Executive Branch Terrorism & Extremism

Lawfare Daily: Accountability for Abu Ghraib

Natalie K. Orpett, Michael Posner, Jen Patja
Monday, December 23, 2024, 8:00 AM
Discussing the landmark verdict in Al-Shimari v. CACI.

Published by The Lawfare Institute
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On today's podcast, Lawfare Executive Editor Natalie Orpett talks with Michael Posner, a professor of business and human rights at New York University, about the landmark verdict last month in Al-Shimari v. CACI. The case involved claims against a government contractor for its role in the abuse of prisoners at the Abu Ghraib detention facility in Iraq in 2004. It became the first case of its kind to make it to trial—and now a jury has returned a verdict finding the company liable and imposing $42 million in damages. They discuss how the case will affect private companies, government contractors, and the future of human rights litigation. 

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Please note that this episode contains content that some people may find disturbing. Listener discretion is advised. 


Natalie Orpett is the executive editor of Lawfare and deputy general counsel of the Lawfare Institute. She was previously an attorney at the law firm Jenner & Block, where she focused on investigations and government controversies, and also maintained an active pro bono practice. She served as civilian counsel to a defendant in the Guantanamo Military Commissions for more than eight years.
Michael Posner is a professor at NYU’s Stern School of Business and the director of the Center for Business and Human Rights. From 2008-2013, Posner served in the Obama Administration as Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor.
Jen Patja is the editor and producer of the Lawfare Podcast and Rational Security. She currently serves as the Co-Executive Director of Virginia Civics, a nonprofit organization that empowers the next generation of leaders in Virginia by promoting constitutional literacy, critical thinking, and civic engagement. She is the former Deputy Director of the Robert H. Smith Center for the Constitution at James Madison's Montpelier and has been a freelance editor for over 20 years.

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