Nicholas W. M.

About Nicholas W. M.

I am a senior legal counsel and strategic advisor with over 20 years of experience leading complex legal, policy, and compliance initiatives at the intersection of domestic & international law, public policy, national security, and global governance. My career spans the U.S. Department of Defense—military and civil servant roles—where I engaged in strategic legal advising, public policy & national security strategy advising, executive level education, and global advisory engagements — all centered around risk mitigation, legal compliance, governance, and institutional integrity.I bring deep subject-matter expertise in national security & public international law, international humanitarian and human rights law, civilian harm mitigation, and security sector governance. As a former Marine Corps officer and now a civilian legal leader, I’ve advised senior government and military executives across more than 40 countries, helping to build accountable, law-aligned institutions through regulatory design, policy reform, and capacity building.My background also includes teaching and curriculum development for international legal education programs, legal scholarship publication, and direct engagement with multilateral bodies, think tanks, and academic institutions. I\'m passionate about the role of law and ethics in shaping responsible innovation and sustainable governance — especially as emerging technologies like AI redefine global risk and compliance landscapes.I’m actively exploring new opportunities where I can apply my leadership and expertise to advance robust legal and ethical frameworks in complex regulatory environments — including, inter alia, international or domestic roles in corporate ethics & compliance, inspections & investigations, governance, political and legal risk analysis & mitigation, privacy, digital trust & safety, AI governance, international law, or ESG-aligned legal strategy.Core Competencies- Global Compliance & Ethics Advisory- National Security & International Law- AI & Emerging Technology Policy- Civilian Harm Mitigation & Human Rights- Institutional Capacity Building & Legal Reform- Cross-Border Risk Analysis & Strategic Advising- Curriculum Design & Executive Legal Education- Regulatory Governance & Rule of Law InitiativesDISCLAIMER: PERSONAL ACCOUNT-NO ATTRIBUTION SHOULD BE MADE WITH ANY ORGANIZATION NOTED IN THIS PROFILE.

Experience

1. Senior Institutional Governance Consultant Senior Lecturer

   Institute For Security Governance

   Mar 2024 — Present · Alexandria, VA, US

   Serve as the Senior Faculty Associate for Civilian Harm Mitigation and Response with the Institute for Security Governance, a component of the Defense Security Cooperation University, Defense Security Cooperation Agency, U.S. Department of Defense- Provide subject matter expert advice for strategic planning and program design and execution, including AM & E for security cooperation programs with a particular focus on institutional capacity building with partner and allied military and security forces for civilian harm mitigation/protection of civilians (CHM/POC)- Research, write and publish, and design curriculum for education and training programs related to civilian harm mitigation, in particular strategy and policy, leadership & ethics, institutional accountability, operational and institutional learning, and integration of civilian harm mitigation into various warfighting functions- Design and execute academic courses, workshops and seminars- Conduct key leader engagement with the provision of advisory and consulting services to support change management and institutional reform efforts, including alignment of strategic interests and enduring relationships to support interoperability.https://instituteforsecuritygovernance.org/-/nicholas-w-mull?redirect=%2Fteam

Education

• Columbia Law School

  Master of Laws (LLM), James Kent Scholar, Public International Law and National Security Law

  2016 — 2017

• Marine Corps University

  Command and Staff College, International Relations, National Security Studies and Joint Military Operations

  2014 — 2016

• Eastern Michigan University

  BS, History and Political Science

  2000 — 2004

• U.S. Marine Corps Personnel Administration School

  Certification as Adjutant, Human Resources Management/Personnel Administration, General

  2005 — 2005

• The Basic School

  Certificate, Marine Corps Leadership and Warfighting

  2004 — 2004

• Officer Candidates School, U.S. Marine Corps

  Certificate, Marine Corps Leadership and Warfighting

  2003 — 2003

• Marine Corps University

  Expeditionary Warfare School, Marine Corps Warfighting Philosophy and Tactics

  2011 — 2014

• John Glenn High School

  High School Diploma, General Education

  1996 — 2000

• Naval Justice School

  Certification as Judge Advocate, Military and International Operational Law

  2012 — 2012

• The Judge Advocate General's Law Center and School, Charlottesville, VA

  Certificate, Operational Law of Armed Conflict Course

  2015 — 2015

• American and Korean Tae Kwon Do Schools

  Master Instructor, Taekwondo/Martial Arts

  1992

• Wayne State University Law School

  Doctor of Law (JD), Order of the Coif, Law

  2009 — 2012