Attorney at Law Magazine is proud to highlight lawyers who have served in the military in the 2024 Veterans in Law special issue.
Lawyers! I’m excited to introduce our first National Veterans in Law special issue! Over the years, we’ve produced issues honoring our nation’s heroes in local markets across the country, but it was time to bring this to our national readership.
The Then & Now section, starting on page 13 showcases some of the men and women who have served our country as both members of the military and lawyers. I want to thank each of them for their service and for sharing a bit of their story with us.
In this issue, we also sat down with several lawyers to get an in-depth look into their journey. Andy Beltran enlisted in the Marines in November of 2001. He returned to his service a few times before making his way through law school. Today, he has worked as a lawyer in Los Angeles for more than a decade, continuing to protect the U.S. Constitution.
Douglas Saeltzer accepted a directed commission in the U.S. JAGS Corp out of law school where he was able to fulfill his desire to serve his country while earning experience as a lawyer. Today, he works for one of the most prominent firms in San Francisco as a personal injury lawyer.
John Berry followed in his father’s footsteps by joining the military and then entering into the practice of law. Today, he oversees his father’s firm and continues to support veterans through his practice, offering them criminal defense, personal injury and veterans disability services.
Cosmo Zinkow and Stephanie Gumm found a way to support veterans after transitioning to the practice of law. In their story, learn about the organization Ethos which provides ongoing legal support to veteran-owned businesses.
Louis Patino has spent his whole career helping injured people. As a young man, he served as a combat medic before returning home to become a chiropractor. It wasn’t long before he found his way to the practice of law, representing clients in personal injury cases.
Our next special issue, Legal Legacy, will showcase lawyers who have carried on the family legacy of practicing law and the inspiration previous generations of lawyers have sparked in them. To participate, please contact me.
Happy Reading,
Kenneth Minniti
Publisher
As the sun dips below the horizon, casting a golden hue over the bustling city, a Marine veteran stands resolute in his corner office, a far cry from the battlefields he once traversed. With a disciplined mind forged in the heat of combat, he now fights a different kind of battle—one for justice in the courtroom. This is the story
Though he no longer wears the uniform, the pride and honor it symbolizes remain unwavering for trial attorney Douglas Saeltzer. The saying “Once a soldier, always a soldier” perfectly captures how his military experience has shaped his character. A highly decorated Army veteran, today Saeltzer is a shareholder and powerhouse plaintiff’s lawyer at San Francisco law firm Walkup Melodia Kelly
John Berry isn’t your typical attorney. With two decades of dedicated service in the United States Army and Nebraska National Guard, he brings a rare intensity and focus to his role as a trial attorney. For Berry, the saying “Eagles don’t fly in flocks” resonates deeply, echoing his belief in setting high standards, embracing solitude when necessary, and leading with
Louis “Doc” Patino has made a career out of helping the injured first as a combat medic at the age of 21, then as a chiropractor and finally as a plaintiff’s personal injury attorney. We sat down with him to discuss his career and how his time in the Army made him the lawyer he is today. AALM: Tell us
“Given the nature of our job, we see businesses make all kinds of mistakes—including those that unfortunately lead to litigation,” said Cosmo Zinkow, a commercial litigator with Poyner Spruill. “There were a lot of organizations out there focused on helping military vets start businesses, but none really focused on providing the ongoing legal support that they need.” Zinkow and fellow
Like his father and grandfather before him, both of whom served in World War II, Aylmar Thompson dedicated years of his life to his country, serving from 2009 to 2017 as an operations specialist Second Class for the U.S. Navy. Now a paralegal in Jacksonville Area Legal Aid’s Veterans Legal Services Unit, Thompson has used his service-related insights to help
As the sun dips below the horizon, casting a golden hue over the bustling city, a Marine veteran stands resolute in his corner office, a far cry from the battlefields he once traversed. With a disciplined mind forged in the heat of combat, he now fights a different kind of battle—one for justice in the courtroom. This is the story of Andy Beltran who transformed his military resolve into a thriving career as a personal injury and criminal defense attorney. With each case, he not only seeks to uphold the law but also to honor the values of courage, integrity, and perseverance instilled in him during his service.
