Antonin Scalia Law School

George Mason graduate programs rank #1 in Virginia and Top 50 nationally according to U.S. News

ckearney — Mon, 06 Apr 2026 19:24:03 +0000

George Mason graduate programs rank #1 in Virginia and Top 50 nationally according to U.S. News ckearney Mon, 04/06/2026 - 15:24

According to the U.S. News & World Report Best Graduate Program rankings, 91�� placed 20 programs in the national top 50, including seven in the top 10, reflecting broad strength across business, engineering, law, nursing and public health, public policy, education, fine arts, and sciences. Regionally, seven programs ranked in the top three in the Washington, D.C., region, with 13 programs topping at No. 1 in Virginia.

Photo by Evan Cantwell/Office of University Branding

"George Mason's growth in rankings is a direct reflection of the university’s commitment to student success through high-quality, career-focused graduate education," said Ajay Vinze, interim provost and executive vice president. "George Mason’s programs are competing at the highest levels nationally and leading the way in Virginia. This expansion signals not just the breadth of what we offer, but the strength of what we deliver."

Of the 21 George Mason programs newly represented this year, 15 earned rankings for George Mason for the first time. The remaining six appeared in categories that U.S. News had not been updated in several years, including doctoral programs in science disciplines and the master of fine arts last updated in 2020.

Policy Leads the Region

Public policy specialty areas were among the strongest performers this year, placing all seven of its ranked subject areas in the top 50 nationally and in the top 25 among public universities. Six subject areas ranked No. 1 in Virginia overall, and four ranked No. 1 in the Washington, D.C., region among public universities.

"As we mark the 10th anniversary of the school’s naming, these rankings speak to what the Schar School has become over the past decade: a place of real national consequence in public affairs education," said Mark Rozell, dean of the Schar School of Policy and Government. "From homeland security and nonprofit management to international global policy and public finance, these rankings reflect the breadth of the Schar School’s excellence and the growing national recognition of its strengths.”

That strength comes amid rising national demand for public service professionals, with employment in public administration projected to increase 6% from 2021 to 2031, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The homeland security and emergency management ranking maintained its position at 4th nationally and among public universities, and No. 1 in Virginia. George Mason was the sole Virginia institution included in both the public management and leadership and nonprofit management specialty areas, with each ranking in the top 20 among public universities nationally. Two new areas of strength debuted this year: international global policy and administration, which ranked No. 1 in Virginia and for the Washington, D.C., region, 15th nationally, and 4th among public universities, and the public finance and budgeting program placed 31st nationally, 25th among public universities, and 2nd in Virginia.

Where Business Leaders Begin

Business programs significantly expanded their presence this year, with 12 programs ranked as among the best in their categories. Eleven are newly ranked for George Mason, with seven placing in the top 50 among public universities. Three programs ranked No. 1 in Virginia, including one that also placed as the No. 1 ranked program in the Washington, D.C., region.

The part-time Costello Flex MBA program continued its upward trajectory, rising from 80th to 59th nationally, and to 37th among public universities. The part-time Costello Flex MBA, MS in accounting, MS in management, and graduate marketing certificate programs each ranked 2nd in Virginia. Among newly ranked graduate certificate programs, the information systems management certificate ranked No. 1 in Virginia. International business, which is predominant across Costello graduate programs through the college’s global residency experience, is also ranked No. 1 in Virginia.

"Our continued collaboration with business and industry supports strong career outcomes and contributes to growth in student enrollment," said Cheryl Druehl, interim dean of the Costello College of Business. "The expansion of programs comes at a time when demand is growing for professionals who combine durable business skills—from critical thinking and decision-making—with technical expertise in areas like business analytics and operations."

Computing and Engineering Drive STEM Growth

George Mason is ranked in nine programs across engineering, computer science, and statistics, with seven programs placing in the top 50 among public universities and eight in the top three in Virginia. The university is one of five (or fewer) Virginia universities included in eight programs.

In the engineering schools ranking, George Mason rose to 76th nationally (up from 85th) and 47th among public universities. The systems and industrial engineering program stands out at 35th nationally and 25th among public universities, while statistics debuted in the top 50 nationally (49th) and among public universities (35th). All three programs ranked 3rd in Virginia.

