Carey Shenkman

Human Rights Attorney | Author | Litigator


Co-author, A Century of Repression: The Espionage Act and Freedom of the Press (University of Illinois Press, 2022)

  • “An absolute sensation. It is the best publication I’ve ever read on the Espionage Act.” – JAMES GOODALE, Former General Counsel, New York Times
  • “I even learned a lot about my own case. A riveting eye-opener and must read.” – DANIEL ELLSBERG, Pentagon Papers Whistleblower
  • “A timely and compelling ‘biography’ of the Espionage Act, vividly told through the harrowing stories of whistleblowers, government employees, policy consultants and journalists.” – STEPHEN ROHDE, LA REVIEW OF BOOKS
  • “An impressive piece of both legal and journalistic history. – REPORTERS COMMITTEE FOR FREEDOM OF THE PRESS
  • “Engelman and Shenkman’s compelling history should inform deliberations about the
    roles of secrecy and publicity in our digital world for some time to come.”
    – AMERICAN JOURNALISM, Journal for the American Journalism Historians Association

AREAS OF FOCUS:

  • freedom of expression
    • political dissent | whistleblowing | religious accommodation
  • human rights
    • international and regional mechanisms
  • technology
    • cybercrime laws | data brokers | artificial intelligence
  • nonprofits
    • 501(c)(3) compliance | grantmaking

I’m in private practice, and do regular work with a number of civil society orgs on these topics. In addition, I’ve given keynotes at conferences, law and journalism schools, and bylines include The Nation and NYU Law Review with quotes in the Washington Post. I’ve done live broadcasts including BBC, Democracy Now!, and Al Jazeera English.

In my spare time, I’m an open water swimmer, rescue diver, and dabble in artistic projects with costume design, cooking, and music.