Interested in JAG opportunities? This is a chance to meet individually with CPT Christopher D. Donlin, Office of The Judge Advocate General, U.S. Army, on campus on February 28. Schedule your time now in the “events” section of Symplicity.
JAG information:
AREAS OF PRACTICE
The Army JAG Corps is an attractive career opportunity for young lawyers interested in challenging themselves in a variety of legal fields. Judge Advocates are stationed throughout the United States and overseas. They are involved in a broad range of cases in many different legal fields.
Criminal Law
Judge Advocates may serve as prosecutors or defense counsel in criminal cases (courts-martial). After gaining experience at the trial level, Judge Advocates often serve as appellate counsel. Commanders can take a wide range of administrative and disciplinary measures short of a court-martial, and they depend on Judge Advocates to advise them on the most appropriate course of action.
Legal Assistance
Judge Advocates working in Legal Assistance provide counsel and advice to Soldiers, retirees and their families regarding a wide range of legal issues. These cases may include estate planning, immigration and naturalization law, family law, landlord-tenant law, state and Federal tax matters and consumer protection. Legal assistance attorneys have the could also serve overseas, and gaining hands-on experience in the laws of their host-nation.
Civil Litigation
During an average year, Judge Advocates represent the interests of the United States in a full range of tort claims, totaling more than $80 million. In addition, Judge Advocates recover more than $20 million in tort-feasors involving injuries to Army personnel and property. In all cases affecting the Army, Judge Advocates investigate and prepare the case for trial in coordination with the Department of Justice or the local U.S. Attorney.
Administrative Law
Just as corporate supervisors and CEOs depend on corporate lawyers for advice in civilian practice, Judge Advocates provide legal advice to commanders and staff officers. Judge Advocates practicing Administrative Law work on issues as varied as environmental law, Privacy Act and Freedom of Information Act matters, as well as in such areas as intelligence oversight and military enforcement of civil laws.
Labor Law
As the largest civilian employer in the country, the U.S. Army is involved in a considerable amount of labor litigation. Judge Advocates advise Commanders on all aspects of labor management relations for both private and public-sector union matters. Judge Advocates may also be called upon to represent the Army in Federal court, or in administrative hearings before the Merit Systems Protection Board, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission or the Federal Labor Relations Authority.
International Law
As Army personnel are stationed in other countries, questions will arise about the interpretation of international agreements as well as foreign laws. Judge Advocates participate actively in negotiating and drafting international agreements involving the status of U.S. Forces. Judge Advocates also observe and report on foreign trials of U.S. service members to ensure that the due process rights of U.S. personnel are respected. Finally, Judge Advocates uphold the legal obligations of the United States under applicable international agreements.
Operational Law
Judge Advocates provide legal advice to Commanders and their staffers on domestic, foreign and international laws that influence military operations. This includes reviewing military plans and providing advice on the laws of war, rules of engagement, domestic law relating to deployment of forces in support of our allies, and the legal aspects of civil affairs.
Teaching
Experienced Judge Advocates may be selected to teach at The Judge Advocate General’s School in Charlottesville, Va., The United States Military Academy at West Point, or other military schools throughout the United States. The Army also encourages Judge Advocates to publish scholarly articles in the Military Law Review, The Army Lawyer, and civilian legal publications.
Medical Law
Some Judge Advocates specialize in legal problems specific to hospital administration, medical practice and research. They may be involved in such matters as the credentialing of health care professionals, human subject research, risk management programs, and medical malpractice claims.
Contract Law
The Army deals with a large amount of contracts as part of the overall budget. Judge Advocates review most contracts for supplies, services, construction, and research and development. They may also be called to render legal opinions on procurement procedures, bid protests, contract terminations and contract appeal disputes. In addition, Judge Advocates will serve as legal advisors to contracting Officers and boards of award. Experienced Judge Advocates litigate contract disputes before the Armed Services Board of Contract Appeals and the U.S. Court of Claims.
