News 2013

Haitian Orphanage

Haitian Orphanage

December 3rd, 2013

Last spring, I had the opportunity to travel to Haiti and volunteer at the Maison Fortune Orphanage School, officially named, “L’Ecole Mixte Jean Louis Fortuné.” Maison Fortune is in Hinche, a small city in central Haiti which has a population of 50,000.  The orphanage was founded in 2000 with only four children on site.  Last spring, I had the opportunity to travel to Haiti and volunteer at the Maison Fortune …

NLSC Junior Officer, Sailor of the Quarter

November 22nd, 2013

Lt. Jon T. Taylor, assigned to Defense Service Office North, was selected as Naval Legal Service Command's Junior Officer of the Quarter. As the core attorney for the Washington Navy Yard Headquarters Office, Taylor carried the heaviest caseload throughout Defense Service Office North. He defended three contested trials, six Article 32 hearings and two guilty plea hearings. As Command Training Officer, he implemented a command training plan that successfully provided …

Asa Rubman NFPA Paralegal of the Year

November 21st, 2013

Lt. j.g. Alison J. Dean, Region Legal Service Office Northwest [caption id="attachment_10581" align="alignright" width="300"] [caption id="attachment_10581" align="alignright" width="300"]Asa Rubman, Region Legal Service Office Northwest, receives the National Federation of Paralegal Associations (NFPA) Paralegal of the Year Award from Theda Yandell, region director, NFPA. Asa Rubman, Region Legal Service Office Northwest, receives the National Federation of Paralegal Associations (NFPA) Paralegal of the Year Award from Theda Yandell, region director, NFPA. Mr. Asa Rubman, a civilian paralegal specialist with Region Legal Service Office Northwest (RLSO NW) in Bremerton, Wash., was selected as the 2013 Paralegal of the …

Deputy Judge Advocate General of the Navy honored by National Bar Association

November 12th, 2013

WASHINGTON -- The Deputy Judge Advocate General and Commander, Naval Legal Service Command, received the Major General Kenneth D. Gray Excellence in Jurisprudence Award from the National Bar Association at George Washington University Law School, Nov. 7. WASHINGTON -- The Deputy Judge Advocate General and Commander, Naval Legal Service Command, received the Major General Kenneth D. Gray Excellence in Jurisprudence Award from the National Bar Association at George Washington University …

Navy Attorneys Attend Victims' Legal Counsel Training

November 5th, 2013

The first group of Navy Victims' Legal Counsel (VLC) attended the Air Force's Special Victims' Counsel Course Air Force's Special Victims' Counsel Course at the Air Force Judge Advocate General's School, at Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala., Oct. 15-18.

Throughout the week students received training in effective victim interaction, policies and procedures related to victim legal support, and practical advocacy of victim rights and interests. I am very excited about …

Legal Assistance Attorney Selected for Prestigious ABA Award

September 10th, 2013

Region Legal Service Office Hawaii is proud to announce the selection of Sarah Courageous, for the prestigious 2012 American Bar Association Legal Assistance for Military Personnel ( is proud to announce the selection of Sarah Courageous, for the prestigious 2012 American Bar Association Legal Assistance for Military Personnel (LAMP) Distinguished Service Award.) Distinguished Service Award.

The LAMP Award highlights exceptional support of the military legal assistance effort.  Rear …

Taking a Break

August 21st, 2013

02:55
VIDEO | 02:55 | Taking a Break

Enlisted Reserve Law Program Award Winners

August 16th, 2013

RADM Hugh H. Howell, Jr. Award of Excellence - Legalman 2nd Class Rose Terry, Navy Reserve Operational Support Unit 0659 and cross-assigned to NR Region Legal Service Office Mid-Atlantic and and Legalman 2nd Class Jose Torres, NR International Law (OJAG Code 10). Terry filled the dual-roles of career counselor, counseling for 67 sailors in multiple rates; and training petty officer supervising a team of eight to ensure all members …

Navy Lawyer Among “Nation’s Best Advocates: 40 Lawyers Under 40"

July 23rd, 2013

WASHINGTON (NNS) -- Navy judge advocate, Lt. Tashinda Richardson, has been named to the National Bar Association (NBA) and IMPACT’s “Nation’s Best Advocates: 40 Lawyers Under 40.” Honorees will be recognized at the NBA’s 88th Annual Convention in Miami, Fla., July 27. WASHINGTON (NNS) -- Navy judge advocate, Lt. Tashinda Richardson, has been named to the National Bar Association (NBA) and IMPACT’s “Nation’s Best Advocates: 40 Lawyers Under 40.” Honorees …

Promotion, Retirement of Rear Adm. Michael Quinn

July 12th, 2013

[caption id="attachment_10966" align="alignright" width="300"] Rear Adm. Michael I. Quinn Commander, Naval Civil Law Support Activity and Assistant Judge Advocate General of the Navy (Civil Law), addresses the audience during his retirement ceremony at the U.S. Navy Memorial. Quinn was promoted upon his retirement after 28 years of honorable and dedicated service to our Nation and our Navy. Rear Adm. Michael I. Quinn was promoted upon his retirement after 28 years …

2012 OJAG and NLSC Civilians of the Year

June 11th, 2013

Please join us in congratulating the Office of the Judge Advocate General and Naval Legal Service Command 2012 Civilians of the Year. Please join us in congratulating the Office of the Judge Advocate General and Naval Legal Service Command 2012 Civilians of the Year. Ms. Virginia Eilmus, Claims and Tort Litigation Division, 2012 Senior Civilian of the Year As the head of the Personnel Claims Unit, Claims and Tort Litigation …

From Navy Enlisted to Lawyer: Judge Advocate General's Corps Establishes Commissioning Program

June 10th, 2013

WASHINGTON (NNS) -- In a NAVADMIN released June 4, the Navy Judge Advocate General's (JAG) Corps announced the In-Service Procurement Program (IPP) designed to create a pathway for enlisted Sailors to become judge advocates.

The JAG Corps IPP is open to qualified and career-motivated enlisted personnel of all ratings. Candidates selected for the JAG Corps IPP have the opportunity to complete a Juris Doctor in preparation for a JAG Corps …

Nation’s Best Advocates: 40 Lawyers Under 40

June 6th, 2013

Congratulations to Lt. Tashinda Richardson, Region Legal Service Office Southwest Detachment Ventura County, on her selection as one of the National Bar Association's “Nation’s Best Advocates: 40 Lawyers Under 40." Congratulations to Lt. Tashinda Richardson, Region Legal Service Office Southwest Detachment Ventura County, on her selection as one of the National Bar Association's “Nation’s Best Advocates: 40 Lawyers Under 40."  The awardees will be honored at a special awards gala …

Navy Legalmen Revive "Tacking on the Crow"

Navy Legalmen Revive "Tacking on the Crow"

May 30th, 2013

NEWPORT, R.I. (NNS) -- The Navy's newest legalmen revived the old tradition of "tacking on the crow" during a frocking ceremony at the Naval Justice School May 17. "Tacking on the crow" involves Sailors taking turns stitching on the petty officer rating badge to the sleeve of a newly-advanced Sailor, representing the new rank/rate.

 Chief Legalman Cheryl Elliott, a Naval Justice School course coordinator, started the first tack with a …

Navy JAG Focuses on Recruiting the Right People

May 24th, 2013

A key to a successful future for our Corps is recruiting the right people. Building a JAG Corps that is rich in integrity, quality, and diversity is only possible through sustained engagement with law students and leaders in the legal community. The Spring 2013 Accessions Selection Board professionally recommended 26 student program candidates and four direct accession candidates out of 555 impressive applicants. The five percent selection rate is an …

Spotlight On: Master Chief Legalman Shannon Charles

May 23rd, 2013

This week, we congratulate Master Chief Legalman Shannon Charles, who recently earned a Master of Science Degree in Criminal Justice from Saint Leo University. | This week, we congratulate Master Chief Legalman Shannon Charles, who recently earned a Master of Science Degree in Criminal Justice from Saint Leo University. |

This accomplishment is the result of hard work and dedication since August 2011, when she began the program. Throughout the …

Appellate Government Code 46)

May 20th, 2013

If you want a bird’s eye view of the trial process, a tour in an appellate code at Navy-Marine Corps Appellate Review Activity (NAMARA) is a must.  The intricacies of litigation are not truly appreciated until you have sifted through a record of trial while researching an appellate issue.   Appellate practice can be likened to looking out the window on an airplane at the streets and cars down below,  …

NLSC Junior Officer and Sailor of the Quarter

May 9th, 2013

It is my distinct pleasure to recognize outstanding judge advocates and legalmen for professional excellence and dedication to service. I am pleased to announce the following individuals have been selected as the Naval Legal Service Command (NLSC) Junior Officer of the Quarter and Sailor of the Quarter for the period January to March 2013: It is my distinct pleasure to recognize outstanding judge advocates and legalmen for professional excellence and dedication to service. …

Rota Welcomes Newest U.S. Citizens During Ceremony

April 25th, 2013

 Naval Station Rota Spain welcomed seven new United States citizens as they took the oath of allegiance to the United States during a Naturalization ceremony held in the Region Legal Service Office courtroom of the Community Service Building March 13. Region Legal Service Office Legal Assistance Attorney Lt. Carina Podgorski welcomed the applicants and spoke of the importance this day.  Naval Station Rota Spain welcomed seven new United States citizens as they took the oath of allegiance …

Naval Legal Service Command Junior Officer and Sailor of the Quarter

February 26th, 2013

It is my privilege to recognize outstanding judge advocates and legalmen for professional excellence and dedication to service. I am pleased to announce the following individuals have been selected as the Naval Legal Service Command (NLSC) Junior Officer of the Quarter and Sailor of the Quarter for the period October to December 2012:  It is my privilege to recognize outstanding judge advocates and legalmen for professional excellence and dedication to …

DEV