"We build programs that combine strong disciplinary foundations with applied problem solving to prepare students for an evolving workforce," said Ken Ball, dean of the College of Engineering and Computing. "Launching Virginia’s first standalone master of science in AI reflects that commitment, while our applied research centers, like the Rapid Prototyping Research Center, drive growing research expenditures that lead to higher overall rankings.”

Nursing and Public Health Rank No. 1 in Virginia

Continuing to set the standard for health education in Virginia, three programs ranked No. 1 in the commonwealth: master’s in nursing, doctor of nursing practice (DNP), and public health.

The master’s in nursing ranks among the top 12% of all universities included, placing 18th nationally and 9th among public universities. The DNP and health care management program both ranked in the top 50 nationally—33rd and 35th respectively—and in the top 20 among public universities at 20th and 19th. Public health ranked 63rd nationally and 39th among public universities.

"These results reflect what makes our college distinctive—expanding access to excellence while maintaining the highest standards of quality," said Melissa Perry, College of Public Health dean. "Students should not have to choose between opportunity and academic rigor. At George Mason, we are committed to preparing a diverse, workforce-ready generation of public health and health care leaders by delivering programs that are accessible, innovative, and deeply connected to the communities we serve."

That mission comes at a time of sustained and growing demand for nursing professionals nationwide. Nurses now represent more than half of the U.S. health workforce, underscoring the importance of George Mason’s programs in preparing graduates to meet critical health care needs."

Law Holds Strong

The Antonin Scalia Law School maintained its strong positioning with the part-time law program rising to 6th nationally, placing it in the top 8% of programs, and 3rd among public universities.

“Employment of our graduates reached 97% in a very competitive market,” said Ken Randall, Allison and Dorothy Rouse dean and 91�� Foundation Professor of Law. “These outcomes bode well for the school’s long-term success.”

Leadership Across Disciplines

U.S. News expanded and refreshed its rankings to include four George Mason science programs and a master of fine arts. These programs, along with education and clinical psychology, rank in the top four in Virginia and the top 10 in the Washington, D.C., region.

George Mason’s math program is 3rd in Virginia, placing 93rd nationally. "As emerging fields like AI, digital twins, and data science accelerate, mathematics remains the foundation that fuels innovation," said Cody W. Edwards, dean of the College of Science. "George Mason’s graduate mathematical sciences program prepares students with the analytical depth, applied expertise, and mentorship needed to solve complex challenges across fields such as health, space, sustainability, and government, while leading in a rapidly evolving workforce."

In education, George Mason remains 4th in Virginia, rising to 84th nationally and 70th among public universities."This recognition underscores the excellence and real-world impact of our graduate programs," said Ingrid Guerra-López, dean of the College of Education and Human Development. “We are steadfast in our commitment to developing future-ready educators and leaders who possess the skills, adaptability, and vision needed to succeed in an evolving educational landscape.”

Clinical psychology improved its national standing to 100th nationally, and to 72nd among public universities, while maintaining its position in 4th in Virginia. "This advancement reflects the contributions of our faculty and their impact to student success," said Ann L. Ardis, dean of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences. “Through the Center for Community Mental Health, our PhD students gain hands-on experience delivering evidence-based, culturally responsive care, preparing them to serve veterans, hospitals, and communities most in need."

The master of fine arts program ranked 65th among public universities, and 2nd in Virginia and in the Washington, D.C., region among public universities. "Our MFA is distinguished by the intensely personal journey of discovery that it offers," said Rick Davis, dean of the College of Visual and Performing Arts. “Our students are working artists who have a vision and a mission, and they come to us to explore how to make it grow.”

To view the full list of all programs included, visit gmu.edu/rankings.

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From the Classroom to the Community: Cybersecurity in Action

Katarina Benson — Thu, 19 Mar 2026 17:38:31 +0000

From the Classroom to the Community: Cybersecurity in Action Katarina Benson Thu, 03/19/2026 - 13:38

91�� and Howard University have launched a new collaborative effort to prepare the next generation of cybersecurity and artificial intelligence (AI) professionals while strengthening the digital resilience of community based organizations.

