A University Professor at Chapman University, Ronald Rotunda has spent more than 40 years in the legal profession. Having authored articles and books in English, French, German, Korean, and Romanian, among other languages, he has garnered international recognition. During George W. Bush’s presidency, Rotunda was nominated for placement on the Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board.
An independent division within the executive branch, the Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board was formed in response to the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. Adopting recommendations by the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks to expand its powers to combat terrorism, the government developed this agency as a kind of ombudsman. It reviews the executive branch’s decisions in the War on Terror and ensures that new laws consider and protect civil liberties and privacy rights. The board evaluates new legislation, offers suggestions on how to best implement them, and advises the President on these matters.
The President chooses the five members of the Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board for six-year terms, and the Senate must approve their nomination. As one of its important responsibilities, the board can obtain data from all agencies within the federal government, including classified information, and interview personnel. Additionally, it must keep abreast of the latest developments in the law by regularly reviewing regulations, policies, and procedures and identifying new areas of concern, such as cybersecurity.
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