,500 stipend to conduct focused research and writing on a tech policy issue that affects historically disadvantaged communities.
For-credit or externally funded position: To qualify, applicants must be able to either receive credit from their academic institution or obtain funding from an outside source. We are happy to work with qualified candidates to help secure outside funding by writing letters of support.
About Us
The Center on Privacy & Technology at Georgetown Law is a think tank focused on privacy and surveillance law and policyand the communities they affect.
Privacy is not a luxury. It is a fundamental right under threat from both government and corporate surveillance, especially for historically marginalized people. Through research and advocacy, we challenge that surveillance and work towards a world where privacy protects everyone.
We undertake rigorous, long-term investigations. We dont want to react to the policy cycle. We want to create it. Our home in the academy gives us the time and resources we need to do that.
We pair research with action. Our proposals help legislators and affected communities enact transformational privacy and civil rights reforms. We advocate for those ideas alongside the nations leading grassroots and civil rights organizations.
We highlight the color of surveillance. Most privacy debates dont touch on race, class, or power. We unearth and expose the disparate impact of surveillance and amplify the voices of the people being watched.
We educate the next generation of privacy advocates. We train law students to collaborate with computer scientists, engineers, and others. Through that work, they develop a more nuanced view of how technology, law, and society interact.
The Position
Responsibilities:
Contribute research and writing to projects that may include a broad range of tech policy issues, including but not limited to surveillance, biometrics, police
technology, consumer privacy, financial technology, and cybersecurity;
Assist with administrative tasks, social media posting, and events; and
Other tasks as directed.
Qualifications
Ideal candidates will possess the following characteristics:
Current law student or graduate student in a technology field;
Demonstrated passion for relevant technology policy issues;
An interest in historically disadvantaged communities;
Proven research and analytical skills;
Excellent writing skills;
Resourcefulness, determination, and tenacity;
Comfort discussing policy issues with non-expert audiences;
Technical knowledge, skills, and aptitude a plus.
Application Process
1. Please create a single PDF with the filename lastname_firstname.pdf that includesin order:
1. A cover letter that explains your interest in working with us; 2. Your resume, including GPA; 3. Three references with contact information; 4. A response 500-800 words to the question, What is a technology policy issue that interests you and that affects a historically disadvantaged community or communities?; and
2. Submit your application PDF as an attachment by email to: [emailprotected]
3. After you have submitted your application by email, please fill out the brief form at: https://tinyurl.com/CPTSummer2020
Submissions will be accepted until February 28, but will be considered on a rolling basis. We encourage you to apply early. Typically, the fellowship begins after Memorial Day and goes through late July/early August.
Please direct any questions to [emailprotected] No phone calls please.
Privacy & Civil Liberties Attorney, NSA Office of General Counsel
The NSA Office of General Counsel (OGC) is seeking highly qualified attorneys with privacy and civil liberties experience who are interested in joining its elite team of lawyers who provide legal advice to the Agency as it carries out its missions. At NSA OGC, you will analyze cutting-edge technical and intelligence issues and will frequently provide legal advice that relates to high-profile current events affecting our national security.
Attorneys working in NSA OGC apply their expertise, skills, and education to solve a variety of challenges not found in the private sector or at any other government agency. You will have the opportunity to make a global impact on a daily basis as you work with other top caliber professionals at the highest levels of the Agency and across the U.S. Government. This critical work ensures that Agency operations comply with the law while also protecting both our national security and our civil liberties.
The responsibilities of a Privacy and Civil Liberties Attorney at the NSA include:
Job close date: 3/13/2020
Ethics Attorney, NSA Office of the General Counsel
The NSA Office of General Counsel (OGC) is seeking superior applicants who have experience with the government ethics rules and are interested in joining its elite team of lawyers who provide legal advice to the Agency as it carries out its missions. At NSA OGC, you will frequently provide government ethics advice associated with high-profile current events affecting our national security.