From left, Cybersecurity + AI Clinic students Courtney Gill, Isabella Floyd, Michael Niebergall, and Sam Roland working with instructor Ali Jessani. Photo by Ron Aira/Office of University Branding

The Cybersecurity + AI Clinic, a partnership between the National Security Institute’s Cyber and Tech Center (NSI CTC) at George Mason’s Antonin Scalia Law School and the Howard University School of Business (HUSB), welcomed its first cohort earlier this academic year.

The one-year program blends rigorous academic preparation with hands-on service, giving students the opportunity to apply what they learn in the classroom to real-world cybersecurity challenges. Supported by a seven-year, $1 million grant from Google, George Mason and Howard were selected to establish a cybersecurity and AI clinic that provides free support to nonprofits, local agencies, and other under-resourced organizations. As a member of the Consortium of Cybersecurity Clinics, the program engages in faculty-level collaboration, shared learning, and ongoing development of best practices at the intersection of cybersecurity, law, and technology.

“AI is transforming every corner of our national security landscape, and cybersecurity has long been a critical concern for enterprises large and small,” says Jamil Jaffer, founder and executive director of NSI and principal investigator for the clinic. “We need leaders who understand both technology and policy and can apply them in practice. That is exactly what the clinic enables students to do. By tackling real challenges faced by our clients, students gain the hands-on, innovation-driven experience needed to lead in a world where cyber and AI touch every part of our society.”

The inaugural class includes 14 students: eight law students from George Mason and six HUSB undergraduates with a mix of computer science and mechanical engineering backgrounds. The cohort reflects George Mason’s bold educational approach to the interdisciplinary nature of today’s cybersecurity and AI landscape by bringing together students who can analyze problems from technical, legal, and policy perspectives.

Clinic instructor Kathryn Ciano Mauler leads a class discussion. Photo by Ron Aira/Office of University Branding

In the fall 2025 semester, Howard students traveled to George Mason’s Fuse at Mason Square to attend class alongside Scalia Law students and gained a strong foundation in cybersecurity, risk management, data governance and privacy, and AI concepts. Two instructors—Kathryn Ciano Mauler, a product counsel attorney at Google, and Ali Jessani, counsel at WilmerHale in privacy, cybersecurity, and AI law—guided the students through their coursework.

“This clinic is truly a unique experience for students because it provides them with an opportunity to apply the knowledge and skills they learn in the classroom in a real-world setting,” says Jessani. “While some classes offer doctrinal lessons and others offer applied skills, this clinic provides students with both.”

“Here they learn not just the nuts and bolts of privacy and cybersecurity, but also the experience of speaking with clients, thinking on the spot, and tying together diverse experiences and issue spotting to provide real-world value in a supervised setting,” says Mauler. “The clinic classroom has brought together a diversity of experience across undergrad and law school students and their perspectives in a rich discussion.”

In addition to coursework, the students have gained professional skills essential for client-facing work, including learning how to conduct client interviews, present technical findings to nontechnical audiences, navigate project challenges, and draft written Recommendations.

Scalia Law School student Mike Niebergall says he applied to the clinic because he’s interested in how technologies like AI will affect the entertainment industry and the commercial world in general. “I have a background in music. With no cybersecurity or computer science background, the clinic has been incredibly eye-opening and has taught me how cybersecurity practices apply across many different spaces.”

“I wanted to gain experience learning how to work within legal frameworks to protect business operations and consumers with the rise of AI usage,” says HUSB undergraduate Courtney Gill. “As a senior at Howard University interested in practicing law, [I felt] the class simulated what it feels like to be in a law school classroom.”

“While many of my law classes asked me to consider harms that had already occurred, the clinic challenged me to think about managing risk and preventing legal liability from arising in the first place,” says Scalia Law School student Liam McGettigan. “For anyone interested in learning how to run an organization—and understanding the unavoidable challenges of the digital world—the Cybersecurity + AI Clinic should be on your radar.”

Some students, like law student Tate Kaufman, have been able to immediately apply what they learned in class. “The clinic has provided an invaluable look into the work of cyberlaw practitioners, while enabling me to stay on the cutting edge of AI law,” says Kaufman. “Knowledge from the clinic directly translated to my work as a clerk on the Senate Judiciary Committee, where I worked on issues relating to the emergence of generative AI and copyright.”

