United States Marine Corps Attorney

Profile

The Marine Corps Judge Advocate Division is much like a large firm, composed of more than 500 judge advocates and a comparable support staff. While you will most likely serve as a prosecutor or defense counsel in military courts-martial during your first tour, you will also have the opportunity during your career to practice law in areas as diverse as operational law, family law, environmental law, labor law and international law. Additionally, you may argue appellate cases before the Navy-Marine Corps Court of Criminal Appeals or the United States Court of Appeals of the Armed Forces. As a Marine Corps Judge Advocate, there are many areas of specialty in which you may practice law.

As you gain experience, you may transition to other areas of law, such as Civil Law and Legal Assistance, or act as in-house counsel. You will write ethics opinions and research issues pertaining to Environmental, Fiscal, Government Contracting, Labor and Employment, Claims and Tort Litigation Law and other legal matters. You will also work closely with Marines and Marine families on Family, Consumer, Tax, Estate and Immigration Law issues.

You may serve aboard a Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), a ship of approximately 2,000 Marines that deploys globally, where you are responsible for all legal matters pertaining to the unit. Or you may deploy with a Marine Expeditionary Force (MEF), a Marine Air Ground Task Force (MAGTF) that deploys globally for larger-scale operations, where your responsibilities could include handling Rules of Engagement, Laws of War, Detention Operations, Investigations, Fiscal Law, Government Contracting, Foreign Claims, Military Justice, Host Nation Justice Systems, Legal Assistance and other legal issues that arise in a deployed environment.

Pay- Roughly $90,000-100,000 total, depending on location when including Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH). Also includes medical and dental benefits. Pay increases with promotions and total time in service.

Location- Training takes place in Quantico, VA and Newport, RI. Once you have completed your training, you will be assigned to a permanent duty station. Duty stations include, but are not limited to: California, South Carolina, Virginia, Hawaii, and Japan.

Requirements:

• US citizenship (dual citizenship is okay)
• 22+ on the ACT or 1000+ on the SAT
• 150+ on the LSAT (Waivers available for 144 and up.)
• Bachelor's degree from an accredited university
• 1L-3L full time students OR Bar Certified

Company info

United States Marine Corps

Company Profile

The Marine Corps is currently hiring lawyers interested in earning their commission as an officer in the United States Marine Corps as a Judge Advocate (similar to JAG for the other branches). As a Marine Judge Advocate, you will have guaranteed trial experience and will handle felony-level cases within your first 2 years in the fleet. You will also have the opportunity to serve outside the courtroom in various roles that can be held by any Marine Corps officer. This path is physically and mentally demanding, but you will be prepared for success by the Officer Selection Team.