<span class="vcard">Heather Brandon-Smith</span>

Heather Brandon-Smith

Heather Brandon-Smith (@HBrandonSmith) is Legislative Director for Militarism and Human Rights at the Friends Committee for National Legislation (FCNL). She leads the organization’s work to repeal the 2001 authorization for war, promote respect for human rights and international law, and reduce U.S. armed interventions around the world.

Prior to joining FCNL, Heather served as the Advocacy Counsel for National Security at Human Rights First, where she worked to advance U.S. national security policies that are consistent with human rights and the rule of law.

She specializes in the domestic and international legal frameworks governing the use of force and has worked to reform key post-9/11 counterterrorism policies, including indefinite detention and military commissions at Guantanamo and U.S. war authorities, including the 2001 Authorization for the Use of Military Force (AUMF).

Heather holds an LL.M. from Georgetown University Law School, where she graduated with distinction and was co-chair of Georgetown Law’s Human Rights Action – Amnesty International LL.M. committee. Heather taught at the University of New South Wales Law School and Macquarie University Law School (both in Sydney) and worked at the law firm Ashurst in Sydney. She has a B.A. in Politics and International Relations/LL.B. and an LL.M. from the University of New South Wales. She is also on LinkedIn.

Articles by this author:

Graffiti showing a US drone is depicted on a wall to protest against US drone strikes on September 19, 2018 in Sana'a, Yemen.
The U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C.
CAMP SHORAB, AFGHANISTAN - SEPTEMBER 11: A U.S. Army helicopter flies outside of Camp Shorab on a flight to Camp Post on September 11, 2017 in Helmand Province, Afghanistan. About 300 marines are currently deployed in Helmand Province in a train, advise, and assist role supporting local Afghan security forces. Currently the United States has about 11,000 troops in the deployed in Afghanistan, with a reported 4,000 more expected to arrive in the coming weeks. Last month, President Donald Trump announced his plan for Afghanistan which called for an increase in troop numbers and a new conditions-based approach to the war, getting rid of a timetable for the withdrawal of American forces in the country. (Photo by Andrew Renneisen/Getty Images)
U.S. Soldiers of the 663rd Ordnance Company, 242nd Ordnance Battalion, drive military vehicles to the explosives range at Al Asad Air Base, Iraq, Nov. 29, 2019. The Explosive Ordnance Disposal Soldiers utilize these ranges to provide controlled disposal of explosive Ordnance. The Coalition is in Iraq by invitation of, and operates in close coordination with, the Government of Iraq. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Derek Mustard)
US President Joe Biden addresses the Major Economies Forum on Energy and Climate from the South Court Auditorium of the Eisenhower Executive Office Building, next to the White House, in Washington, DC on June 17, 2022. - Biden hosts the virtual summit of major economies.
A member of the Afghan Air Force 777 Special Mission Wing looks out of an Mi-17 helicopter during a training mission on September 13, 2017 outside of Kabul, Afghanistan.
U.S. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) answers questions during a press conference at the U.S. Capitol on May 09, 2019 in Washington, DC.
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