Entering the spring semester, students transitioned to hands-on client work, a core part of the clinic’s community-focused mission. Working in small groups of three to four students, and supported by expert instructors, each group is partnered with a client organization that may not have the expertise or resources to manage cybersecurity risk on their own.

The first group of clients includes the Arlington Free Clinic, Washington, D.C.-based Bread for the City, Center for Child and Family Advocacy in Arlington, and the charter school Digital Pioneer Academy.

Photo by Ron Aira/Office of University Branding

NSI CTC continues to welcome new partners who are looking to strengthen their cybersecurity resilience, and the clinic has a goal of increasing the number of clients served each clinic cycle.

Under the guidance of instructors and the leadership of Clinic Director Jessica Jones, students are providing a range of services for their clients, including conducting cybersecurity risk assessments; mapping organizational vulnerabilities; reviewing or drafting cybersecurity, AI-use, or incident response policies; and providing practical recommendations tailored to strengthen an organization’s overall security posture.

In May, students formally present their findings and recommendations to client representatives. They also present to their fellow students, with each group highlighting project results, sharing real-world challenges they faced, and reflecting on the lessons learned throughout their client engagements. The clinic’s year-long experience is a core part of preparing students for careers in a cyber field that increasingly demands interdisciplinary understanding and practical experience.

Admission to the program is competitive. Howard students apply as rising seniors, and George Mason students currently come from the law school. Applicants are not required to have prior cybersecurity experience—just interest and a willingness to engage.

All participants receive a stipend, helping ensure that financial barriers do not prevent qualified students from participating.

Looking ahead, the clinic anticipates welcoming students from a broader range of disciplines and additional George Mason programs, such as public policy, engineering, and business, to strengthen the interdisciplinary preparation needed to address evolving cyber and AI challenges.

George Mason Tops Harvard, Yale as Trump Judge Law School Source

ckearney — Tue, 03 Mar 2026 16:00:15 +0000

George Mason Tops Harvard, Yale as Trump Judge Law School Source ckearney Tue, 03/03/2026 - 11:00

The Antonin Scalia Law School is highlighted. Read more in Bloomberg Law.

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The un-forgotten founder: How George Mason’s legacy lives on

sholla4 — Wed, 10 Dec 2025 19:21:05 +0000

The un-forgotten founder: How George Mason’s legacy lives on sholla4 Wed, 12/10/2025 - 14:21

“That all men are by nature equally free and independent and have certain inherent rights, of which, when they enter into a state of society...namely, the enjoyment of life and liberty...pursuing and obtaining happiness and safety.”

The Virginia Declaration of Rights, penned by George Mason IV, begins with this bold proclamation. It’s a familiar opening: the Declaration of Independence, arguably the more famous document between the two, reads, “we hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.”

Yet George Mason’s name isn’t on the Constitution, despite his obvious influence. The first 3-D depiction of him in the United States wasn’t erected until 1996, on 91��’s Fairfax Campus. He is considered the “Forgotten Founder.”

Now, on George Mason’s 300th birthday, we come with a question: What is a legacy? What does it mean to be remembered?

Photo by Andani Munkaila/Office of University Branding

George Mason, the man, was born on December 11, 1725, in present-day Fairfax County, Virginia. His home, Gunston Hall, sits on the Potomac River less than 20 miles southeast of 91��’s Fairfax Campus.

From drafting Virginia's first constitution and the Virginia Declaration of Rights to declaring it the “Commonwealth of Virginia” instead of a state, Mason built the foundation of the place 91�� would first call its home. And his influence extends far beyond the commonwealth’s borders: his Virginia Declaration of Rights is said to have influenced the United States Declaration of Independence and Bill of Rights, as well as human rights declarations across the globe.

At the “The Un-Forgotten Founder,” an event hosted Dec. 8 by the Law and Economics Center at the Scalia Law School, panelists examined the complicated legacy of a man who, they believe, was unconcerned with how he might be remembered. He did not leave behind troves of primary sources as other founding fathers did; he stayed steadfast in his refusal to sign the Constitution because it did not include a Bill of Rights; he had no alliances or allegiances to any one school of thought.

