Panel discussion with reception to follow.

Sponsored by the Bar Association of the District of Columbia's Committee on National Security Law, Policy & Practice and the American Bar Association's Standing committee on Law & National Security.

A complex web of statutes, executive orders, regulations, and court decisions governs federal employees' access to, and disclosure of, national security information. Nevertheless, improper disclosure of such information to journalists and bloggers continues. Recent high-profile disclosures have spurred a federal reaction. The Obama administration has initiated the most wide-spread investigation of improper disclosures in recent years and has prosecuted six employees for improperly disclosing national security information, more than all previous administrations combined, according to the New York Times. Moreover, Congress is considering measures to prevent improper disclosures. Why do federal employees disclose information to the media? How should government attorneys counsel and educate their clients on this matter?

Speakers:

Dana Priest, National Security Reporter, Washington Post

John Rizzo, Former CIA Acting General Counsel & Deputy General Counsel

Neil MacBride, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia

David Laufman, Former Chief of Staff to the U.S. Deputy Attorney General and Federal Prosecutor

Event is free; advance registration is requested.