Though he no longer wears the uniform, the pride and honor it symbolizes remain unwavering for trial attorney Douglas Saeltzer. The saying “Once a soldier, always a soldier” perfectly captures how his military experience has shaped his character. A highly decorated Army veteran, today Saeltzer is a shareholder and powerhouse plaintiff’s lawyer at San Francisco law firm Walkup Melodia Kelly
John Berry isn’t your typical attorney. With two decades of dedicated service in the United States Army and Nebraska National Guard, he brings a rare intensity and focus to his role as a trial attorney. For Berry, the saying “Eagles don’t fly in flocks” resonates deeply, echoing his belief in setting high standards, embracing solitude when necessary, and leading with
Louis “Doc” Patino has made a career out of helping the injured first as a combat medic at the age of 21, then as a chiropractor and finally as a plaintiff’s personal injury attorney. We sat down with him to discuss his career and how his time in the Army made him the lawyer he is today. AALM: Tell us
“Given the nature of our job, we see businesses make all kinds of mistakes—including those that unfortunately lead to litigation,” said Cosmo Zinkow, a commercial litigator with Poyner Spruill. “There were a lot of organizations out there focused on helping military vets start businesses, but none really focused on providing the ongoing legal support that they need.” Zinkow and fellow
Like his father and grandfather before him, both of whom served in World War II, Aylmar Thompson dedicated years of his life to his country, serving from 2009 to 2017 as an operations specialist Second Class for the U.S. Navy. Now a paralegal in Jacksonville Area Legal Aid’s Veterans Legal Services Unit, Thompson has used his service-related insights to help
In the following section, Attorney at Law Magazine highlights lawyers from across the nation who have served their country. We had the honor to talk to lawyers who served in the Army, the Navy, the Marines and the Air Force. Some continue to serve their country today in the Reserves. Thank you to all the lawyers who shared about their time in the military (then) and how that shaped the lawyers they are today (now).
Law Firm: Shumaker Loop & Kendrick LLP in Sarasota, FL
Military Branch: U.S. Air Force
Rank: Staff Sargeant
MOS: 1N353D (Crypto-Linguist)
Station: Ft. Meade, Maryland
Years Served: 6
Tell us about your transition from the military to the practice of law. After the military, I worked for a year as a Department of Defense contractor. I then went to law school at the University of Miami in 2003 and graduated cum laude in 2006.
How do you think your military service impacted your legal career? The military definitely taught me to be a more disciplined learner. I utilized the skills I learned in the military to become a better student.
What inspired your military service and what drew you to the practice of law? I wanted to serve my country and my community. The military helped me accomplish the first goal, whereas the practice of law helped me accomplish the second goal.
Law Firm: McDonald Carano LLP in Las Vegas, NV
Military Branch: U.S. Navy
Rank: CTT1 / E-6
MOS: Cryptologic Technician Technical/Information Warfare Specialist
Station: Denver, CO; Mayport, FL; Norfolk, VA
Years Served: 10 Years Active, Currently 8 Years in Naval Reserve
Tell us about your transition from the military to the practice of law. After 10 years of active duty service collaborating across the intelligence community but working specifically for the National Security Agency, I had been exposed to lawyers providing advice to commanders and flag officers throughout my operations and deployments. After speaking with several lawyers, I realized that the same type of analysis I performed for intelligence, cryptology, and information warfare was expected of lawyers. The main difference being that lawyers typically deal with public filings on the docket of the courts and my time in the intelligence community was all behind closed doors.
How do you think your military service impacted your legal career? When I deployed to Afghanistan, my work product would lead to life and death decisions. Now, my work product leads to monetary, injunctive or declaratory relief. The stakes are both very high, but understanding perspective makes the high stress nature of being a lawyer more manageable as I balance work and life.
What are some lessons you apply to your practice today? I draw upon the lessons that were engrained upon me in the Navy. Honor, Courage, and Commitment are an ethos that I practice every day as I advance the interests of my clients. Being able to speak truth to power and persuade those decisionmakers to agree with my point of view is something that was taught to me very early in my career and I apply every day I enter a courtroom.
What drew you to the practice of law? When I was in Afghanistan sitting around the commander’s table going through operations, intelligence, communications, and logistics, it always struck me that one of the last people to speak to the commander on a go/no-go operation was legal. I found it fascinating that the lawyers would distill every point of view and apply those facts to the law.
