Complete Guide: How to Write for Lawfare Media and Build Your National Security Career
This comprehensive guide shows you how to become a Lawfare Student Contributor and write influential articles at the intersection of national security, law, and policy. Whether you’re a law student or graduate student in related fields, this step-by-step roadmap will help you understand Lawfare’s unique focus, craft compelling pitches, and build a portfolio that opens doors in government, law firms, and think tanks.
Lawfare is not a typical paid writing opportunity—it’s a prestigious platform for portfolio building and networking with the nation’s top national security professionals. This guide explains exactly what you need to know to get published and leverage your byline for career advancement.
Section 1 · Know the Publication
Understanding Lawfare Media: What It Is and Why It Matters
Lawfare is a premier non-profit multimedia publication founded in 2010 by Benjamin Wittes, Harvard Law professor Jack Goldsmith, and University of Texas law professor Robert Chesney. Published by The Lawfare Institute in cooperation with the Brookings Institution, Lawfare has become the go-to source for serious analysis at the intersection of national security, law, and policy.
The name “Lawfare” refers to both the use of law as a weapon of conflict and America’s ongoing debate over the legal frameworks governing national security and warfare. Since its founding, Lawfare has covered everything from post-9/11 counterterrorism measures to cybersecurity threats, election integrity, domestic extremism, and great-power competition.
Lawfare stands apart from typical legal blogs because it:
- Publishes rigorous, non-partisan analysis from across the ideological spectrum
- Features contributions from current and former government officials, practicing lawyers, academics, and legal scholars
- Covers breaking national security developments with deep legal and policy expertise
- Maintains editorial standards comparable to law reviews while remaining accessible to policy professionals
- Produces influential podcasts including The Lawfare Podcast and Rational Security
Your audience includes:
- Congressional staffers and policymakers
- National security lawyers and judges
- Intelligence community professionals
- Think tank researchers and academics
- Journalists covering national security
- Military officers and defense officials
Articles published on Lawfare regularly influence policy debates, are cited in congressional hearings, and shape media coverage of major national security issues.
| Coverage Area | Example Topics | Recent Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Cybersecurity & Tech | Data privacy, AI governance, cyber operations, election security | Chinese cyber threats, AI regulation, content moderation |
| Law & Courts | Supreme Court decisions, executive power, constitutional law | Trump-era litigation, judicial appointments, FISA reform |
| Intelligence & Surveillance | NSA programs, FISA Section 702, classified information | Intelligence oversight, leaks and whistleblowers |
| Foreign Policy | China policy, Russia, Middle East, war powers | Ukraine conflict, Taiwan contingencies, Iran |
| Domestic Security | Domestic extremism, Capitol riot, homeland security | Political violence, threats to democracy |