Ben Jacobson Email & Phone Number

Chicago, Il, Us

Chicago, Illinois

As a member of the Civil Appeals Division, I represent Illinois agencies, officials, and employees in civil appeals in both state and federal courts. My caseload includes various issues, such as administrative review of final agency decisions (e.g., child neglect/abuse findings, government contracting, Illinois Human Rights Act violations), employment discrimination (Title VII, ADA, ADEA, and Illinois Human Rights Act), due process challenges to agency procedures, child support enforcement, statutory and regulatory construction, and civil procedure in both Illinois and federal courts. I also co-supervise our division’s law clerks, which involves coordinating with HR and IT to get clerks started in the office, arranging assignments for the clerks, and ensuring the clerks have an enriching and practical experience during their time with the office.

Annapolis, Maryland

Assisted Judge Fader in preparing for oral arguments and drafting opinions. Conducted research and drafted language on various topics, including: hearsay; expert witness testimony; Whren stops; search incident to arrest; Fifth and Fourteenth Amendment right to silence; causation under the McDonnell-Douglas test; preservation for appeal; statutory and contract interpretation; and standard of review.

Washington D.C. Metro Area

Assisted the Standing Committee Director Holly McMahon and Chair James Baker in building relationships with law students and developing content and events for law students.

Washington, Dc

Main duty was to manage the Georgetown Law State Secrets Archive (http://apps.law.georgetown.edu/state-secrets-archive/), a compilation of judicial opinions involving the government invoking the State Secrets Privilege. The Archive serves as a database from which litigators, scholars, and other interested parties can easily access and better understand how the government leverages the privilege, private actors challenge it, and the courts tend to analyze and resolve claims invoking it. Duties also included assisting with the annual ABA National Security Law Conference, and conducting research projects as needed.

Washington D.C. Metro Area

Conducted research, writing, and fact checking in support of the Liberty and National Security Program’s mission to advance effective national security policies that respect constitutional values and the rule of law. Project subjects included government speech doctrine, New York Freedom of Information Law, and helping estimate the likelihood of success on particular legal claims.

Washington, District Of Columbia, United States

Assisted attorneys and supervisory special agents in the Office of Professional Responsibility to review alleged violations of the law, regulations, or FBI policy by FBI employees, as well as in recommending appropriate outcomes for substantiated violations.

Washington D.C. Metro Area

Assisted CTS attorneys investigate and prosecute domestic and international terrorism cases and supported the counterterrorism efforts of other federal departments and agencies by conducting legal research and analysis, assisting with the drafting of motions and other pleadings, and assisting with presentations and supporting materials. Prepared draft response memo on 42 U.S.C. § 2339A’s specific intent requirement. Drafted analysis on topics including: constitutionality of incidental collection under FISA, Title III, and search warrants; legislative history of “domestic terrorism;” and protection of witness identities consistent with the Confrontation Clause.

Washington, District Of Columbia, United States

Assisted attorneys in the Office of General Counsel in providing advice and counsel to ODNI and IC officials. Conducted legal research on various topics, including leave without pay regulations; FOIA exemptions 3 and 7; and the doctrine of “agency control” of documents under FOIA. Assisted NCTC Legal draft guidelines and standard operating procedures regarding social media for analysts. Prepared legal memoranda on topics such as declassifying information consistent with the USA FREEDOM Act, and drafted responses to audits of ODNI liability in ongoing litigation

Washington, District Of Columbia, United States

Conducted analysis of terrorist threats to U.S. and Department of Defense interests in Europe and the former Soviet Union, particularly in Turkey and the Balkans. Projects included successful initiative to rework a naming convention in the National Intelligence Priorities Framework (NIPF), contributing to a Presidential Daily Brief (PDB), and writing two National Terrorism Bulletins. Deployed as a Liaison Officer to Bagram, Afghanistan (December 2013-April 2014) in support of a Joint Special Operations task force. Served as Eurasia Team Lead (July-December 2013), covering the former Soviet Union, Turkey, and the Balkans. Provided one month of analytic support as a Liaison Officer to the Defense Attaché Office at the U.S. Embassy in Sarajevo (February 2013), working with staff daily and contributing to a security assessment. Completed seven-month rotation on the EUCOM/AFRICOM Desk in the Warning and Fusion Center (January-August 2012), briefing senior leaders on a regular basis and providing preliminary analysis on emerging threats.

- Sound Board Operator; This Train; Ann Filmer, Director; Summer 2010- Sound Board Operator; First Look Rep; Various Directors; Fall 2010- Sound Board Operator; Sex With Strangers; Jessica Thebus; Director; Winter/Spring 2011- Sound Board Operator; Stations Lost; Ann Filmer, Director; Summer 2011

General responsibilities of a literary manager, including: screening unsolicited scripts, acquiring scripts for upcoming season consideration, organizing and running Literary Circle (group that reads plays for development), organizing workshops, keeping track of literary material for the company. Various research and analytic activities: creating glossaries and educational packets, conducting historical research, and analyzing scripts.

Greater Chicago Area

Dramaturg for production of "Memory" by Jonathan Lichtenstein. Provided research packets, timelines, and general contextual support to director, designers, and actors regarding the three time periods in which the play takes place: Nazi Berlin, Berlin immediately following the fall of the Wall, and Bethlehem during the 2006 war.

Juris Doctor (J.D.)

Cum Laude; Exceptional Pro Bono Honoree. Achieved Dean's List all three academic years. Public Interest Fellow, a comprehensive program.

Bachelor'S Degree, History; Theatre (Minor)

Activities and Societies: Phi Alpha Theta (History Honors Society) Armory Free Theatre, Champaign, IL: - Sound Designer; What’s Yours?.

Study Abroad, History

Activities and Societies: Theatregoers Society Sound Board Operator for "No Exit", performed at The BarnStudy Abroad Spring and Summer.