Law Firm: KEYTLaw LLC in Scottsdale, AZ
Military Branch: USAF
Rank: Captain
AFCS: 1555
Station: Mather Air Force Base, CA; Luke Air Force Base, AZ; Korat Air Base, Thailand; Kunsan Air Base, Korea & George Air Force Base, CA
Years Served: 1970-1976
I flew the F-4 Phantom supersonic fighter bomber for five years starting with an F-4 replacement training unit at Luke Air Force Base for six months in 1971-1972.
In the summer and fall of 1972, I was assigned to Korat Royal Thai Air Base, Thailand as part of the 35th Tactical Fighter Squadron. We flew combat missions over North Vietnam, South Vietnam and Laos.
After six months in Southeast Asia my squadron returned to Kunsan Air Base, Korea, where I sat on nuclear alert as part of the single integrated operational plan (SIOP) with a one megaton (1,000,000 tons of TNT) nuclear bomb on my F-4.
I also spent time on air defense alert and intercepted many Russian bombers approaching the coast of South Korea. F-4s on alert had to be airborne within 10 minutes of being scrambled, which was always an adrenaline-pumping experience. Nothing quite like playing Monopoly or cards with the guys in the alert shack one minute and blasting into the sky five minutes later at 600+ knots in a supersonic jet fighter carrying four AIM-7 Sparrow radar-guided missiles, four AIM-9 Sidewinder heat-seeking missiles and 700 rounds of 20mm ammunition.
I was an F-4 instructor in the 35th Tactical Fighter Training Squadron at George Air Force Base, California, 1973-1976. For three years I taught F-4 student pilots and weapons system officers: in the classroom (I taught aircraft general, weapons computer release system & combat mission planning), in the flight simulator, and airborne in the F-4.
Twice in 1974 and 1975 I picked up brand new F-4s from the McDonnell Douglas factory in St Louis and flew them across the Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea to deliver them to Tehran, Iran, for the Iranian Air Force during the Shah of Iran’s rule.
Law Firm: Poyner Spruill LLP in Raleigh, NC
Military Branch: Marines
Rank: Sergeant
MOS: 6257 (Fixed-Wing Aircraft Airframe Mechanic, F/A-18)
Station: VMFA-321, VMFA-142
Years Served: 7
Law Firm: Sidley Austin LLP in Washington DC
Military Branch: Navy
Rank: Lieutenant
MOS: Naval Aviator
Station: NAS Coronado
Years Served: 10
Tell us about your transition from the military to the practice of law. I was medically separated at the height of my career and had to find a whole new passion. It was quite a change since I had been flying since I was 14. The leadership and critical thinking skills that the military taught me were invaluable in being able to be successful in the whole process of becoming a lawyer, from studying the LSAT, to handling my first years back in a classroom in a decade and eventually the bar exam and practice in DV.
How do you think your military service impacted your legal career? My military experience helps me to keep everything in perspective. I feel like I am able to be successful in my practice because I can handle the stressful days, big decisions, and work life balance coming from a career that demanded excellence as well.
What inspired your military service? I always had a desire to give back. We are so fortunate to have been born in this country and enjoy freedoms that others only dream about. I knew from a young age it was important to protect that and try to help others. I feel grateful that I was able to do that with my military service and well as my new career as an attorney.
Law Firm: Goldwater Institute in Phoenix, AZ
Military Branch: Navy
Rank: O-5
MOS: Judge Advocate General’s Corps
Station: Multiple
Years Served: 16
How do you think your military service impacted your legal career? What are some lessons you apply to your practice today? While I was on active duty, I practiced primarily criminal law and served as both defense counsel and as a prosecutor. (I now do civil litigation and focus on appellate work.) Because many JAG Officers serve in both defense and government roles depending on rotating assignments, I found congeniality among attorneys and respect for the other side to be high. I try to incorporate those values in working with opposing counsel even now.
Law Firm: Pierce Coleman PLLC in Scottsdale, AZ
Military Branch: Army
Rank: LTC (Ret)
MOS: 27A
Station: Arizona Army National Guard
Years Served: 24
Tell us about your transition from the military to the practice of law. After graduating law school, I decided to join the Arizona National Guard. Most of my employment was in the public sector and my employers understood and appreciated the times I was away from civilian work while deployed on various domestic and combat missions – four long-term domestic deployments and four combat deployments.
How do you think your military service impacted your legal career? My military experience provided great training in leadership and decisive decision making, lessons and training you don’t get from civilian law practice.
Law Firm: Sidley Austin LLP in Washington D.C.
