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PATRICIA TOLLIVER GILES ’98

U.S. DISTRICT JUDGE

EASTERN DISTRICT OF VIRGINIA ALEXANDRIA, VIRGINIA

DESCRIBE YOUR WORK: Every day is different. I may be in motions hearings, plea hearings, trial or in chambers preparing for court. From moment to moment, I could be deciding a case involving constitutional issues, employment law, patents, contracts, criminal law or a host of other areas of law. It is an awesome responsibility, and I fully appreciate that my decisions impact many lives.

WHAT ACTIVITIES DO YOU ENJOY OUTSIDE OF WORK?

I would love to say that I have interesting talents and hobbies, such as penning a novel or creating some abstract masterpiece, but I don’t. I spend most of my free time enjoying my family, friends and dog. When I consider the obligations of work and everyday life, spending quality time with people who matter the most to me is what I treasure. I also enjoy exploring nature and listening to podcasts from time to time.

ARE YOU WHERE YOU EXPECTED TO BE AT THIS STAGE OF YOUR CAREER AND LIFE? Yes and no. I definitely envisioned a legal career in public service. I thought I would be doing that as a trial attorney. I never envisioned myself as a U.S. District judge. But thankfully I had mentors who encouraged me to think about this path. As a judge, I am still very much a public servant, so in that way I am doing what I envisioned— service. My advice to students and younger attorneys: Do not limit yourself. You don’t know what is truly possible. Each day, commit to working hard and doing your best— in matters big and small— so that you will be prepared for the opportunity when it arises.

WHAT DO YOU LIKE ABOUT YOUR LIFE 25 YEARS AFTER LAW SCHOOL? Both personally and professionally, I’m in a great place. I’m doing work that is not only intellectually stimulating but more importantly, personally gratifying— every day is an act of service. Additionally, 25 years later, I know myself in a way that I did not when I first graduated. I’m more confident and know about setting priorities and having balance in my life.

BY PAUL B. STEPHAN ’77

BIG DATA LOOMS LARGE IN TODAY’S WORLD. Much of the tech sector regards the construction of enormous sets of searchable data as a substantial part of its business model. Surveillance-oriented states—China, first and foremost— uses big data to monitor their own people as well as potential foreign threats. Many other states are not far behind in the surveillance arms race. Most recently, ChatGPT has revived popular interest in artificial intelligence, which depends on big data to optimize its capabilities.

Could big data join territory, people and property as objects of international controversy, including armed conflict? So far it has not mattered much in Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. But future conflicts could

The international community might hope that this stance can survive as big data gains more significance and value. I wonder, though, if the facts change, shouldn’t we reassess our views? Why not deter attacks on big data with armed force?

The alternative involves what one might call legal stovepiping. Rather than trying to fit cyberattacks into a broader legal framework, whether IHL or the law of self-defense, states might instead treat cyber operations as sui generis and develop consistent state practice that implies views regarding acceptable conduct.