Advancing among scholars, students, lawyers, members of the armed forces and policy officials a greater understanding of the role of law in national and international security issues.

The Center on Law, Ethics and National Security was founded at Duke Law School on September 1, 1993. It was established for the purpose of encouraging and sponsoring teaching, research and publications concerning national security law topics, as well as conducting conferences and seminars in the national security field. Additionally, as the Center's name implies, it seeks to provide a focus on national security decision-making from an ethical perspective. It is privately funded, drawing its financial support from donations from both the private and public sectors. The Center's staff receives periodic guidance and direction from an Executive Board which is comprised of distinguished scholars, administrators, jurists and others who share a common interest in national security law and who have dedicated themselves to the continued growth and success of the Center.