News
Judge Advocate Honored by Alma Mater
Cmdr. Tim Stone – who currently serves as the officer in charge at Defense Service Office (DSO) West in Bremerton, Wash. – was honored with an Outstanding Achievement Award from his undergraduate alma mater, Ottawa University, on Oct. 11, 2019.
Stone earned a bachelor of arts degree in history in 1990 from Ottawa University, which is located in Ottawa, Kan. Upon graduation, he attended Washburn University School of Law in …
JAG Community Member Named Honor Graduate of Sergeants Course
Marine Corps Sgt. Demontre Neal – who currently is assigned to the trial department at the Region Legal Service Office detachment in Pensacola, Fla. – was named Honor Graduate of the Sergeants Course on Sept. 30, 2019, at the National Naval Aviation Museum onboard Naval Air Station Pensacola.
Sergeants Course is a resident Professional Military Education course required for advancement within the Marine Corps’ enlisted ranks. The course – which …
Navy Reserve Law Program Holds Change of Office
WASHINGTON (NNS) – Rear Adm. Les E. Reardanz relieved Rear Adm. Carol M. Lynch as the deputy judge advocate general of the Navy for Reserve Affairs and Operations, and deputy commander, Naval Legal Service Command, at a change of office ceremony at the Washington Navy Yard Oct. 4.
“Those of you here today know the true value our Reservists brought to the JAG Corps under Carol Lynch’s leadership,” said Vice …
Judge Advocate Helps Plan Women’s Symposium in Sasebo
Lt. Shauna Morris – a judge advocate assigned to Defense Service Office (DSO) Pacific – played an integral role in the planning and execution of the 2019 Sasebo Women’s Waterfront Symposium on Sept. 18 at the Commander, Fleet Activities Sasebo (CFAS) Community Education Center.
Morris worked closely with Cmdr. Greta Densham, commanding officer of Naval Beach Unit 7, to design an inclusive and productive event. The symposium, titled “Embracing Life …
LT Thomas Caruso Receives Law School Award
Lt. Thomas M. Caruso has been named a recipient of the 2019 Syracuse Law Honors Awards, which are presented annually to celebrate the achievements of the university’s law school alumni, faculty and current students.
A tireless advocate for veterans rights, Caruso co-founded the Betty and Michael D. Wohl Family Veterans Legal Clinic, the first comprehensive veterans legal clinic in New York State. As a student and alum, Caruso has …
Judge Advocates Recognized with 2019 LATINA Style Awards
Two Navy judge advocates – Lt. Cmdr. Margaret “Maggie” Cole and Lt. Melissa “Mely” Rodriguez – were presented with 2019 LATINA Style Meritorious Service Awards on Sept. 5 at the 16th Annual National Latina Symposium in Arlington, Va.
The award recognizes military and Department of Defense civilian personnel who have enhanced the role of Latinas in their organizations in the areas of equal opportunity, civil rights programs, and public service …
American Bar Association Honors Navy Judge Advocates
The career achievements of three Navy judge advocates were recognized by the American Bar Association (ABA) during an awards ceremony in August at the organization's annual meeting in San Francisco, Calif.
Lt. Jim Howland -- branch officer at Defense Service Office West, Guam -- was presented with the ABA Outstanding Young Military Service Lawyer Award. Lt. Ben Maddox -- deputy staff judge advocate for the Commandant, Naval District Washington -- …
Naval Air Station Whidbey Island Holds Gender and Diversity Forum
Lt. Cmdr. Sarah R. Dorsett assisted Naval Air Station (NAS) Whidbey Island host a successful “Mission Readiness: Gender and Diversity in the United States Navy” forum on Ault Field.
Dorsett served as the Installation Staff Judge Advocate and the Branch Head and Legal Assistance attorney at Region Legal Service Office Northwest (RLSO NW) Branch Office Whidbey Island from July 2016 through July 2019.
Capt. Matt Arny, commanding officer of NAS …
JAG Community Member Completes Clerkship at D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals
Navy judge advocate Lt. Cmdr. Ben Adams took a new oath of office during a special ceremony at the National Archives in Washington, D.C., Aug. 13. Adams returned to active duty after completing a one-year clerkship at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit.
Judge Thomas Griffith – who was nominated to the court in 2005 by President George W. Bush – administered Adams’s oath of office. Adams …
Navy JAG Corps Officers Benefit from the Career Intermission Program
On Aug. 29, Navy judge advocate Lt. Cmdr. Ben Adams reported to Defense Service Office West (Detachment Bremerton) after a one-year career intermission to complete a clerkship at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit. Adams is one of several judge advocates who have taken advantage of the Navy’s Career Intermission Program (CIP), which allows service members – for various personal and professional reasons – to transfer …
Navy Hosts First Joint-Service Disability Evaluation System Certification Course
The Navy’s Disability Evaluation System Counsel Program (DESCP) hosted the first-ever Joint Service DESCP Training and Certification Course at Lackland Air Force Base, July 15-18. Nearly 200 practitioners from all branches of service attended this milestone event, which was planned and staffed by JAG community personnel.
“The information we learned at this critical training course will help us better serve our nation’s wounded warriors,” said Capt. David Gonzalez, director of …
Distinguished NLSC Attorney Earns Award, Selected for the Executive Leadership Development Program
Region Legal Service Office Naval District Washington (RLSO NDW) is proud to announce that Erica S. Riley has been selected to participate in the Department of Defense’s (DoD) prestigious and highly competitive Executive Leadership Development Program (ELDP). Riley will be in the 2020 ELDP cohort. Region Legal Service Office Naval District Washington (RLSO NDW) is proud to announce that Erica S. Riley has been selected to participate in the Department …
CNO Naval History Essay Contest Winner
Lt. Philip D. Mayer was selected as a winner of the 2019 CNO Naval History Essay Contest in the category of Rising Historian for his essay "Incubate Innovation: The Development of Naval Aviation in the Interwar Period". Lt. Philip D. Mayer was selected as a winner of the 2019 CNO Naval History Essay Contest in the category of Rising Historian for his essay "Incubate Innovation: The Development of Naval Aviation …
RLSO MIDLANT Holds Change of Command
Region Legal Service Office Mid-Atlantic (RLSO MIDLANT) held its change of command ceremony at Vista Point Center on 10 July 2019. Region Legal Service Office Mid-Atlantic (RLSO MIDLANT) held its change of command ceremony at Vista Point Center on 10 July 2019.
The full audience included many distinguished guests from every area of the Judge Advocate General’s Corps and from the line community as well. Cmdr. Hollis N. Simodynes relieved …
RLSO NDW LGBT Pride Celebration and Reflection Event
Region Legal Service Office Naval District Washington (RLSO NDW) Inclusion & Diversity Heritage Committee held a LGBT Pride professional development event in observance of LGBT Pride Month on June 19. The event, held in the RLSO NDW courtroom, drew several dozen JAG Community members from across the National Capital Region, including Navy Judge Advocate General Vice Adm. John Hannink and colleagues from RLSO NDW, Defense Service Office North and the …
Fleet Engagement Efforts in Rota
The Region Legal Service Office (RLSO) is renewing its focus on Fleet engagement. To support this effort, the RLSO has designed and rolled-out the Fleet Legal Engagement Program (FLEP) to create positive opportunities for Sailors to engage with the Navy’s legal team. The Region Legal Service Office (RLSO) is renewing its focus on Fleet engagement. To support this effort, the RLSO has designed and rolled-out the Fleet Legal Engagement Program …
National Security Law Extern Makes His Mark
Alex Park knew he wanted to be a judge advocate even before he applied to the Georgetown University Law Center. Alex Park knew he wanted to be a judge advocate even before he applied to the Georgetown University Law Center.
“That feeling was solidified when, while in law school, I learned the JAG Corps provided an opportunity for travel, challenging assignments, and work in multiple legal practice areas,” he said. …
NCIS SJA Presents Law Enforcement Public Service Award to Interagency Investigative Team
Lt. David Layne, staff judge advocate, Executive Assistant Director for Atlantic Operations Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS), presented a public service award to members of the NCIS, Defense Criminal investigative Service, Internal Revenue Service, and Federal Bureau of Investigation for their work in the case of United States v. Randolph M. Prince. Lt. David Layne, staff judge advocate, Executive Assistant Director for Atlantic Operations Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS), presented a …
Marriage in Japan — Misconception and Actuality
Servicemembers often come to Servicemembers often come to Region Legal Service Office (RLSO) Western Pacific seeking advice in getting married in Japan. They visit us either to seek information regarding the process or assistance in obtaining command approval. They often come misinformed. This article is intended to dispel the five most common misconceptions about getting married in Japan. seeking advice in getting married in Japan. They visit us either to …
The JAG Community Supports BALTOPS 2019
Eight members of the Navy’s JAG community – as well as U.S. Marine Corps judge advocates and a civilian attorney – provided critical legal support to the Baltic Operations (BALTOPS) 2019 exercise June 9-21 in the Baltic Sea region. Eight members of the Navy’s JAG community – as well as U.S. Marine Corps judge advocates and a civilian attorney – provided critical legal support to the Baltic Operations (BALTOPS) 2019 …