Military Branch: Navy
Rank: 0-3
MOS: 1220 (Engineering Duty Officer)
Station: Various
Years Served: 2007-2012
Tell us about your transition from the military to the practice of law: After five years of active duty, I transitioned to a Navy civilian position and used the Post 9/11 GI Bill to pursue law school at night. After completing law school, I switched over to private practice.
How do you think your military service impacted your legal career? My military service taught the value of teamwork and that no single individual is more important than the mission or organization.
What inspired your military service and what drew you to the practice of law? A desire to serve others.
Law Firm: Ball Janik LLP in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Military Branch: U.S. Navy
Rank: E-3
MOS: Undesignated
Station: USS Sampson (DDG 102), Amphibious Construction Battalion One (ACB-1)
Years Served: 4
How do you think your military service impacted your legal career? My military service instilled in me a strong sense of discipline, attention to detail, and a commitment to service, all of which have been foundational to my legal career. The ability to remain calm under pressure, adapt to changing situations, and work as part of a team translates seamlessly into the practice of law, particularly in high-stakes litigation. Additionally, my experience in the Navy strengthened my resolve to advocate for those in need, which is at the core of my work as an attorney.
What are some lessons you apply to your practice today? One of the key lessons I apply to my practice today is that effective leadership and teamwork stem from a deep, nuanced understanding of the tasks and roles of those around you. In the Navy, I learned that a command operates best when its leader takes accountability and understands the jobs beneath them, allowing for informed direction rather than leadership based solely on rank.
By grasping the finer details of the work done by my colleagues and team members, I provide better guidance and ensure we’re aligned in pursuing our shared goals. There is a purpose and power in working as a collective, and this was very important during my time in the Navy. Now, as an attorney, I am part of a team advocating for our clients.
What inspired your military service? My inspiration for military service came from a family legacy of service – my brother, uncle, and cousin all proudly served in the Navy.
Growing up, the values of service to our country were instilled in me, and I saw the Navy as a way to build the structure, discipline, and direction I wanted to start my adult life. Additionally, the unique opportunities for travel and the challenge of working in dynamic, often dangerous conditions were incredibly appealing to me.
What drew you to the practice of law? I was drawn to the practice of law because I’ve always had a natural talent for crafting persuasive arguments, whether debating with my father at home, negotiating with teachers at school, or making my case among friends. My passion for justice was further fueled by iconic films like A Few Good Men and The Rainmaker, which highlight the pursuit of truth and holding powerful entities accountable. Today, as an insurance recovery litigator, I feel like I’ve followed that same path of advocating for those who deserve justice.
Law Firm: Mark Cohen, J.D., LL.M. in Boulder, CO
Military Branch: Air Force
Rank: Captain
MOS: Asst. Staff Judge Advocate
Station: 55th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing, Offutt AFB, NE
Years Served: 1983-1987 (active), 1987-1990 (reserves)
Tell us about your transition from the military to the practice of law. I gained extensive trial experience in the military, but had little real world experience with civil litigation when I left active duty.
When I left active duty, I had a girlfriend in Omaha and got a job with a firm where one of the reservists at our base was a partner.
When I left active duty, there was no federal public defender in Nebraska, so I received a lot of criminal defense appointments from the local federal judges, which was great experience. My firm represented a major lender, so I gained a lot of civil litigation experience from that. As a civilian lawyer, I missed the camaraderie I had enjoyed while on active duty.
How do you think your military service impacted your legal career? My military experience greatly impacted my legal career. I received tremendous trial experience and after two years on active duty was appointed as a Special Asst. U.S. Attorney to prosecute civilians in federal court who were accused of committing crimes on the Air Force base. I had far more responsibility at age 27 than a civilian lawyer would have had at a large firm.
My boss, Col. Al Rubin, significantly improved my writing by marking up my drafts with a red pen and teaching me to eliminate excess words. I was also privileged to attend the Air Force Squadron Officers School, a nine-week program in leadership and problem solving. I eventually wrote two mysteries and got them published by Time-Warner, and I acknowledged Col. Rubin’s guidance in the forward to my first mystery.
I also got to see how a large organization works and how each person and each team helps contribute to an overall mission.
What inspired your military service and what drew you to the practice of law? Both of my parents were Air Force officers, so it was something I had always wanted to do. I was attracted to law by the chance to use my writing skills and the ability to be my own boss if I chose that path.
