On February 12, 2025, the GW Law National Security, Cybersecurity, & Foreign Relations Law Program, with the National Security Law Association, hosted a webinar with Distinguished Professorial Lecturer in National Security Law Dan Stigall on Mapping National Security Power in the United States. The webinar offered GW Law’s students, faculty, and staff the opportunity to learn more about the inner workings of various federal government departments and agencies within the United States national security framework, as well as hear insights from Professor Stigall about his career in the U.S. Departments of Defense and Justice (DOJ).
Professor Stigall served as an attorney with the National Security Division of the U.S. DOJ for over a decade and from 2017–19, he served as a Director for Counterterrorism with the National Security Council, where he focused on detainee policy and served as lead author and interagency coordinator for the U.S. National Strategy for Counterterrorism. Professor Stigall has served in multiple roles in DOJ as both a policy advisor and trial attorney, including several years in DOJ’s Office of International Affairs. He served on active duty as a U.S. Army Judge Advocate (“JAG”) from 2001–09, with assignments in Europe, the Middle East, and the United States. Professor Stigall researches and writes on issues related to international law, comparative law, and national security.
Pulling from his significant experience and expertise in government service, Professor Stigall gave an overview of national security agencies in the U.S. government. From the National Security Council to federal law enforcement agencies to the State Department, Professor Stigall broke down the various roles of government agencies in maintaining the national security infrastructure in the United States while tying them back to legal careers in these agencies and offices. He also emphasized the importance of the role of legal education and experience for positions in the policy and operations areas in these agencies.
During the question-and-answer portion of the event, Professor Stigall gave encouraging career advice to students and discussed the transition from law to policy work. He shared options and pathways for young lawyers and students looking into a career in government service, despite the challenges of ongoing current events. Professor Stigall also gave an overview of his current work and the importance of a legal education and experience in policy work.
