Speaker Profile Thumbnail for Ben Wizner

Director of the ACLU's Speech, Privacy & Technology Project | Legal Advisor to Edward Snowden | Speaker on Privacy, Civil Liberties, and Cybersecurity

Ben Wizner Speaking Fee: $10,000 and Below

Director of the ACLU's Speech, Privacy & Technology Project | Legal Advisor to Edward Snowden | Speaker on Privacy, Civil Liberties, and Cybersecurity

Speaker Profile Thumbnail for Ben Wizner
Speaking Fee:
$10,000 and Below

Travels From:
NYC - New York City

Primary Topic Category:
Legal Issues

Secondary Topic Category:
Cybersecurity / Cryptocurrency / Blockchain

 

Ben Wizner Speaker Profile: At A Glance

Ben Wizner is a leading expert on civil liberties, privacy, and government surveillance. As Director of the ACLU’s Speech, Privacy & Technology Project, he has spent over two decades defending First and Fourth Amendment rights in the digital age. He is best known as the legal advisor to NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden and has been a prominent voice on issues of national security and government transparency. Wizner has argued cases before federal courts and appeared in major media outlets, shaping public discourse on privacy and free speech.

Ben Wizner is a distinguished American attorney and civil liberties advocate, renowned for his dedication to defending privacy, free speech, and individual rights in the digital era. Born in 1971 in New Haven, Connecticut, he was immersed in an academic environment from an early age, with his father serving as a professor at Yale Law School and his mother holding a deanship. This intellectual upbringing, combined with formative experiences at Hopkins School, sparked his enduring commitment to social justice. After earning his bachelor's degree from Harvard College in 1993, Wizner worked with organizations providing legal assistance to the homeless, solidifying his passion for advocacy. He later pursued a Juris Doctor at New York University School of Law, where he focused on legal services for impoverished communities and capital punishment cases. Following law school, he clerked for Judge Stephen Reinhardt of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, gaining invaluable experience in appellate litigation. In August 2001, Wizner joined the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) in Los Angeles, initially concentrating on prison reform. The events of September 11, 2001, prompted a shift in his focus toward civil liberties issues related to national security. By 2004, he had transitioned to the ACLU's headquarters in New York City, where he tackled cases involving airport security policies, government watchlists, surveillance practices, targeted killings, and torture. His work took him to Guantánamo Bay on multiple occasions to observe and report on military commission trials. Notably, Wizner represented Khalid El-Masri, a German citizen subjected to extraordinary rendition by the CIA, highlighting the human cost of post-9/11 counterterrorism measures. Despite facing legal setbacks, Wizner remained steadfast, viewing these cases as essential for creating a historical record and fostering accountability. In 2011, Wizner was appointed director of the ACLU's Speech, Privacy, and Technology Project. In this role, he has been instrumental in safeguarding First and Fourth Amendment rights amid rapid technological advancements. His expertise has made him a sought-after commentator, leading to appearances on programs such as "Democracy Now!", "Meet the Press", and "Politicking with Larry King". Wizner has also testified before Congress and contributed articles to publications like Time and the Freedom of the Press Foundation, addressing pressing issues at the intersection of technology and civil liberties. As an adjunct professor at New York University School of Law, he imparts his knowledge to the next generation of legal professionals. Since July 2013, Wizner has served as the principal legal advisor to Edward Snowden, the former NSA contractor who exposed extensive government surveillance programs. This high-profile role has positioned Wizner at the center of global debates on privacy, security, and transparency. He has managed media inquiries, facilitated public dialogues, and advocated for Snowden's ability to contribute to discussions on surveillance and democracy. Wizner views this work as a culmination of his career-long efforts to challenge overreach and promote government accountability. Throughout his career, Ben Wizner has exemplified a commitment to upholding civil liberties in the face of evolving challenges. His work underscores the delicate balance between national security and individual freedoms, emphasizing the importance of vigilance in preserving democratic values. As technology continues to reshape society, Wizner's insights and advocacy remain vital in navigating the complexities of the digital age.
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