Much of Mason’s life is hidden in the gaps between a small pool of primary sources. And in those gaps, we find echoes of a complicated and conflicted legacy: His firm pronouncement of inalienable rights for “all men” and rejection of the international slave trade did not extend to those enslaved people of Gunston Hall, for example.

Intellectual curiosity was one of Mason’s defining characteristics. And it is in the complexities of Mason’s life and legacy that we see the echoes of the founding father most strongly. That history becomes a pathway through which students can wrestle with big ideas, ask complex questions, and learn how to sit with contradiction and juxtaposition.

“The limited sources we had on Mason were an opportunity to use him and his legacy as a teaching tool, to help students learn and engage critically with the complexities of the past,” said George Oberle, director of the Center for Mason Legacies at 91��. In fact, the project that formed the foundation for the Center for Mason Legacies was a student-directed summer project: “The Enslaved Children of George Mason," which also inspired the Enslaved People of George Mason installation near his statue on Wilkins Plaza on the Fairfax Campus.

Because this is where the real learning begins for George Mason students. That insatiable thirst for knowledge, the unwillingness to accept what is simply because that is how it has always been: These same things that motivated Mason to pen the Virginia Declaration of Rights continue to push our students to new heights. To ask hard questions and to be unafraid of the complexities of the answers is how 91�� prepares its students to tackle the grand challenges of the 21st century.

Much has changed since Mason’s signature dried on those documents that shaped the future of the United States of America. Stepping into a 91�� classroom in 2025, the tableau unfolds: a commuter student from Fairfax sitting next to an international student, speaking to a U.S. Army veteran with a 20-year career who is working on a presentation with a first-generation college student.

We can’t know what future Mason envisioned when he penned the opening line in 1776—and who he believed deserved that future. But that’s the thing about legacy and history: Each new generation gets to look at the evidence with a fresh perspective. And with the groundwork laid by Mason in 1776, 91�� has become a place where “all men” means everyone is given the opportunity to embrace intellectual curiosity and create a legacy of their own.

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M-VETS advocates for George Mason alum at Board of Veterans’ hearing

ckearney — Mon, 13 Oct 2025 16:02:56 +0000

M-VETS advocates for George Mason alum at Board of Veterans’ hearing ckearney Mon, 10/13/2025 - 12:02

In September, Antonin Scalia Law School’s Mason Veterans and Servicemembers Legal Clinic (M-VETS) advocated for a 91�� alumnus and U.S. Air Force veteran before the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) Board of Veterans’ Appeals (BVA).

Anthony Mancini. Photo provided

The hearing involved a 2019 claim for secondary service-connection for a nerve injury, or radiculopathy, in the client’s right leg, which an administrative law judge heard after five years of litigation with the DVA. Scalia Law student and student advisor Anthony (Tony) Mancini conducted the hearing under the supervision of M-VETS director Timothy M. MacArthur.

M-VETS originally filed the claim on behalf of the alum who had injured her lower back while loading a KC-135 aircraft during Operation Southern Watch in Saudi Arabia. After her discharge from service, the veteran was service-connected for degenerative disc disease of her spine, and with the assistance of M-VETS, the DVA granted service-connection for her left leg radiculopathy but denied it for the right leg. As a result, M-VETS filed a brief before the BVA and requested a personal appearance to argue the matter before the judge.

Due to the lengthy litigation of this issue, many M-VETS student advisors worked on the matter during their time in the clinic.

“This entire process has been an invaluable experience that goes far beyond anything I could have learned in a law school classroom,” said Mancini of the opportunity. “I am proud that I was a part of an organization that works for the people who have selflessly sacrificed in the service of their country.”

MacArthur said Mancini did a great job advocating for the client. He conducted a pre-hearing informal conference with the judge, presented an opening statement, performed a direct examination with our client, and delivered a closing argument.

“At certain points during the hearing, the judge posed questions to Tony regarding the case and evidence presented, and Tony was able to respond to those questions and further our client’s arguments,” said MacArthur. “At an informal post-hearing conference, the judge provided positive feedback to [Mancini] regarding his performance and preparation for the hearing, which was valuable to Tony’s development as a future attorney,”

Regarding the assistance she received from M-VETS, the client stated, “I am truly grateful to Mr. MacArthur and Mr. Mancini for their guidance and for taking my case. Their representation was not only exceptional, but it also reflected the most up-to-date practices of the learning-teaching environment, which gave me great confidence throughout the process. I could not have been more pleased, and I know Tony will go on to become an outstanding lawyer. This meant so much to me and my family.”

