31st Annual National Security Law Conference
The 31st Annual National Security Law Conference, organized by Duke University's Center on Law, Ethics and National Security (LENS), took place on February 27-28, 2026, at Duke Law School in Durham, North Carolina. This esteemed event brought together leading experts, practitioners, and students to discuss pressing issues in national security law.
The conference featured a diverse array of topics, including national security law and business, space law, cyberwarfare targeting, nuclear weapons and the law of armed conflict, international criminal justice, and ethics in national security law practice. Notable sessions included a fireside chat with General CQ Brown, USAF (Ret.), former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and discussions led by esteemed scholars and practitioners such as Professor Chris Borgen, Professor Gary Corn, Colonel Ted Richard, USAF, Professor Mike Newton, and Professor Katie Kedian.
Attendees had the opportunity to engage in networking events, including a reception at the Washington Duke Inn, where they could interact with speakers and fellow participants. The conference also hosted an "Early Arrival" event focusing on careers in national security law, providing valuable insights for students and professionals alike. The event attracted a diverse audience, including law students, legal practitioners, military personnel, and policymakers, offering a platform for meaningful discussions and professional development in the field of national security law.
Speakers(40)
CQ Brown
General (Retired) at United States Air Force
General CQ Brown is a retired General of the United States Air Force, providing leadership insights in national security.
Chris Borgen
Professor at St. John's University School of Law
Chris Borgen is a Professor at St. John's University School of Law, specializing in space law and national security.
Col. Ted Richard, USAF
Colonel at United States Air Force
Col. Ted Richard is a Colonel in the United States Air Force.
Colonel Ted Richard
Colonel at United States Air Force
Colonel Ted Richard serves in the United States Air Force.
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.
Dean Cheng
Senior Fellow at Potomac Institute for Policy Studies
Dean Cheng is a Senior Fellow at the Potomac Institute for Policy Studies.
Dr. John Hillen
Distinguished Lecturing Fellow at Duke University's Center for Politics
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.
Dr. Kori Schake
Senior Fellow and Director of Foreign and Defense Policy Studies at American Enterprise Institute
Dr. Kori Schake is a Senior Fellow and Director of Foreign and Defense Policy Studies at the American Enterprise Institute.
Gary Corn
Professor at American University Washington College of Law
Gary Corn is a Professor at American University Washington College of Law, focusing on cyber warfare and targeting issues.
Gen. CQ Brown, USAF (Ret.)
Former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff at United States Air Force
Gen. CQ Brown is the former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and currently serves as an Executive in Residence at Duke University's Sanford School of Public Policy and Pratt School of Engineering.
General CQ Brown
Former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff at United States Air Force
General CQ Brown is the former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and currently serves as an Executive in Residence at Duke University's Sanford School of Public Policy and Pratt School of Engineering.
Hensey A. Fenton III
Deputy General Counsel, Privacy and Digital Governance at COMCAST
Hensey A. Fenton III serves as Deputy General Counsel for Privacy and Digital Governance at COMCAST, focusing on privacy and digital governance issues.
Jennifer S. Zucker
Partner and Co-Head of the Government Contracts Practice Group at Vinson & Elkins
Jennifer S. Zucker is a Partner and Co-Head of the Government Contracts Practice Group at Vinson & Elkins, with extensive experience in government contracts law.
Jocelyn Mitnaul Mallette
Secretary at Department for Military and Veterans Affairs, State of North Carolina
Jocelyn Mitnaul Mallette is the Secretary of the Department for Military and Veterans Affairs for the State of North Carolina, overseeing military and veteran affairs.
John Hillen
Distinguished Lecturing Fellow at Duke University
John Hillen is a Distinguished Lecturing Fellow at Duke University, offering expertise in national security and business.
Katie Kedian
Professor at University of Virginia School of Law
Katie Kedian is a Professor at the University of Virginia School of Law, specializing in ethics and the practice of national security law.
Mike Newton
Professor at Vanderbilt University Law School
Mike Newton is a Professor at Vanderbilt University Law School, offering updates on international criminal justice.
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, Cyber Legal at Visa, Inc.
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 is Legal Counsel at Kalshi Financial Services.
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 is the Associate Dean of Academics at the National War College.
Prof. Chris Borgen
Professor at St. John's University School of Law
Prof. Chris Borgen is a professor at St. John's University School of Law.
Prof. Gary Corn
Adjunct Professor at Georgetown University Law Center
Prof. Gary Corn is an adjunct professor at Georgetown University Law Center.
Prof. Katie Kedian
Professor at Duke Law School
Prof. Katie Kedian is a professor at Duke Law School.
Prof. Mike Newton
Professor at Vanderbilt University Law School
Prof. Mike Newton is a professor at Vanderbilt University Law School.
Prof. Peter Feaver
Director at Duke's American Grand Strategy Program
Prof. Peter Feaver is the Director of Duke's American Grand Strategy Program.
Prof. Raul (Pete) Pedrozo
Howard S. Levie Professor of the Law of Armed Conflict at U.S. Naval War College
Prof. Raul (Pete) Pedrozo is the Howard S. Levie Professor of the Law of Armed Conflict and professor of International Law in the Stockton Center for International Law at the U.S. Naval War College.
Prof. Shane Stansbury
Professor at Duke Law School
Prof. Shane Stansbury is a professor at Duke Law School.
Professor Adam Oler
Associate Dean of Academics at National War College
Professor Adam Oler is the Associate Dean of Academics at the National War College.
Professor Chris Borgen
Professor at St. John's University School of Law
Professor Chris Borgen is a professor at St. John's University School of Law.
Professor Gary Corn
Professor at American University Washington College of Law
Professor Gary Corn is a professor at American University Washington College of Law.
Professor Katie Kedian
Professor at University of Virginia School of Law
Professor Katie Kedian is a professor at the University of Virginia School of Law.
Professor Mike Newton
Professor at Vanderbilt University Law School
Professor Mike Newton is a professor at Vanderbilt University Law School.
Professor Peter Feaver
Director at Duke's American Grand Strategy Program
Professor Peter Feaver is the Director of Duke's American Grand Strategy Program.
Professor Raul (Pete) Pedrozo
Howard S. Levie Professor of the Law of Armed Conflict at U.S. Naval War College
Professor Raul (Pete) Pedrozo is the Howard S. Levie Professor of the Law of Armed Conflict and professor of International Law in the Stockton Center for International Law at the U.S. Naval War College.
Professor Shane Stansbury
Professor at Duke Law School
Professor Shane Stansbury is a professor at Duke Law School.
Robert DeNault
Legal Counsel at Kalshi Financial Services
Robert DeNault serves as Legal Counsel at Kalshi Financial Services, specializing in legal aspects of financial services.
Secretary Jocelyn Mitnaul Mallette
Secretary at Department for Military and Veterans Affairs, State of North Carolina
Secretary Jocelyn Mitnaul Mallette serves as the Secretary of the Department for Military and Veterans Affairs for the State of North Carolina.
Ted Richard
Colonel at United States Air Force
Colonel Ted Richard serves in the United States Air Force, providing expertise on nuclear weapons and the law of armed conflict.
Event Details
- Date
- February 26-28, 2026
- 3 days
- Location
- 🇺🇸 Durham, United States
- Duke Law School
- Pricing
- Varies by tier
- Audience
- Law students, legal practitioners, military personnel, policymakers, and individuals interested in national security law.
- CLE Credits
- 11.5 CLE hours including 1.0 ethics
- Attendees
- Approximately 200 attendees, including students from 27 schools across the country.