Alumnus Ian Mandell, ’15, Attorney-Advisor at the U.S. Transportation Security Administration in Washington, D.C., was honored by the Department of Homeland Security recently for working to ensure the security of passenger aircraft.

Mandell received the Unity of Effort Award from the former Acting Secretary of Homeland Security in recognition of his legal and policy leadership while jump-starting two regulatory programs, which have been operational for a year. He is the first Kline School of Law graduate to receive an award from the Department of Homeland Security.

Most passenger flights carry freight in addition to passengers and luggage. TSA requires airlines to screen this type of commercial cargo to the same standard as a checked bag. The first program Mandell helped write and implement authorizes and regulates private canine teams to screen freight carried on passenger flights for explosives and incendiary devices, while the second authorizes and regulates the private companies that certify these teams.

“We were able to write and publish these programs in about six months—which is lightning fast for administrative law,” said Mandell.

The quality of Mandell’s work has been acknowledged by the TSA on numerous occasions. Previously, he received the TSA Office of Chief Counsel’s Kerner’s Crew Award, the TSA law Enforcement Award and the One OCC Award.

As a student, Mandell won two of the top prizes at the National Security Law Moot Court Competition; founded the Law and National Security Society; and, upon graduation, received Outstanding Pro Bono Service Honors for providing more than 201 hours of pro bono service.