M-VETS continues to represent the George Mason alum while awaiting a decision by the BVA judge on the contested issue.

M-VETS enables students to assist active-duty members of the armed forces, their families, and veterans in a wide variety of administrative, litigation, and nonlitigation matters. This includes appeals of denials of Department of Veterans Affairs disability compensation and educational claims, representation before the Board of Veterans’ Appeals and Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, applications for discharge upgrades or military records correction before the Boards for Correction of Military Records and Discharge Review Boards.

“Being an M-VETS student advisor over the past two semesters has made me a better litigator for the future. For that, I am grateful,” said Mancini, who is working at the U.S. Court of Appeal for Veterans Claims as a judicial intern this fall.

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Scalia Law alumna receives Supreme Court clerkship

ckearney — Tue, 02 Sep 2025 18:37:35 +0000

Scalia Law alumna receives Supreme Court clerkship ckearney Tue, 09/02/2025 - 14:37

91�� alumna Tiffany H. Bates, JD ’18, has been selected to serve as a clerk for U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas during the 2026 Term. The prestigious appointment is one of the highest honors in the legal profession and reflects both Bates’s exceptional legal acumen and the growing national reputation of Antonin Scalia Law School’s alumni.

Tiffany H. Bates. Photo provided

Bates currently serves as an associate at boutique law firm Consovoy McCarthy PLLC, where she focuses on constitutional law, administrative law, and commercial litigation. Prior to joining the firm, she clerked for the Honorable Kyle Duncan of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit.

In addition to her legal practice, Bates remains connected to the law school, contributing her time and expertise to Scalia Law’s Supreme Court Clinic and Administrative Law Clinic.

With this appointment, Bates becomes the fifth Scalia Law alum to clerk at the nation’s highest court. This milestone underscores the law school’s dedication to cultivating top legal talent and providing students with pathways to the highest levels of the profession.

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Law student represents combat veteran at Board of Veterans’ appeals hearing

Katarina Benson — Mon, 16 Jun 2025 21:02:48 +0000

Law student represents combat veteran at Board of Veterans’ appeals hearing Katarina Benson Mon, 06/16/2025 - 17:02

In May, a 91�� law student, working with the Mason Veterans and Servicemembers Legal Clinic (M-VETS), advocated for a U.S. combat veteran before an administrative law judge at a hearing before the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) Board of Veterans’ Appeals (BVA).

From left, M-VETS Client Richard Fahlman, Student Advisor Samantha Hargis, and M-VETS Director Timothy M. MacArthur. Photo provided

Founded in 2004, the M-VETS clinic enables Antonin Scalia Law School students to assist veterans, servicemembers, and their dependents with military/veteran/DVA administrative matters, including disability compensation and educational benefits appeals, discharge upgrades, and Boards for Correction of Military Records matters.

This case centered on a veteran’s 2016 claim for an increased rating for a service-connected disability resulting from an improvised explosive device attack in Afghanistan, which led to the veteran’s medical separation from the Army.

Originally, Army veteran Richard Fahlman received a 20% rating for his injury, but based on new medical evidence, M-VETS filed a request in 2019 to increase this rating to 40%. The DVA initially denied the request. Had the 40% rating been approved, Fahlman would have been medically retired and received all the benefits accompanying that status, including much-needed health care. In response to the DVA’s rejection, M-VETS filed a motion alleging a Clear and Unmistakable Error (CUE).

“I’m glad our client reached out to M-VETS, and we could advocate on his behalf at this hearing,” said M-VETS Director Timothy M. MacArthur. “Our position was that the decision review officer had made a CUE error, contradicting federal law and regulatory standards.”

Many Scalia Law students, called student advisors at M-VETS, worked diligently on behalf of the client during case preparations. Student advisor Samantha Hargis was chosen to conduct the hearing under MacArthur’s supervision.

