The 31st Annual National Security Law Conference, organized by Duke University's Center on Law, Ethics and National Security (LENS), is scheduled for February 27-28, 2026, at Duke Law School. This esteemed event brings together experts from government, military, agencies, and the civilian sector to discuss pressing national security law issues.
Attendees can expect in-depth sessions on topics such as cybersecurity, international criminal justice, and the evolving nature of warfare. The conference will feature keynote addresses, panel discussions, and fireside chats with leading professionals in the field.
In addition to the formal sessions, the conference offers ample networking opportunities, including a reception at the Washington Duke Inn. Notable speakers include General CQ Brown, USAF (Ret.), former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Dr. Kori Schake, Director of Foreign and Defense Policy Studies at the American Enterprise Institute.
This conference is ideal for legal professionals, policymakers, academics, and students interested in national security law. It provides a platform to gain insights from leading experts and engage with peers in the field.
Speakers(25)
Col. Ted Richard
Staff Judge Advocate at US Air Force Academy
Col. Ted Richard serves as the Staff Judge Advocate at the US Air Force Academy.
Dean Ashley Deeks
Vice Dean at University of Virginia School of Law
Dean Ashley Deeks is the Vice Dean of the University of Virginia School of Law and author of 'The Double Black Box: National Security, Artificial Intelligence, and Struggle for Democratic Accountability'.
Dean Kerry Abrams
James B. Duke and Benjamin N. Duke Dean of the School of Law and Professor of Law at Duke Law School
Dean Kerry Abrams is the James B. Duke and Benjamin N. Duke Dean of the School of Law and a Professor of Law at Duke Law School.
Dr. Kori Schake
Director of Foreign and Defense Policy Studies and Senior Fellow at American Enterprise Institute
Dr. Kori Schake is the Director of Foreign and Defense Policy Studies and a Senior Fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, and author of 'The State and the Soldier: A History of Civil-Military Relations in the United States'.
General CQ Brown, USAF (Ret.)
Executive-in-Residence at Duke University
General CQ Brown, USAF (Ret.), is the former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and current Executive-in-Residence, jointly appointed in the Sanford School of Public Policy and the Pratt School of Engineering at Duke University.
Hon. Dr. John Hillen
Distinguished Lecturing Fellow at Duke University’s Center for Politics
Hon. Dr. John Hillen is a Distinguished Lecturing Fellow at Duke University’s Center for Politics and an Executive-in-Residence of the Political Science Department.
Maj. Gen. Charlie Dunlap, USAF (Ret.)
LENS Executive Director and Professor of National Security Law at Duke Law School
Maj. Gen. Charlie Dunlap, USAF (Ret.), serves as the Executive Director of the Center on Law, Ethics and National Security and is a Professor of National Security Law at Duke Law School.
Mr. Ben Kastan
Senior Counsel, Data Protection and Cybersecurity Director, Cyber Legal at Visa, Inc.
Mr. Ben Kastan is the Senior Counsel, Data Protection and Cybersecurity Director for Cyber Legal at Visa, Inc.
Mr. Dean Cheng
Senior Fellow at Potomac Institute for Policy Studies
Mr. Dean Cheng is a Senior Fellow at the Potomac Institute for Policy Studies and author of 'Cyber Dragon: Inside China's Information Warfare and Cyber Operations'.
Mr. Hensey A. Fenton III
Deputy General Counsel, Privacy and Digital Governance at COMCAST
Mr. Hensey A. Fenton III is the Deputy General Counsel for Privacy and Digital Governance at COMCAST.
Mr. Robert DeNault
Legal Counsel at Kalshi Financial Services
Mr. Robert DeNault serves as Legal Counsel at Kalshi Financial Services.
Ms. Caroline E. Brown
Partner at Crowell & Moring
Ms. Caroline E. Brown is a Partner at Crowell & Moring, a member of the firm’s International Trade group, and serves on the National Security practice steering committee.
Ms. Deborah A. Curtis
Partner and Co-Chair of the White Collar Defense & Investigations Practice at Arnold & Porter
Ms. Deborah A. Curtis is a Partner and Co-Chair of the White Collar Defense & Investigations Practice at Arnold & Porter.
Ms. Jennifer S. Zucker
Partner and Co-Head of the Government Contracts Practice Group at Vinson & Elkins
Ms. Jennifer S. Zucker is a Partner and Co-Head of the Government Contracts Practice Group at Vinson & Elkins.
Prof. Adam Oler
Associate Dean of Academics at National War College
Prof. Adam Oler serves as the Associate Dean of Academics at the National War College.
Prof. Christopher J. Borgen
Co-Director of the Center for International and Comparative Law at St. John's University School of Law
Prof. Christopher J. Borgen is the Co-Director of the Center for International and Comparative Law at St. John's University School of Law and a core expert for 'The Woomera Manual on the International Law of Military Space Operations'.
Prof. Gary Corn
Director of the Technology, Law & Security Program and Adjunct Professor at American University’s Washington College of Law
Prof. Gary Corn is the Director of the Technology, Law & Security Program and an Adjunct Professor at American University’s Washington College of Law.
Prof. Kathleen M. Kedian
Visiting Associate Professor of Law and National Security, Cybersecurity, and Foreign Relations Law Fellow at George Washington University Law School
Prof. Kathleen M. Kedian is a Visiting Associate Professor of Law and National Security, Cybersecurity, and Foreign Relations Law Fellow at George Washington University Law School.
Prof. Mike Newton
Director, International Legal Studies Program at Vanderbilt Law School
Prof. Mike Newton is the Director of the International Legal Studies Program at Vanderbilt Law School.
Prof. Peter Feaver
Professor of Political Science and Public Policy, and Director of the Program in American Grand Strategy at Duke University
Prof. Peter Feaver is a Professor of Political Science and Public Policy, and Director of the Program in American Grand Strategy at Duke University.
Prof. Raul 'Pete' Pedrozo
Howard S. Levie Professor of the Law of Armed Conflict and Professor of International Law at U.S. Naval War College
Prof. Raul 'Pete' Pedrozo is the Howard S. Levie Professor of the Law of Armed Conflict and a Professor of International Law in the Stockton Center for International Law at the U.S. Naval War College.
Prof. Robert E. 'Bobby' Bishop
Associate Professor at Duke Law School
Prof. Robert E. 'Bobby' Bishop is an Associate Professor at Duke Law School.
Prof. Shane Stansbury
Robinson Everett Distinguished Fellow at Duke Law School
Prof. Shane Stansbury is the Robinson Everett Distinguished Fellow at Duke Law School.
Prof. Timothy Meyer
Richard Allen/Cravath Distinguished Professor in International Business Law at Duke Law School
Prof. Timothy Meyer is the Richard Allen/Cravath Distinguished Professor in International Business Law at Duke Law School.
Secretary Jocelyn Mitnaul Mallette
Department for Military and Veterans Affairs at State of North Carolina
Secretary Jocelyn Mitnaul Mallette is part of the Department for Military and Veterans Affairs for the State of North Carolina.
Event Details
- Date
- February 28, 2026
- Location
- 🇺🇸 Durham, United States
- Duke Law School
- Pricing
- Varies by tier
- Audience
- Legal professionals, policymakers, academics, and students interested in national security law.
- CLE Credits
- CLE hours are approved for NC and PA for 11.5 hours.