BENEFITS OF SERVING IN THE JAG CORPS
Judge Advocates are the face of the U.S. Army’s legal system. As members of the U.S. Army, they possess many intangible attributes, like leadership ability, discipline and mental fortitude. But they also have access to many exclusive benefits.
.Begin service as a Commissioned Officer (First Lieutenant) .Enter the Army at an advanced pay grade .Receive a promotion within 6-12 months of being commissioned as an Officer
Immediate Experience
Judge Advocates are often trusted with responsibilities and casework that would take years of experience to obtain in a civilian law firm. They also have access to continuing legal education opportunities and one-on-one mentoring from superiors.
Collaborative Work Environment
The JAG Corps provides attorneys with a supportive atmosphere. Since young Judge Advocates are often trusted with more complicated tasks and more responsibility than their civilian counterparts, counseling from superiors and veteran JAG Corps attorneys is placed as a priority. This allows the Corps to foster an environment of collaboration and constructive criticism that is often absent in civilian firms.
The Army JAG Corps proudly supports employment equality, as diversity is a critical part of the Army experience and a foundational tenet of the Army JAG Corps.
Educational Opportunities
Judge Advocates will have plenty of chances to further their professional development, including:
.Continuing Legal Education (CLE)
.L.L.M.(Military Law)
.L.L.M. (Specialized)
.Command and General Staff College
.Special Military Training (including Airborne, Air Assault, and Ranger School) .War College
Long term Career opportunities
The JAG Corps offers dozens of professional development opportunities for Judge Advocates who wish to expand their initial four-year active duty service obligation. Some of the current positions available include:
.Supervisory positions
.Appellate practice
.Military judges
.Teaching
REQUIREMENTS
Entry into the JAG Corps is extremely competitive. The U.S. Army is currently accepting only the highest legal talent, and academic standards are very strict. In addition to academics, applicants are expected to exhibit the leadership qualities befitting Officer in service to his or her country.
.Applicant must be a U.S. Citizen.
.Applicant must pass a security clearance.
.Applicant must adhere to U.S. Army standards of physical fitness.
.Applicant must have graduated from an ABA-accredited law school.
.Applicant must have been admitted to the bar of either a Federal court or the highest court of any state in the United States or the District of Columbia.
Applicants must be able to serve 20 years of active commissioned service before reaching the age of 62. Applicants must be under the age of 42 at the time of entry into active duty service.
Successful applicants who accept a direct commission in the U.S. Army JAG Corps incur a four-year active duty service obligation (ADSO). Judge Advocates choosing to continue serving in the JAG Corps will find unlimited opportunities for both personal and professional development.
2L SUMMER INTERNSHIP PROGRAM
Qualified second-year law (2L) students at ABA-accredited law schools have the opportunity to join the U.S. Army JAG Corps on an internship. As an intern, you’ll be given a variety of responsibilities. You’ll have to think on your feet, make decisions, and you’ll be involved in cases from start to finish.
Each summer, the Army JAG Corps hires 2L law students to work as legal interns in hundreds of offices across the United States. Interns also have the opportunity to work in Germany, South Korea, and Japan among several other countries. For 60 days, these summer interns work as temporary civil service employees performing a variety of legal tasks. *Interns do not incur a military service obligation by participating in the JAG Corps 2L Summer Intern Program.
Interns will have the opportunity to work under the supervision of experienced Judge Advocates in a wide range of JAG Corps legal disciplines. You may be asked to draft motions, briefs, or legal opinions, conduct a claims investigation, interview witnesses, or assist in the preparation of a court-martial. Your Judge Advocate supervisor will assess your progress and review your work for completeness, soundness, and proper application of legal methods and principles. Most importantly, your supervisor will provide you a Summer Intern Evaluation Report, with a detailed assessment of your overall duty performance.
Eligibility: Second-year law students at ABA-accredited law schools (includes provisional accreditation) Number Hired: Depending on Annual Fiscal Authorizations, approximately 75 law students per summer
Locations: Worldwide (including Korea, Hawaii, Japan, Italy, and Germany)
Duration: 60 calendar days
Application Deadlines: 2Ls: November 1st