“Working on this matter for our client was an incredible opportunity,” said Hargis, who graduated from George Mason with a JD in May. “I am deeply grateful to the student advisors who came before me and laid a solid foundation for our argument at the hearing, our client for his commitment and collaboration throughout the process, and my supervising attorney for his invaluable guidance and support.”

“Ms. Hargis did a phenomenal job arguing the motion and presenting evidence during the hearing,” MacArthur said. “Sam conducted a pre-hearing conference with the judge, delivered an opening statement, conducted a direct examination of our client, and delivered an impactful closing, effectively arguing our position.”

MacArthur said the DVA benefits process allows M-VETS student advisors to gain practical experience in a nonadversarial setting, while providing valuable pro bono services to veterans.

“Mr. MacArthur and Ms. Hargis put their heart, time, and soul into developing my defense, and I couldn’t have asked for a better legal team. Without M-VETS, combat veterans like me wouldn’t have a voice,” Fahlman said.

M-VETS continues to work with the veteran while the hearing outcome is pending.

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Adam White slated for nomination to the Board of Directors of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting

ckearney — Wed, 04 Dec 2024 19:12:50 +0000

Adam White slated for nomination to the Board of Directors of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting ckearney Wed, 12/04/2024 - 14:12

On November 14, 2024, President Biden announced his intent to nominate Adam J. White to the Board of Directors for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB). The CPB’s board members are nominated by the President of the United States and confirmed by the U.S. Senate. Members terms run for six years.

Adam J. White. Photo provided

White is the executive director of the C. Boyden Gray Center for the Study of the Administrative State at the Antonin Scalia Law School of 91��. In addition to his role at Scalia Law, he holds the Laurence Silberman Chair in Constitutional Governance and is a Senior Fellow at the American Enterprise Institute (AEI).

White is also a Senior Fellow at the Administrative Conference of the United States. In 2021, he was appointed to the Presidential Commission on the Supreme Court of the United States. Prior to his current roles, White clerked for Judge David Sentelle of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit and practiced constitutional and regulatory law in Washington.

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From the classroom to the courtroom: George Mason Scalia Law School student assists veteran at hearing

ckearney — Thu, 31 Oct 2024 21:29:31 +0000

From the classroom to the courtroom: George Mason Scalia Law School student assists veteran at hearing ckearney Thu, 10/31/2024 - 17:29

M-VETS gave 91�� third-year law student Danny Jenkins the kind of courtroom experience that no classroom could.

From left, M-VETS Director Timothy MacArthur, Student Advisor Danny Jenkins, and Assistant Director Raphael Johnson. Photo provided

Jenkins, a student advisor in the Scalia Law School, played a crucial role in helping a former servicemember take a substantial step toward securing the benefit he was owed.

The Mason Veterans and Servicemembers Legal Clinic (M-VETS) provides free legal services to veterans and servicemembers, making it a unique program in legal education. Since its founding in 2004, it has become a model for similar clinics at law schools across the nation.

“That’s exactly why I wanted to be part of it,” said Jenkins, a 28-year-old Provo, Utah, native. “I’ve always felt indebted to our servicemembers for their sacrifice, and being able to really make a difference in a veteran’s daily life is extremely satisfying and rewarding.”

M-VETS Director Timothy M. MacArthur emphasized the clinic’s collaboration with George Mason’s Office of Military Services, the Military, Veterans, and Family Initiative, and the Center for Community Mental Health to better support veterans.

M-VETS enables George Mason law students to assist veterans, servicemembers, and their families with a wide range of litigation and non-litigation matters. Over the past two decades, the clinic has helped hundreds of clients from all five branches of the armed services, offering services like appeals for the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) Board of Veterans Appeals for disability and educational benefit claims, and the filing of requests for increases in disability ratings. M-VETS services are available regardless of the veteran’s state of residence.

“Supporting our veterans is incredibly important, not only because of their sacrifices, but also because of the unique challenges they face after service,” MacArthur said. “They’ve served our country, and providing legal support is a way for me to show my gratitude.”

Jenkins, who plans to join the Army JAG Corps after graduating and passing the bar, volunteered to take on a case involving a client M-VETS had represented since 2018. The case stemmed from a claim for a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) for a DVA home loan, and finally went before a judge on Aug. 23 after nearly six years of litigation.