Law Firm: Rogers | Beltran LLP in Los Angeles, CA
Military Branch: U.S. Marine Corps
Rank: Private First Class
MOS: 0311 – Infantry Rifleman
Station: Served with 2nd Fleet Anti-Terrorism Security Team (2nd FAST) based in Yorktown, VA and with 2nd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, Fox Company in Camp Pendleton, CA
Years Served: 2001-2005
Law Firm: Sidley Austin LLP in Houston, TX
Military Branch: Texas Army National Guard
Rank: Sergeant
MOS: 19D (Cavalry Scout) & 35M (Human Intelligence Collector)
Station: Bryan, TX; Kosovo; Taylor, TX; Afghanistan; San Antonio, TX
Years Served: 2004-2011
Tell us about your time in the military. I began my military career in 2004 as a Cavalry Scout assigned to the Scout Platoon of the Headquarters Company, 1-112 Armor in Bryan, Texas, but I served for part of 2005 and all of 2006 in Kosovo with B Company, 1-141 Infantry Regiment. In 2007, I transferred to A Troop in Taylor, Texas, still with the 1-112th which had been redesignated as a Cavalry Regiment. In 2008 I changed my MOS to Human Intelligence Collector to assist with filling out the 636 Military Intelligence Battalion for a deployment to Afghanistan, I served with A Company of the 636 in Afghanistan during 2009. Upon return to Texas I was assigned to B Company, 636 Military Intelligence Battalion, stationed in San Antonio, Texas.
Tell us about your transition from the military to the practice of law. My path to the practice of law was a little convoluted, which eased the transition in many ways. In my younger days, I attended college but never settled on a major and ended up leaving school before I joined the military. So, on leaving service I had to spend two and a half years completing my undergraduate degree before attending law school and then starting practice. That prolonged period and the fact that I was a member of the National Guard helped minimize any issues with transition, and meant that my most difficult period of transition centered more around returns to civilian life after deployments.
How do you think your military service impacted your legal career? What are some lessons you apply to your practice today? Being a member of the National Guard means having a civilian job that you work other than the weekend drills each month and annual training in the summer (plus hurricane activations and, between 2001 and 2015, frequent deployments in support of the Global War on Terror). Juggling those responsibilities helped prepare me very well for the flexibility needed to succeed in my legal practice in Big Law. In addition, my military service gave me time to mature and develop as a person (which an older me can now admit my younger self very much needed), imparting skills that I would not have had if I started legal practice in my 20s and expanding my toolset for client service beyond what many new lawyers have. One other notable skill that I think the military developed for me is creativity in problem solving. In many ways, enlisted service in the military gives you a specific job and you get the luxury of not having to worry about other distractions (such as cooking meals, laundry, etc.) while on a deployment. But, your assigned job very often involves needing to achieve a stated objective within specified boundaries and with a limited toolset, none of which are what you would ideally think would be provided to achieve that stated goal. And so, you have to get creative to find ways to reach your goals while remaining positive. In many ways, negotiating complex M&A deals for clients can utilize the same skills in that we have to find ways to reach mutually agreeable situations despite practical restrictions, personality conflicts and sometimes seemingly impossible timelines. And finally, I think my service overall helps me to keep a positive attitude at times when things otherwise seem very difficult because, even if it is late and I am drafting a contract, in the back of my mind is always the thought that it could be worse, and I could be doing those same activities on a small laptop in a tent on hilltop in the middle of nowhere.
What drew you to the practice of law? When I was deployed to Afghanistan, my small team was assigned in support of a brigade from the 10th Mountain Division working in the eastern part of the country to establish a new base.
As part of that effort, we worked fairly regularly with a colonel who was a reservist and lawyer in his civilian career. He was in charge of much of the project planning and contracting for the base expansion and I got to know him fairly well over the six months we were on that base, listening to stories about what he did as a transactional lawyer back home and what that entailed. The job called to me and my interests in a way that nothing I had tried before that really had (I had switched majors three times in my initial undergraduate pursuits before leaving school and joining the military), so I researched it further and decided that transactional law was something that I thought would fit my personality and skills, and that I wanted to pursue.
I got lucky in my decision to attend Northwestern University for law school because they offered a wider range of transactional courses than most law schools and a significant number were taught as practical courses by adjunct professors who were partners in firms in the city. This gave me a great foundational skillset upon graduation.
Sidley has helped me expand that transactional skillset over the years and all signs say I made the right choice when I decided that transactional law would be a fit for me, because I continue to enjoy it still.
Law Firm: Moebes Law LLC in Atlanta, GA
Military Branch: Air Force
Rank: Lt Colonel
MOS: Medical Service Corps
Station: Dobbins Air Reserve Base
Years Served: 1998–2020
Tell us about your transition from the military to the practice of law. Serving in a medical unit in a deployed environment helped me understand medical records, jargon and treatment that have helped as an injury lawyer.
How do you think your military service impacted your legal career? Had I been saddled with educational debt, I likely would have needed to wait much longer to leave an insurance defense practice to start my own firm helping injured workers.
A four-year ROTC scholarship and the GI Bill prevented such.
What are some lessons you apply to your practice today? Being able to make decisions quickly and listen empathetically are daily skills I began honing while directing the aeromedical evacuation of hundreds of wounded warriors from Iraq to upper echelons of care in 2003 and again in 2007. After doing such under mortar fire, it’s pretty easy to do such in a law office.
What inspired your military service? My paternal grandfather served in Korea; my father in Vietnam. I chose to follow both of them and to, hopefully, “do good and do well” both with the armed forces and in my law practice.
Law Firm: CM Law, PLLC in Atlanta, GA
Military Branch: U.S. Army Rangers
Rank: SGT/E5
MOS: 11B
Station: Hunter Army Airfield, GA
Years Served: 12
Tell us about your transition from the military to the practice of law. Even in elementary school, I always wanted to be an Army Ranger AND a lawyer. I know they seem like wildly divergent career paths. I did not come from a military family, and no one was in the legal profession. In fact, before my generation, there was no one who pursued a similar professional career path in the armed services or the law. So, it is interesting to note that of myself, a brother, and three same-aged male cousins, four out of five of us served.
Following active duty, I was able to use the GI Bill, loans and a part-time job to fund my college education and begin that journey to a legal degree. I applied to and was accepted to Georgia Southern University, and later to the Walter F. George School of Law at Mercer University. During college, I continued my service in the Georgia Army National Guard, serving as a Long-Range Surveillance (LRS) Team Leader.
How do you think your military service impacted your legal career? What are some lessons you apply to your practice today? I credit my military training for ensuring I had the discipline and ability to juggle so many responsibilities while staying laser-focused on my long-term professional goals while serving in the National Guard and completing my undergraduate, graduate and law degrees.
How do you think your military service impacted your legal career? What are some lessons you apply to your practice today? As an Army Ranger in the military, I served as a Non-Commissioned Officer, as a fire team leader, and as a Long-Range Surveillance Team Leader. The military is where I learned critical time management skills and how to plan for complex combat missions. This experience taught me the value of pace planning (primary, alternate, contingency, and emergency) and the importance of attending to every detail because, truly, in every aspect of life, the law, litigation, and the military, the devil is always in the details…
These strategies and tools learned in the military continue to serve me and my clients well. So now, when I am preparing for complex and lengthy trials, I utilize these same skill sets to lead my trial team from discovery through trial. By developing a mission strategy that is task-oriented early on, with clearly established and achievable deadlines, I can hold my team and myself accountable.
What inspired your military service and what drew you to the practice of law?
From age 10, I knew I wanted to be an Army Ranger and a lawyer – again, seemingly career-divergent paths. Although my grandparents served in World War II, I would not say that I came from a military family or had a legacy of military service. However, I have always had a deep-rooted sense of service to my country, and both my parents were teachers who instilled in me the value of educational achievement. My time on active duty and in the National Guard and my work as an attorney gave me the opportunity to achieve both – to secure an education and continue a life of service to the community and my clients.
I see my service in the 75th Ranger Regiment and my work as a lead trial attorney as very similar. Both require an ability to see the bigger picture and to identify strategies to disarm opponents or mediate resolutions while securing the best possible outcome for my teams and my clients. I also learned to aim high and view my work in both professions as pinnacles of achievement.