Attorneys working in NSA OGC apply their expertise, skills, and education to solve a variety of challenges not found in the private sector or at any other government agency. You will have the opportunity to make a global impact on a daily basis as you work with other top caliber professionals at the highest levels of the Agency and across the U.S. Government. This critical work ensures that Agency operations comply with the law while also protecting both our national security and our civil liberties.
The responsibilities of a Attorney at the NSA can include:
Job Close Date: 3/13/2020
Patent Attorney, NSA Office of General Counsel
The NSA Office of General Counsel (OGC) is seeking superior applicants with experience in practice areas such as litigation, national security law, cybersecurity, government contracts, administrative law, and government ethics, among others, who are interested in joining its elite team of lawyers who provide legal advice to the Agency as it carries out its missions. At NSA OGC, you will analyze cutting-edge technical and intelligence issues and will frequently provide legal advice that relates to high-profile current events affecting our national security.
Attorneys working in NSA OGC apply their expertise, skills, and education to solve a variety of challenges not found in the private sector or at any other government agency. You will have the opportunity to make a global impact on a daily basis as you work with other top caliber professionals at the highest levels of the Agency and across the U.S. Government. This critical work ensures that Agency operations comply with the law while also protecting both our national security and our civil liberties.
The responsibilities of a Patent Attorney at the NSA can include:
Job Close Date: 3/13/2020
Attorney (Compliance Unit), NSA Office of General Counsel
The NSA Office of General Counsel (OGC) is seeking superior applicants with experience in practice areas such as litigation, national security law, cybersecurity, government contracts, administrative law, and government ethics, among others, who are interested in joining its elite team of lawyers who provide legal advice to the Agency as it carries out its missions. At NSA OGC, you will analyze cutting-edge technical and intelligence issues and will frequently provide legal advice that relates to high-profile current events affecting our national security.
Attorneys working in NSA OGC apply their expertise, skills, and education to solve a variety of challenges not found in the private sector or at any other government agency. You will have the opportunity to make a global impact on a daily basis as you work with other top caliber professionals at the highest levels of the Agency and across the U.S. Government. This critical work ensures that Agency operations comply with the law while also protecting both our national security and our civil liberties.
The responsibilities of a Compliance Unit Attorney at the NSA can include:
Job Close Date: 3/13/2020
Patent Agent, National Security Agency
Patent Agents study invention disclosures and investigate the patentability of inventions. They work with inventors to prepare, file, and prosecute patent applications before the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office (USPTO). They may work with stakeholders to develop and consider strategic goals, vision, priorities, programs, and plans. The patent agent will work to protect Agency interests by advising Agency clients, advocate on behalf of Agency clients, and educate Agency clients concerning the preparation and prosecution of patent applications before the USPTO, thereby furthering the mission, goals and objectives of the Office of General Counsel or a particular Practice Group thereof.
The responsibilities of a Patent Agent include:
Job Close Date: 3/13/2020
Attorney, NSA Office of General Counsel
The NSA Office of General Counsel (OGC) is seeking superior applicants with experience in practice areas such as litigation, national security law, cybersecurity, government contracts, administrative law, and government ethics, among others, who are interested in joining its elite team of lawyers who provide legal advice to the Agency as it carries out its missions. At NSA OGC, you will analyze cutting-edge technical and intelligence issues and will frequently provide legal advice that relates to high-profile current events affecting our national security.
Attorneys working in NSA OGC apply their expertise, skills, and education to solve a variety of challenges not found in the private sector or at any other government agency. You will have the opportunity to make a global impact on a daily basis as you work with other top caliber professionals at the highest levels of the Agency and across the U.S. Government. This critical work ensures that Agency operations comply with the law while also protecting both our national security and our civil liberties.
The responsibilities of an Attorney at the NSA can include:
Job Close Date: 3/13/2020
Deputy Managing Editor, Lawfare
The Lawfare Institutepublisher of information and insight at the intersection of national security, law, and policyseeks highly organized, motivated, and experienced candidates for a full-time deputy managing editor, with work located in Washington, D.C. near Dupont Circle.
