Alumnus Scott Claffee, JD ‘04, discusses his fascinating role as a Trial Attorney with the National Security Division of the U.S. Department of Justice.
“My best day as a prosecutor was when I got to preside over a naturalization ceremony–reading off the names of new citizens, welcoming them, and sharing in their joy. It was a profoundly moving event that showcased the courage, resilience, and unwavering hope of individuals who left their homelands to seek a better life.”
Scott Claffee
JD ‘04
Where did you grow up and how has your background influenced you today?
I grew up in the Philly suburbs and spent every summer at the Jersey Shore (LBI) with my grandparents. My Pop-Pop talked to anyone and everyone he came across, from complete strangers to repairmen and even (much to their chagrin) my friends who would call our landline. He was endlessly interested in learning about people and the world around him, and this curiosity taught me a valuable lesson: the importance of understanding others. This lesson has proven invaluable in my legal career. Whether it's motivating agents, comforting victims, or even empathizing with defendants, curiosity is a fundamental trait for any effective lawyer.
Did you receive a scholarship at GW? How did your scholarship help you succeed?
I received a small merit scholarship following my first year. It definitely lessened the stress of having to work while managing a full course load and extracurriculars. I still worked at the Pentagon City Mall on the weekends, though!
What is your only-at-GW moment? In other words, what is an experience/opportunity you believe GW provided you access to?
Being located where it is, GW always provides opportunities to interact with interesting D.C. figures–sometimes annoying (a motorcade delay causing you to be late for class), sometimes fascinating (I heard several Supreme Court justices speak during my time at the law school). One of the oddest, but most fun, experiences was when I attended a live broadcast of CNN's show "Crossfire," which at the time was produced on campus. The co-hosts of the show I attended were Tucker Carlson (representing the right) and Paul Begala (the left), and this was early 2003, so they were debating whether or not to go to war in Iraq. I recall it being a dry, somewhat boring debate, so imagine our surprise when they brought on as a guest the actress and comedian Janeane Garofalo, who managed to take on Carlson and make the most forceful case against the war of the whole night!
Tell us about your current professional role and how it excites you.
I prosecute spies, international arms brokers, and foreign actors who try to influence the public, and it's the best job I've ever had. One of the most impactful areas of my work is countering transnational repression. This involves foreign governments targeting their citizens living here in the U.S. with harassment, intimidation, and silencing tactics. I’m passionate about these cases because they offer a direct opportunity to safeguard democracy and protect the right to dissent against authoritarian regimes.
What accomplishment are you most proud of personally or professionally and why?
My best day as a prosecutor was when I got to preside over a naturalization ceremony--reading off the names of new citizens, welcoming them, and sharing in their joy. It was a profoundly moving event that showcased the courage, resilience, and unwavering hope of individuals who left their homelands to seek a better life. I left the ceremony inspired by such a celebration of diversity, aspiration, and the enduring power of the American ideal.
What is a fun fact about you that you'd like to share?
One of my first jobs was driving an ice cream truck. Let me tell you: it was a dark day for our country when they discontinued the Choco Taco back in 2022!
What is a piece of advice you would offer to students seeking to pursue your field of work?
Be curious! Talk to as many lawyers as you can, and ask them what their life is like–not just their day-to-day at work, but what relationships they've made, what opportunities they've received as a result of their job, and whether they like who they've become. It's way too easy to blindly follow some standard path after law school graduation and wake up one day years later wondering if you made the right choices.
Was there a standout course, professor, or organization from your time as a student that inspired your career path?
I was a research assistant for Professor Raven-Hansen, who teaches National Security Law, the summer after my first year of law school. We collaborated on an article about the legality of the CIA conducting political assassinations overseas. Although it took me twelve years after graduation to begin working in national security, I'm confident that working with him must have planted the seed for the exciting career I now have.