Today, I’ll update you on the 31st Annual National Security Law Conference, let you know about our “Early Arrival Event”, and introduce you to our LENS Scholars for 2026, as well as our 2026 cadre of LENS Ambassadors.

LENS Conference

The hot news here is that the North Carolina Bar has approved the conference for 11.5 hours of Continuing Legal Education (CLE), including one hour of ethics.  We are awaiting approval from Pennsylvania.  

While we can’t guarantee results, past experience shows that attendees have often been able to use those CLE approvals for credit in other jurisdictions.

If you want to attend the conference, the time to register is now, as we are rapidly approaching capacity.

Conference “Early Arrival Event” 

I am especially pleased to tell you that we’ll be having an “Early Arrival” event on Thursday, February 26, from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. here at the Law School in Room 3037.  (This event does not require conference registration)

I’m excited to moderate this panel because it illustrates the range of national security issues that can arise in a law practice today.  Here’s the all-star lineup:

Panelist: Mr. Robert DeNault, Legal Counsel, Kalshi Financial Services

Panelist: Secretary Jocelyn Mitnaul Mallette, Department for Military and Veterans Affairs, State of North Carolina)

Panelist: Ms. Jennfier S. Zucker, Partner and Co-Head of the Government Contracts Practice Group, Vinson & Elkins

Panelist: Mr. Hensey A. Fenton III, Deputy General Counsel, Privacy and Digital Governance, COMCAST

Two of our panelists are Duke Law grads who began their careers in ‘big law’ but now practice with commercial entities.  Additionally, Secretary Mallette was an Air Force judge advocate (JAG), and Ms. Zucker is currently a colonel in the Army JAG Corps reserve.  In short, a wide variety of experiences will be represented in what will surely be a fascinating discussion.

LENS Scholars

A key part of Duke’s Center on Law, Ethics & National Security’s (LENS) mission is to help build the next generation of national and – really – international security leaders. In 2018, we debuted the “LENS Scholar Program” at our annual National Security Law Conference to support future leaders in the field.

Selected professors from across the country are asked to pick top students interested in national security issues.  Thanks to generous donors, we can facilitate the Scholars’ attendance at the Conference.

For these promising future military and civilian lawyers, government and non-profit leaders, and policy advisors, attending the LENS Conference can be transformational.  

Here are the 27 schools represented and their Scholars:

Here are a few of the Scholars attending:

LENS Ambassadors

No conference of this size can be presented without a team of energetic student supporters.  For the LENS Conference we call them “Ambassadors” as they welcome both the Scholars and you to the Conference!  This year’s Ambassadors include:

Here are most of the Ambassadors you’ll see at the Conference!

Can you help support the Scholars, the Ambassadors, and the LENS mission in general?  

Build the future. Ensure the future of young leaders in national and international security. Give today!

You can easily donate online right here.

Donations are tax-deductible as provided by law.

For further information regarding gifts to LENS, please contact: Ms. Halley House at halley.house@law.duke.edu; or 919-613-8572

You can also write a check to “Duke Law School” with “Donation to LENS” written on the memo line.

You can mail it directly to:

Alumni & Development Records
Duke University School of Law
210 Science Drive
PO Box 90389
Durham, NC 27708

Download the contribution form

Thank-you!

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REGISTER NOW FOR DUKE’S

31st ANNUAL

NATIONAL SECURITY LAW CONFERENCE

The conference is nearing capacity!

Info: https://law.duke.edu/lens/conference/2026 

Please register now as the Conference is approaching capacity!