The deputy managing editor will work in tandem with the managing editor to perform or direct significant aspects of Lawfare's work, including:
Reviewing submissions for possible publication on the Lawfare website;
Assigning submissions to senior editors and associate editors, as needed, for advice on acceptance;
Soliciting submissions from contributors based on current developments and perceived gaps in Lawfare's coverage;
Processing accepted submissions to prepare them for publication;
Assigning submissions to associate editors for processing;
Managing final copyediting and posting of publications to the website;
Maintaining the Lawfare publication schedule;
Contributing as needed to Lawfare podcasts on topics of particular expertise or need;
Managing the website, including rotating highlighted pieces, posting relevant documents and livestreams, and controlling quality, in coordination with web hosting team;
Coordinating with book review editors and Lawfare staff to manage the workflow of book reviews;
Assisting with fundraising and donor-required documentation, as needed;
Other duties as assigned by Lawfare management.
At the direction of the Lawfare management team, the deputy managing editor may take primary responsibility for some of the duties above, such as website management and managing book reviews, while the managing editor retains the lead role on others.
Candidates will have a bachelor's or higher degree, preferably in a field related to English, journalism, national security, or law; combined 2+ years of relevant training and experience; excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to effectively interact with academic and non-academic contributors; and demonstrated decision-making skills. The strongest candidates will have experience editing national security and/or legal topics; familiarity with AP style; direct experience working with PACER and other sources of legal content; a healthy understanding of the US foreign policy process; and connections with experts operating within or at the margins of the nexus of national security, law, and policy.
Salary commensurate with experience. Benefits include health and dental care (with premiums fully paid by Lawfare), flexible hours, and 401(k) with Lawfare matching contribution.
Lawfare is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.
HOW TO APPLY: Please submit by February 20 a note to [emailprotected] with the subject line [EDITOR APPLICATION: your name] that contains these two items (and only these two items) attached in a single document: (1) a resume that shows the experience and education requested above; and (2) a cover letter of no more than two pages that explains how you plan to apply your skills and experiences to Lawfare and includes at least two references, with email addresses, of people directly familiar with your editing work. We anticipate many applications; not following the instructions here will result in your application not being considered.
Lawfare Internship, Summer 2020, Governance Studies Program, The Brookings Institution
Overview:
Thinking about a career in public policy? Committed to improving the world we live in? Think Brookingsone of the most influential, most quoted and most trusted think tanks!
Interns spend approximately 10 weeks working alongside leading experts in government and academia from all over the world. Brookings also offers students the opportunity to intern in departments such as communications, human resources and central operations management. The mission of the Internship Program is to provide students with a pre-professional learning experience that offers meaningful, practical work experience related to their field of study or career interest. Students engage in career exploration and development as well as learn new skills.
Interns will have the opportunity to attend internal meetings, local think tank events, professional development workshops, and public Brookings events. In addition, interns may participate on Brookings sports teams and network with other interns throughout the Institution.
This summer internship, beginning in June 2020, is an opportunity for undergraduate students in their sophomore,junior or senior year, and graduate students with an interest in national security to apply principles and theory learned in the classroom in a professional environment. This internship pays an hourly rate of $15.00 and applicants must be willing to commit to a minimum number of hours per week (no less than 30 hours per week, during regular business hours), with some flexibility around an academic course schedule.
To learn more about Brookings research programs, click here.
Responsibilities:
Lawfare has emerged as the internets indispensable resource for information and analysis on the law of national security. Devoted to Hard National Security Choices, the site features top-quality writing and analysis from experts on developing stories in the national security arena, relevant legislation, and judicial opinions. It is a digital magazine that includes a podcast, a book review, research tools, a daily news roundup, an events calendar, and exhaustive coverage of events other media touch only glancingly.
The intern will assist with running and maintaining Lawfare, a website devoted to serious, non-ideological discussion of national security legal and policy issues and will have an opportunity learn a variety of research skills such as writing, research and blog maintenance. Learning will fall into three main categories: