National Security Crisis Law Simulation
Georgetown Law hosts the premier national security simulation in the field, the National Security Crisis Law Simulation.
In March 2018, Georgetown Law hosted the National Security Crisis Law Invitational, an intense, complex, full-scale simulation in which 12 crisis storylines unfolded over the course of a week. This was the 10th anniversary of the simulation, and it was the largest and most complex exercise run by Sim Director Laura Donohue.
In this year’s sim, 115 students participated in the Sim, hailing from law schools across the U.S., Canada, as well as the U.K. and Australia.
Professor Laura Donohue is the Sim Director, and relies on help from over 100 control team members, composed of alumni, government officials, and leaders in the national security infrastructure.
“The simulation was the best practical exercise that I have ever participated in from a legal perspective. I have had the opportunity to do a variety of realistic training with the U.S. Army, but it tends to focus on the operational aspects of a scenario and the legal and policy concerns tend to be secondary. The large amount of resources and planning as well as the knowledge and expertise of the control team made the simulation an invaluable learning experience for me in the area of national security law.” 2018 Simulation Student
“The most comprehensive and practical academic experience I’ve ever had.” 2018 Simulation Student
Students navigate multiple crises
President Mary DeRosa chairs a National Security Council meeting in the situation room
Official Team Assessor Tia Johnson gives team FEMA feedback
Former CNN and ABC News anchor Jeanne Meserve leads a Crisis Communications training at the Sim kickoff luncheon
Official Observer and former Director of National Intelligence gives advice to future national security lawyers, in an interview with CNN correspondent Carrie Cordero. The video was shared with all the participants and control team members at the conclusion of the exercise.
Video News Network anchor Tom McSorley interviews Seattle Police Chief who is in crisis mode
Behind the scenes, the 100 person control team creates the multiple crises that dominate the simulation
The control team works tirelessly - including overnight - to ensure that the teams are being challenged in the prepared scenarios
The Penn Law team had the privilege of meeting their team's assigned mentor, former Director of National Intelligence James Clapper, at the sim.
Sim Director Professor Laura Donohue addresses the participants at the conclusion of the exercise
The sim's Attorney General and a member of the Control Team meet face to face after the sim, at the closing reception
Current and former government officials William Kroener (FDIC), Rosemary Hart (OLC), Nancy Fortenberry (CIA), and David Kris (NSD) are the official Judges of the simulation.
Georgetown Law students are all smiles *after* the sim.
Georgetown hosted nine sim teams from seven Canadian law schools, DOJ Canada, and Canada Office of the Judge Advocate General