Alana Coopersmith is a non-resident research assistant at American University Washington College of Law's Technology, Law, and Security Program. Alana's research focuses on the intersection of national security, cybersecurity, data privacy, and emerging technologies, contributing research and analysis to ongoing legal and policy projects involving cybercrimes, counterterrorism, electronic surveillance, AI governance, and transatlantic data transfer. Alana earned her J.D., cum laude, from the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law with certificates in both Crisis Management & Cybersecurity Law and Criminal Law. Following graduation, Alana served as a law clerk to the Honorable Kimberley S. White on the Court of Appeals of Virginia.

Prior to TLS, Alana gained significant legislative experience at the intersection of emerging technology and national security law. During her time with the Transportation Security Administration, she provided technical drafting assistance on legislation involving unmanned aerial systems, cybersecurity regulation, and the responsible integration of emerging technologies in transportation security policy. She has explored the legal landscape surrounding reform of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA), including surveillance authorities under Section 702, and authored academic analyses proposing pathways for legislative and judicial oversight. Alana also supported legislative efforts in Maryland aimed at criminalizing the malicious use of deepfake technologies, contributing research that informed proposed state-level AI regulatory frameworks. She currently also holds a research position with the ABA Standing Committee on National Security.

Beyond law, Alana is a dedicated volunteer with organizations including the Alzheimer’s Association, Meals on Wheels, and the SPCA. She is also a USPA Elite Powerlifter, a former women’s rugby player at SUNY Geneseo, and a competitive USA Target Archery athlete. Alana is an active member of the Maryland Bar. She is also an active member of the ABA Standing Committee on National Security, ABA Science and Technology Section, and the International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP).