U.S. Navy Judge Advocate General’s Corps

LCDR Elizabeth A. Rosso

JAG Corps Accessions Detailer,
PERS-4416E

“Being stationed aboard USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) is something I could not have done had I chosen to pursue a more traditional legal career path," said Lt. Cmdr. Elizabeth Rosso. "Living and practicing in an operational environment really helped me to understand and appreciate what our Sailors do on a daily basis. During my time onboard, the ship completed a full set of workups, a Persian Gulf deployment in support of Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom, and a six-month yard period. I had the opportunity to visit four countries, fly on and off the ship, and qualify as officer of the deck. No law firm could provide all of those experiences!”

Originally from Pittsburgh, Pa., Rosso received her J.D. from Duquesne University and a Master of Arts in National Security from the Naval War College." She joined the Navy JAG Corps nine years ago for the accelerated experience and the opportunity to travel.

Legalman Chief Hamite Arifi

Paralegal, Office of the Secretary of Defense,
Office of Military Commissions

“My most rewarding experience has been my deployments during the current military operations," said Legalman Chief Hamite Arifi. "I have been afforded opportunities to continue advanced Albanian language and advanced legal training. My future training includes a course in Arabic so that I may expand my language skills for future assignments.”

Arifi was born in Kosovo and moved to the United States in 1968, where she grew up in New York. She graduated with a B.A. from New York University in 2004 with a concentration in History. Chief Arifi enlisted in the Naval Reserve in 2002.

Lt Jaspreet Saini

Assistant Staff Judge Advocate,
Joint Task Force, GTMO/SJA

“In law school, I frequently read articles and legal briefs about the detention conditions and the legality of the facility at Guantanamo Bay, but never imagined that I would get to work here one day," said Lt. Jaspreet Saini. "When I had the opportunity to work at Joint Task Force Guantanamo and be one of the staff judge advocates for the detention facility, I quickly jumped at the chance. Thus far, some of the legal issues I have worked on include providing advice on pre-trial agreements and detainee medical care, and meeting with the detainees as the staff judge advocates liaison to the Joint Detention Group. Working at Joint Task Force Guantanamo has been one of the most challenging and intriguing jobs I have ever had, and I know I would never have had such an opportunity other than in the JAG Corps.”

Saini was born in Bakersfield, Calif. She received a bachelor's degree in Political Science from University of California, Berkeley in 2002 and a J.D. from George Washington University in 2005. She joined the Navy in October of 2008.

Cdr Florencio J. Yuzon

Deputy Legal Counsel,
Office of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff

“Working with and having the opportunity to lead the absolute best and brightest attorneys, enlisted personnel, and civilians has been the most professionally rewarding experience," said Cmdr. Florencio Yuzon. "As an action officer, department head, executive officer, or deputy staff judge advocate to all U.S. Forces in Iraq, you truly learn to focus efforts and rely on others to act as a team to meet mission objectives. Every person has something to contribute, and the key has always been to tap into that potential. It's amazing what can be accomplished under the most austere conditions or the most intense pressures!”

Yuzon was born and raised in Amherst, Ohio. He received a bachelor's degree in Political Science, a master's degree in International Relations, and a J.D. from Case Western Reserve University. He was commissioned in 1994 under the JAG Corps Student Program and came on active duty in 1997. Yuzon joined the JAG Corps for the unique opportunities to travel, serve his country, practice outside the traditional law firm setting, and focus on the most cutting-edge legal issues faced by the Department of Defense which affect our national strategy.

Legalman 2nd Class Angela R. Houston

General Paralegal,
USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75)

“My most rewarding moment in the JAG Corps was when I was able to use my sign language skills to interpret for the mother and father of a young client and to help them understand the situation the legal process that their daughter was going through," said Legalman 2nd Class Angela Houston. "I was proud to be able to assist the JAG Corps and the family by using a skill and a talent that is very important to me and has played a major role in my life.”

Houston was born in San Leandro, Calif. She attended the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising in San Francisco, and currently attends Roger Williams University, pursuing her degree in Paralegal Studies. She has been in the Navy for more than five years and has worked for the JAG Corps since March 2008. Houston joined the JAG Corps because it encouraged her to strive for more in her Navy career.

CDR Marcus Fulton

Executive Officer,
Naval Legal Service Office Northwest

“My most rewarding experience has been the two deployments I did on the aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69)," said Cmdr. Marcus Fulton. "I was proud to be able to contribute to the mission of an important national asset. The commanding officers and executive officers of our carriers are extremely smart, hard working people, and it was an honor to be trusted by them with their most difficult problems. I enjoyed having the responsibilities that come with being a department head on a ship such as standing duty as command duty officer. We did two deployments in two years, which really brought the crew together, and I made very close friends among the officers. The port visits were great, both in the Mediterranean and in the Middle East. I wouldn't trade that experience for anything.”

Fulton was born in Wooster, Ohio. He received his bachelor's degree from Ohio State University and his J.D. from the University of Cincinnati. He joined the Navy 14 years ago for the adventure and to be near the ocean.

LCDR Gilbert Serrano

Command Services Department Head,
Region Legal Service Office Southwest

“Serving as the discipline officer on board the USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) aircraft carrier was by far the most rewarding and memorable experience of my Navy career," said Lt. Cmdr. Gilbert Serrano. "I have life-long friends and fantastic sea stories from deployment. However, my most valuable legal experience was when I was tasked to prepare a comparative law memorandum explaining the differences between the Mexican and U.S. criminal justice systems. This memorandum provides the Department of Defense with a legal analysis for all cases in which U.S. service members are processed for crimes in Mexico. I find it hard to imagine a profession more diverse than the Navy JAG Corps.”

Originally from San Diego, Calif., Serrano obtained a B.S. in Civil and Environmental Engineering from Stanford University and a J.D. from Loyola Law School in Los Angeles. After serving 10 years on active duty, Serrano joined the reserve JAG Corps. He is currently on an extended active duty assignment in San Diego.

Lacey White

Budget Analyst, Fiscal and Administrative Support,
Office of the Judge Advocate General

“I have a tremendous amount of respect and admiration for all the men and women in uniform and truly take pride in being a member of the JAG Corps," said Lacey White. "There is such a high level of camaraderie here and I enjoy being a part of it. I also cannot express how grateful I am to have such amazing group of co-workers. I genuinely enjoy the people I work with and coming into the office each day. We have such a great balance of working very hard, while still keeping the work environment upbeat and fun.”

Originally from Dayton, Ohio, White obtained a bachelor's degree in Management from George Mason University, and will complete her MBA in August 2012. White joined the JAG Corps in May 2009.

Lt Alex Wann

Command Judge Advocate,
Naval Base Coronado

“The best and most professionally rewarding experience in the Navy JAG Corps was my deployment with Rule of Law Field Force—Afghanistan," said Lt. Alex Wann. "I spent seven months in Arghandab District, Kandahar Province, working directly with Afghan national security prosecutors and Afghan National Police to develop legal processes, including apprehension, investigation, and prosecution of suspected insurgents. This deployment completely changed my perspective of the importance of law. Had I not joined the JAG Corps, I know for certain I would not have been able to take part in such an important mission. I feel lucky that I had the unique opportunity to view the law through the eyes of another culture.”

Originally from Columbus, Ohio, Wann obtained his B.A. in History from Northwestern University, Evanston, Ill., and his J.D. from the University of Illinois, Champaign, Ill. Wann joined the Navy in January 2009 because he felt that the JAG Corps would draw a different type of person than a traditional firm and wanted to work with people who put the needs of others before their own, and people who want to serve their country.