how hard nsa attorney

What can I do with an NSA degree?

The result is that the NSA is steadily building a database of Americans' purely domestic calls and emails. 6. The Procedures allow the government to collect and retain communications protected by the attorney–client privilege. The Procedures expressly contemplate that the NSA will collect attorney–client communications.

What is the NSA surveillance law and why is it controversial?

Sep 25, 2018 · The sentence was announced by Assistant Attorney General for National Security John C. Demers, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur, and Special Agent in Charge Gordon B. Johnson of the FBI’s Baltimore Field Office. ... This material was in both hard copy and digital form, and was kept in a number of locations in Pho’s ...

Is NSA a full-time job?

national security, including terrorism, and supports the national security units within various US Attorneys’ Offices throughout the country. Lawyers on Capitol Hill may work for Congressional committees and subcommittees involved with national security issues, such as Armed Services, Intelligence or Foreign Relations.

Is the National Security Agency spying on Americans?

NSA Careers: Extraordinary People, Extraordinary Work. NSA regularly seeks highly motivated, accomplished attorneys from diverse backgrounds to join its dynamic and challenging practice to ensure Agency operations comply with the law while also protecting both our national security and our civil liberties.

What do NSA lawyers do?

NSA employs an elite team of lawyers who provide legal advice to the agency as we carry out our missions. Our attorneys analyze cutting-edge technical and intelligence issues and frequently provide legal advice that relates to high-profile current events affecting our national security.

How hard is it to get into NSA?

Getting hired by the NSA without a degree is virtually impossible. Of course, just any degree won't work; it needs to be in an area that is relevant to what the agency does. As an intelligence organization, the NSA hires people with many backgrounds and credentials.Dec 17, 2020

Is being an attorney difficult?

The Stress Deadlines, billing pressures, client demands, long hours, changing laws, and other demands all combine to make the practice of law one of the most stressful jobs out there. Throw in rising business pressures, evolving legal technologies, and climbing law school debt and it's no wonder lawyers are stressed.Nov 20, 2019

Is the NSA a good place to work?

Great Opportunities for Education The NSA is a great place to work for people who value continued education. The internal training pipelines are strong and engaging. The agency also supports their employees academic goals at the university level with ample funding. The culture at NSAH is fantastic.

How is NSA different from CIA?

The main difference between NSA and CIA is that while most NSA agents work at the agency headquarters and their job revolves around decoding network transmissible codes and foreign threat messages, CIA agents are more often than not field agents who work around the people and gather information regarding any kind of ...

Does the NSA work with the CIA?

The NSA, alongside the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), maintains a physical presence in many countries across the globe; the CIA/NSA joint Special Collection Service (a highly classified intelligence team) inserts eavesdropping devices in high value targets (such as presidential palaces or embassies).

Are lawyers happy?

Lawyers are one of the least happy careers in the United States. At CareerExplorer, we conduct an ongoing survey with millions of people and ask them how satisfied they are with their careers. As it turns out, lawyers rate their career happiness 2.6 out of 5 stars which puts them in the bottom 7% of careers.

What is the easiest type of law to study?

However, there are many sectors of law which are less stressful:Real estate law.Intellectual property law.High Street family law.Government lawyers.Working In-House.Jul 9, 2021

What are the cons of being a lawyer?

Disadvantages of Being an AttorneyLawyers often work long hours.You will often no longer have a life apart from work.Clients can be quite demanding.Working climate may be rather bad.You may get sued.Law school can cost a fortune.Digitalization is a threat to lawyers.More items...

How competitive is the NSA?

But if you can get one, you've probably got a job after college. Every summer, the National Security Agency offers about 250 internships to undergraduate and graduate students interested in pursuing careers with the federal agency.May 14, 2014

Does NSA pay relocation?

Moving Assistance NSA will pay to move household goods (not to exceed 18,000 pounds), as well as the travel expenses for new employees and their dependents whose primary residence is at least 50 miles from Fort Meade, Md.

How long does it take to get hired at the NSA?

Around 15 weeks, suitability processing begins. In addition to the background check, you'll be asked to participate in psychological testing and a polygraph.

About the Legal Honors Program

The program is a three-year term appointment that includes rotations through two of OGC's legal practice groups, which include Operational Authorities; Operational Support; Administrative Law & Ethics; Acquisition, Research & Technology; Litigation; Legislation; and Law & Policy.

Eligibility

OGC recruits for the Legal Honors Program each fall through on-campus interviews and online applications. Eligibility is limited to:

Who We Hire

Since 2014, applicants from the following schools have been offered positions in the Legal Honors Program:

What is the effect of the NSA?

The effect is to bring virtually every international communication within the reach of the NSA's surveillance. 4. The Procedures permit the NSA to collect international communications, including Americans' international communications, in bulk. On its face, the Act permits the NSA to conduct dragnet surveillance, ...

How does the NSA determine if a target is a foreigner?