Jenkins conducted the hearing, arguing for the COE under MacArthur’s supervision, before the DVA’s Board of Veteran Appeals. The client, a Virginia Army National Guard veteran, had been denied the COE because he hadn’t met the required six years of service. During his initial training, the client had injured his right ankle while on active duty, which led to his discharge. Exceptions are allowed for those discharged from service due to a service-connected disability, but the veteran’s discharge papers didn’t indicate an injury-related separation.

Jenkins argued the motion and presented evidence proving that the discharge papers were inaccurate. While M-VETS awaits the ruling from the Board of Veterans’ Appeals, it is helping the veteran to correct his records with the Board for Correction of Military Records to reflect a medical retirement.

“The most challenging part of this case was preparing for the hearing,” Jenkins said. “I needed to make sure I had information and research for any potential questions or issues that would arise, which required a tremendous amount of time and effort.”

While Jenkins doesn’t have a personal military background, his grandfather and father-in-law are veterans. Reflecting on the case, he described the experience as “incredibly satisfying,” offering the kind of real-world experience and personal satisfaction that no classroom could ever provide.

“I came to law school to help people, and most of your time in law school is spent in classrooms,” Jenkins said. “This unique opportunity allowed me to step outside the classroom and make a real difference in someone’s life.”

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Jaffer appointed to new Virginia Artificial Intelligence Task Force

ckearney — Wed, 23 Oct 2024 14:37:14 +0000

Jaffer appointed to new Virginia Artificial Intelligence Task Force ckearney Wed, 10/23/2024 - 10:37

Virginia governor Glenn Youngkin has appointed Jamil N. Jaffer, the founder and executive director of the National Security Institute (NSI) at 91��’s Antonin Scalia Law School, to his new Artificial Intelligence (AI) Task Force, which will work with legislators to regulate rapidly advancing AI technology. Jaffer is one of 10 appointees to the task force, alongside NSI Fellow Zach Graves.

Jamil Jaffer. Photo by Cristian Torres/Office of University Branding

The AI Task Force brings together a group of the most prominent AI experts in the commonwealth to provide advice to policy makers as they work to establish Virginia as a leader in the AI field, while balancing the need to create safeguards that promote responsible technology use. These experts will also provide guidance to state agencies on integrating AI, ensuring that any AI solutions implemented are both efficient and cost effective

“The AI Task Force is a vital component of Virginia’s efforts to lead in the rapidly advancing field of artificial intelligence, providing crucial guidance to policymakers as they balance innovation with responsible technology use,” said Ken Randall, Allison and Dorothy Rouse Dean and 91�� Foundation professor at the Antonin Scalia Law School. “We are confident that his expertise, alongside NSI Fellow Zach Graves and other distinguished members, will significantly contribute to shaping Virginia’s AI future.”

“I look forward to collaborating with the distinguished members of the Task Force to provide actionable insights that promote responsible AI use and drive meaningful advancements in both the public and private sectors,” said Jaffer.

Jaffer is also director of the National Security Law and Policy Program and director of the Cyber, Intelligence, and National Security LLM Program at Scalia Law. He teaches classes on counterterrorism, intelligence, surveillance, cybersecurity, and other national security matters.

He has served as an outside advisor to the Cyberspace Solarium Commission and has testified before committees of the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives on China, cybersecurity, counterterrorism, and other national security matters.

Jaffer has also appeared as a subject matter expert on a range of national television and radio outlets and various print and online publications.

Also on the task force are John Bailey, founder of Vestigo Partners; Bill Cleveland, former vice mayor, Alexandria; Richard Cullatta, CEO, International Society for Technology in Education; Sam Hammond, senior economist, Foundation for American Innovation; Tim Hwang, Senior Technology Fellow, Institute for Progress; Lori Jennings, founder, Jennings ProSearch; Paige Kowalski, executive vice president, Data Quality Campaign; and Naren Ramakrishnan, professor of engineering, Virginia Tech.

Listen to Jamil Jaffer and George Mason President Gregory Washington discuss the U.S.'s position on the global stage, the power of the American Dream, and more on the Access to Excellence podcast.

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