Annie W. Morgan, Esq. Senior Military Defense Attorney
Annie W. Morgan, Esq., is a highly respected attorney, with over fourteen years’ experience in trial and appellate litigation before federal, military, and international courts. Annie possesses a specialized focus in national security litigation, human rights, and complex criminal defense. Her practice is marked by a commitment to upholding justice and advancing the Rule of Law, demonstrated through her impactful work across several prominent government agencies and international legal tribunals.
Most recently, Annie served as an Attorney Advisor at the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) within the U.S. Department of Treasury. In this role, she provides expert legal guidance on critical issues including anti-money laundering, financial intelligence, and regulatory compliance. Annie advised on federal laws and regulations affecting domestic and global financial systems, working closely with federal law enforcement, intelligence agencies, financial institutions and regulators, and Congress. Known for her analytical rigor, she excelled in navigating complex legal challenges to support FinCEN’s mission of safeguarding financial integrity and promoting national security.
Before joining FinCEN, Annie held a pivotal role as a civilian defense attorney with the Department of Defense’s Military Commissions Defense Organization, where she represented the alleged mastermind of the 2000 USS Cole bombing, Mr. Abdul Al-Rahim Al-Nashiri, against capital charges involving terrorism. In defense of Mr. Al-Nashiri, Annie has appeared before the War Courts convened in Guantanamo Bay, the Court of Military Commissions Review, the D.C. Circuit, and international tribunals. Annie has been lauded for her commitment to representing clients in challenging cases, her command of complex international law issues, her expertise handling classified materials, and her novel trial strategy. Her work before the military commissions has been featured in the New York Times, the Nation, MSNBC, and in a host of legal blogs and podcasts. Most notably, Ms. Morgan’s groundbreaking examination of the architect of the CIA’s torture program and her successful argument in the historic motion to suppress evidence obtained or derived from the torture of Guantanamo detainees, has received national attention. Her dedication was recognized with awards such as the Chief Defense Counsel Rule of Law Award and the Senior Civilian of the Year Award.
Annie’s legal journey began with the U.S. Air Force, where she served in the Judge Advocate General (JAG) Corps. Annie served as a trial defense attorney, representing service members across Europe and the Middle East, an appellate defense attorney, appearing before the Air Force Court of Criminal Appeals and the Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces, and a civil litigation attorney, handling some of the most complex litigation involving military service members in federal court. Her leadership and legal skill earned her a top ranking among her peers and solidified her reputation as a dedicated advocate for service members and their families.
In addition to her hands-on legal work, Annie is a passionate educator and thought leader. As an adjunct professor at Gettysburg College, she shares her expertise in national security law with students, drawing on real-world experience from her work with military commissions, human rights advocacy, and financial intelligence. Her courses tackle pressing topics like emerging threats in national security, national security law and policy, and the Legacy of Guantanamo Bay. Additionally, Annie is recognized as a non-resident expert in national security at the Eisenhower Institute in Washington, D.C., and is a prolific guest lecturer at academic institutions nationwide.
Annie holds a Master of Laws in National Security from Georgetown University Law Center, where she graduated with distinction, and a Juris Doctorate from The George Washington School of Law. Her academic accomplishments are complemented by her scholarly contributions, including published articles on issues such as Guantanamo detention in the context of COVID-19. With bar admissions across multiple federal and military courts, Annie’s deep legal knowledge and unwavering dedication to justice make her an invaluable asset to clients navigating the complexities of federal and military law.