To determine whether a target is a foreigner abroad, the Procedures contemplate that the NSA will consult various NSA databases containing information collected by it and other agencies through signals intelligence, human intelligence, law enforcement, and other means. These databases—referred to as "NSA content repositories" and "knowledge databases"—apparently house internet data, including metadata that reveals online activities, as well as telephone numbers and email addresses that the agency has reason to believe are being used by U.S. persons. The Procedures' reference to "Home Location Registers," which receive updates whenever a phone "moves into a new service area," suggests that the NSA also collects some form of location information about millions of Americans' cellphones. The Procedures do not say what limits apply to these databases or what safeguards, if any, are in place to protect Americans' constitutional rights.

What are the problems with the surveillance act?

One of the fundamental problems with the Act is that it permits the government to conduct surveillance without probable cause or individualized suspicion.

What is the purpose of the Minimization Procedures?

The other sets out the government's "minimization procedures"—the procedures that govern the retention, analysis, and dissemination of the communications it acquires . Both documents—the "Procedures"—have apparently been endorsed by the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court, which oversees government surveillance in some national security cases.

Does the NSA collect attorney-client communications?

The Procedures expressly contemplate that the NSA will collect attorney–client communications. In general, these communications receive no special protection—they can be acquired, retained, and disseminated like any other. Thus, if the NSA acquires the communications of lawyers representing individuals who have been charged before the military commissions at Guantanamo, nothing in the Procedures would seem to prohibit the NSA from sharing the communications with military prosecutors. The Procedures include a more restrictive rule for communications between attorneys and their clients who have been criminally indicted in the United States—the NSA may not share these communications with prosecutors. Even those communications, however, may be retained to the extent that they include foreign intelligence information.

Does the NSA have dragnet surveillance?

On its face, the Act permits the NSA to conduct dragnet surveillance, not just surveillance of specific individuals. Officials who advocated for the Act made clear that this was one of its principal purposes, and unsurprisingly, the Procedures give effect to that design. While they require the government to identify a "target" outside the country, once the target has been identified the Procedures permit the NSA to sweep up the communications of any foreigner who may be communicating "about" the target. The Procedures contemplate that the NSA will do this by "employ [ing] an Internet Protocol filter to ensure that the person from whom it seeks to obtain foreign intelligence information is located overseas," by "target [ing] Internet links that terminate in a foreign country," or by identifying "the country code of the telephone number." However the NSA does it, the result is the same: millions of communications may be swept up, Americans' international communications among them.

Does the NSA sweep up foreign communications?

While they require the government to identify a "target" outside the country, once the target has been identified the Procedures permit the NSA to sweep up the communications of any foreigner who may be communicating "about" the target.

Who handled the NSA investigation?

Assistant Attorney General Demers and U.S. Attorney Hur commended the FBI and the NSA for their work in the investigation. This prosecution was handled by the District of Maryland, and the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section.

How long was Nghia Hoang Pho in prison?

Nghia Hoang Pho, 68, of Ellicott City, Maryland, and a naturalized U.S. citizen originally of Vietnam, was sentenced today to 66 months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, for willful retention of classified national defense information. According to court documents, Pho removed massive troves ...

When did Pho remove documents?

According to the plea agreement, beginning in 2010 and continuing through March 2015, Pho removed and retained U.S. government property, including documents and writings that contained national defense information classified as Top Secret and SCI.

What is Pho's job?

According to his plea agreement, beginning in April 2006, Pho was employed as a developer in Tailored Access Operations (TAO) at the National Security Agency (NSA). NSA is a component of the U.S. intelligence community and the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD).

Who is the Assistant Attorney General for National Security?

Due to the nature and complexity of such investigations and the specificity of terrorism-related federal statutes, prosecutions tend to originate at the federal level within the National Security Division of the Department of Justice (DOJ), which some regard as the most prestigious site within which to practice national security law. John Carlin ’99 is the Assistant Attorney General for National Security and heads the Division.

What are the federal agencies that deal with national security?

Well-known agencies that deal with national security issues include the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and the National Security Agency (NSA), but there are also lawyers working on national security issues in other agencies, such as the Department of Energy and the Department of the Treasury. Almost all federal executive branch agencies hire in-house counsels, some of whom engage with national security issues. Lawyers interested in prosecution should consider working for the Department of Justice (DOJ); the National Security Division of the DOJ investigates and prosecutes threats to national security, including terrorism, and supports the national security units within various US Attorneys’ Offices throughout the country. Lawyers on Capitol Hill may work for Congressional committees and subcommittees involved with national security issues, such as Armed Services, Intelligence or Foreign Relations.

What is NSJ journal?

The NSJ is a student-edited online journal. Joining a journal may allow students to develop their legal writing and editing skills, build their resumes, explore an area of interest, and assume leadership positions. For more information on the NSJ, visit http://harvardnsj.org/.

What languages are needed for national security?

