Navy Reserve Capt. James H. Burns was promoted in a small ceremony at Region Legal Service Office Southeast (RLSO SE), Jacksonville, Fla., on Aug. 4, 2017. Capt. Anthony Kalams, the Commanding Officer for Naval Reserve RLSO SE component, presided over the ceremony and administered the oath of office.  Navy Reserve Capt. James H. Burns was promoted in a small ceremony at Region Legal Service Office Southeast (RLSO SE), Jacksonville, Fla., on Aug. 4, 2017. Capt. Anthony Kalams, the Commanding Officer for Naval Reserve RLSO SE component, presided over the ceremony and administered the oath of office. 

Capt. Patrick Gibbons, commanding officer for RLSO SE, pinned on Burns’ new rank. Burns, a native of Columbia, S.C., graduated from the Citadel in 1996 with a bachelor of arts in political science. He commissioned through NROTC and was a Surface Warfare Officer, serving on the USS Vella Gulf (CG 72) and USS Briscoe (DD 977).   Capt. Patrick Gibbons, commanding officer for RLSO SE, pinned on Burns’ new rank. Burns, a native of Columbia, S.C., graduated from the Citadel in 1996 with a bachelor of arts in political science. He commissioned through NROTC and was a Surface Warfare Officer, serving on the USS Vella Gulf (CG 72) and USS Briscoe (DD 977).  

After being selected for the Law Education Program, Burns earned his Juris Doctor degree (cum laude) from the University of South Carolina School of Law in 2002. Burns’ active duty assignments include Deputy Legal Counsel, Office of the Vice Chief of Naval Operations; Assistant Force Judge Advocate for Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command; and Trial Counsel, Trial Service Office Southeast. In September 2008, Burns affiliated with the Navy Reserve and has held various positions throughout the organization, including Defense Counsel and Executive Officer of Naval Reserve Region Legal Service Office Mid-Atlantic. He is currently a partner at the law firm of Nelson, Mullins, Riley, & Scarborough LLP in Columbia, South Carolina and active in his local community. After being selected for the Law Education Program, Burns earned his Juris Doctor degree (cum laude) from the University of South Carolina School of Law in 2002. Burns’ active duty assignments include Deputy Legal Counsel, Office of the Vice Chief of Naval Operations; Assistant Force Judge Advocate for Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command; and Trial Counsel, Trial Service Office Southeast. In September 2008, Burns affiliated with the Navy Reserve and has held various positions throughout the organization, including Defense Counsel and Executive Officer of Naval Reserve Region Legal Service Office Mid-Atlantic. He is currently a partner at the law firm of Nelson, Mullins, Riley, & Scarborough LLP in Columbia, South Carolina and active in his local community.