AREAS OF PRACTICE
At home or abroad, the Army JAG Corps offers a breadth of legal work
What makes the Army JAG Corps such an attractive opportunity is the responsibility and variety of legal work it offers members of all levels. JAG Corps Attorneys are stationed throughout the United States and overseas. They are involved in a broad range of cases in military justice, contract law and international law — to name a few — and develop a working proficiency in numerous branches of the law. In a civilian law firm, it would take years to accumulate this kind of invaluable experience.
Take a moment to learn about some of the many legal fields available to JAG Corps Attorneys.
Criminal Law
JAG Corps Attorneys in this discipline serve as prosecutors, and with appropriate experience, are assigned as defense counsel in courts-martial as part of the Trial Defense Service. After gaining extensive experience at the trial level, JAG Corps Attorneys often serve as an appellate counsel. Criminal practice involves far more than simply filing charges in a case, then prosecuting or defending them in court. Commanders can take a wide range of administrative and disciplinary measures short of a court-martial, and they depend on JAG Corps Officers to advise them on the most appropriate course of action. As any JAG Corps Attorney in Military Justice will tell you, there are opportunities for a prosecutor or defense counsel to be an advocate both in and out of the courtroom.
Legal Assistance
Many JAG Corps Attorneys find Legal Assistance most satisfying because they provide counsel to Soldiers, retirees and their families regarding their personal legal problems. These cases cover a wide range of law, including estate planning, immigration and naturalization law, family law, landlord-tenant law, state and federal tax matters and consumer protection. Legal assistance attorneys serving overseas acquire the additional dimension of hands-on experience in the laws of the host-nation.
Civil Litigation
During an average year, JAG Corps Attorneys represent the interests of the United States in a full range of tort claims totaling more than 80 million dollars. In addition, more than 20 million dollars is recovered from tort-feasors involving injuries to Army personnel and property.
In all cases affecting the Army, JAG Corps Attorneys investigate and prepare the case for trial in coordination with the Department of Justice or the local U.S. Attorney. This preparation includes the drafting of pleadings, motions and briefs to be used by the trial or appellate attorney.
Administrative Law
Just as corporate supervisors and CEOs depend on corporate lawyers for advice in civilian practice, JAG Corps Attorneys provide advice to Commanders and Staff Officers. JAG Corps Attorneys practicing Administrative Law will work on issues as varied as personnel law, 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 employer of civilians in the country, the Army is involved in a considerable amount of labor litigation. JAG Corps Attorneys advise the Army on all aspects of labor management relations for both private and public-sector union matters. JAG Corps Attorneys may also be called upon to represent the Army in federal court or in administrative hearings before the Merit System Protection Board, the Equal 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. JAG Corps Attorneys also observe and report on foreign trials of U.S. personnel to ensure that the due process rights of U.S. personnel are respected, and to uphold the legal obligations of the U.S. under applicable international agreements.
Operational Law
JAG Corps Attorneys provide legal advice to Commanders and their staffs on domestic, foreign and international laws that control or influence the conduct of operations. This includes reviewing military operations plans and providing advice on the laws of war, rules of engagement, domestic law relating to employment of forces and support of our allies, and the legal aspects of civil affairs. JAG Corps Attorneys must be mentally and physically capable of providing advice on a broad range of complex legal issues under the most challenging of environments.
Teaching
Experienced and qualified JAG Corps Attorneys may be selected to teach on the faculty at The Judge Advocate General's School at Charlottesville, Virginia, The United States Military Academy at West Point or other military schools throughout the United States. Besides teaching, the Army encourages JAG Corps Attorneys to publish scholarly articles in the Military Law Review, The Army Lawyer and civilian legal publications.
Medical Law
Some JAG Corps Attorneys specialize in the 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 huge amount of contracts. JAG Corps Attorneys 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, JAG Corps Attorneys will serve as legal advisors to contracting Officers and boards of award. Experienced JAG Corps Attorneys litigate contract disputes before the Armed Services Board of Contract Appeals and the U.S. Court of Claims.