Although foreign language skills may not be necessary for national security work, they may make you a more attractive hire and be extremely useful. Languages in particular demand in this field include Arabic, Farsi, Pashtu, Urdu, all dialects of Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Russian, Spanish and Vietnamese.

What is national security advocacy?

Advocacy organizations involved in national security work occupy an important role within the system of law enforcement and justice. These organizations address an expanding set of national security and civil liberties issues from the abuse of detainees in U.S. custody to government secrecy and surveillance, oversight of private security contractors employed by the military, and discrimination against Arab and Muslim Americans in the wake of 9/11. Attorneys at these organizations work in a variety of capacities, from litigating cases to conducting legislative advocacy and media campaigns, to providing and comments to federal agencies and congressional committees.

What is a JAG officer?

Each of the five branches of the U.S. military has commissioned officers serving in the Judge Advocate General Corps, commonly referred to as JAGs. JAG Officers serve at all levels of military operation, providing legal advice and services to soldiers and commanders overseas and in the United States. JAG officers develop broad legal competencies during their initial training in international, administrative, and contract law, as well as military justice and legal assistance.

Why is it important to do a summer internship?

It is important to use summer internships to build experience and demonstrate your interest in and knowledge of national security to future employers. Occasionally, internships may even turn into post-graduate positions. In addition, internships provide networking opportunities, and if they require a security clearance they may smooth the path to regular employment.

Benefits

NSA employees receive benefits that offer a better quality of life, both on and off the job.

Explore Careers

NSA recruits for a variety of jobs from analysts, to lawyers, to linguists, to communications. Not sure which job is right for you? Explore NSA’s Job Exploration Tool.

Development Programs

NSA offers entry-level programs to help employees enhance their skills, improve their understanding of a specific discipline, and even cross-train into a new career field. The programs are full-time paid positions.

Student Programs

NSA offers student programs to learn more about NSA and to deepen your knowledge in your chosen career field. From internships and scholarships to work study and co-op programs, search for your perfect opportunity.

Cybersecurity Careers

NSA employs a wide variety of cyber professionals to help protect and defend U.S. government IT systems and to help exploit the intelligence of adversaries.

Business Careers

NSA has opportunities for business areas in accounting, financial analysis, financial/budget management, budget analysis, and contract and project management.

Legal Careers

NSA regularly seeks highly motivated, accomplished attorneys from diverse backgrounds to join its dynamic and challenging practice to ensure Agency operations comply with the law while also protecting both our national security and our civil liberties.

What is a language analyst?

Language Analyst. Uses knowledge of foreign language and English to provide key decision makers with a complete and accurate picture of the context within which the decision is being made (i.e., provide an understanding of nuance, context, cultural overtones and dialect in which the communication occurred).

What is the role of the government in protecting government interests?

Protects government interests by advising government clients, advocating on behalf of government clients and educating government clients concerning legal and regulatory authorities, requirements, entitlements, obligations and oversight requirements.

What is the job of a physicist?

Physicist. Conducts research into phases of phenomena, develops theories and laws on the basis of observations and experiments, and devises methods to apply theories and laws to solve technical problems, analyze proposals for feasibility, and guide technical development.

What is intelligence community?

The Intelligence Community offers multiple areas of focus for engineers, including computer, electrical, mechanical and structural, as well as a wide range of opportunities in the physical sciences including chemist, biologist and physicist. Apply your science and engineering skills to protecting the nation.

What is the mission of an intelligence collector?

As an intelligence collector, your mission is to acquire the vital information needed to produce intelligence. You may live and work anywhere in the world. You may be asked to use your proficiency in a foreign language or to learn a new language. You must be able to establish and build interpersonal relationships.

What is a physician?

Physician. Provides clinical, consultative and administrative services in the areas of occupational health, case management, travel health, primary diagnosis and treatment. Provides medical support for health promotion and wellness, to maintain the value, integrity, quality and availability of medical services.

Who misled Congress about metadata?

Some commentators have suggested that then-FBI Deputy Director Sean Joyce misled Congress in 2013 about the NSA’s metadata program. I am confident that Sean testified to the facts as he understood them—not because I know the facts, but because I know Sean.

Who is David Kris?

David Kris is a founder of Culper Partners LLC. He previously served as assistant attorney general for national security, associate deputy attorney general, trial attorney at the Department of Justice, general counsel at Intellectual Ventures, and deputy general counsel and chief ethics and compliance officer at Time Warner. He is the author or co-author of several works on national security, including the treatise National Security Investigations and Prosecutions, and has taught at Georgetown University and the University of Washington. Randomly, but increasingly, when he submits material for prepublication review by the government, Mr. Kris has been directed to add the following disclaimer or its equivalent, which should be understood to apply to all of his published work unless otherwise indicated: “All statements of fact, opinion, or analysis expressed are those of the author and do not reflect the official positions or views of the U.S. Government. Nothing in the contents should be construed as asserting or implying U.S. Government authentication of information or endorsement of the author’s views.”