Law Firm: Poyner Spruill LLP in Raleigh, NC
Military Branch: Army
Rank: Captain
MOS: 37A (Psychological Operations Officer)
Station: Fort Bragg—now Fort Liberty—NC
Years Served: 8
Law Firm: Kwun Bhansali Lazarus, LLP in San Francisco, CA
Military Branch: U.S. Navy
Rank: Petty Officer 2nd Class (E-5)
MOS: Aerographer’s Mate (AG)
Station: USS Independence (CV-62) & USS Kitty Hawk (CV-63), Yokosuka, Japan
Years Served: 1996-2000
Tell us about your transition from the military to the practice of law? I had a 14-year gap between leaving the military and starting law school, so my transition took a while. I’d dropped out of undergrad after my freshman year and enlisted in the Navy, serving four years aboard two aircraft carriers homeported in Yokosuka, Japan. After leaving the military, I moved to Washington, D.C., where I played music, bartended, worked construction, and started a home renovation firm before going back to school and earning my undergraduate degree. After undergrad, I became an accredited veterans advocate and appeals representative for a veterans service organization, representing disabled veterans before the Board of Veterans’ Appeals (BVA) in D.C. That job led me to law school.
How do you think your military service impacted your legal career? My military service has definitely benefited my legal career. Coming out of law school, my service in the Navy and experience at the BVA were usually the first things that interviewers asked me about. I think that unique work experience helped differentiate me from other candidates with similar academic backgrounds.
What are some lessons you apply to your practice today? Long hours and challenging working conditions are the norm in the military, and success requires discipline, a strong work ethic, and a positive mind set to adapt and power through. Those same qualities have been useful in my legal career.
What inspired your military service and what drew you to the practice of law? Military service was common in my family, so enlisting seemed like a natural move after I realized that I wasn’t ready for undergrad. I was drawn to the practice of law during my time as a veterans advocate at the BVA. Advocating on behalf of my clients for a righteous cause was incredibly fulfilling and inspiring, and I felt like I’d finally found my calling.
Law Firm: Kutak Rock LLP in Omaha, NE
Military Branch: U.S Air Force Active Duty and Nebraska Air National Guard
Rank: Colonel
MOS: 51J4 – Judge Advocate
Station: Various, last active-duty station Offutt AFB, NE
Years Served: 13 Active; 7 Air National Guard – Currently Serving
What inspired your military service OR what drew you to the practice of law? My family escaped from Romania during the communist regime in 1978 and were blessed to immigrate to the United States when I was 2 years old. As a result, my parents instilled in me a love of country and belief that we should never take the blessing of freedom for granted, which led me to an ROTC commission from Arizona State University and a law degree so I could serve as a Judge Advocate. My service in the Air Force JAG allowed me to serve my country and protect the Constitution in the courtroom and in the field.
Law Firm: Walkup Melodia Kelly + Schoenberger in San Francisco, CA
Military Branch: U.S. Army
Rank: Captain
MOS: 55A (judge advocate general corps)
Station: 82nd Airborne, Ft Bragg, NC
Years Served: 1995-1998
Law Firm: Farah & Farah in Ocala, FL
Military Branch: US Marine Corps
Rank: USMC-1371 Combat Engineer
MOS: E4 Corporal
Station: Marine Corps Base Kaneohe Bay Hawaii and overseas in Desert Shield/Storm
Years Served: 4
What drew you to the practice of law? I am not just an injury attorney, but also and injured person. After being injured during my service in the Marine Corps I was going through a Medical Board Hearing process. I was assigned a JAG/Military Attorney to represent my interests. In the final hearing I witnessed a zealous representation by the attorney which resulted in a successful result. I knew at that time that I wanted to help people.
Law Firm: Honigman LLP in Detroit, MI
Military Branch: U.S. Marine Corps (Reserves)
Rank: Corporal
MOS: 1141 – Electrician
Station: Selfridge Air Force Base
Years Served: 1997-2005
How do you think your military service impacted your legal career? What are some lessons you apply to your practice today? The Marine Corps taught me the importance of discipline and the value of thick skin. Regarding discipline, Marines get things done. I quickly learned the value of setting yourself to a task and not backing down from it. As a drill instructor used to say, “ain’t nothing to do but do it!” I recall that mantra when tackling a difficult legal problem. Regarding thick skin, the Marines certainly teach you to deal with stressful situations and people, and you are pushed past your limits. With knowledge of your capabilities, you can deal with any challenging situation that arises in the practice of law.
What inspired your military service? I joined the Marines to prove myself to myself. It was an invaluable experience.
Law Firm: Davis Malm & D’Agostine, P.C. in Boston, MA
Military Branch: U.S. Marine Corps
Rank: LtCol (Selected for promotion to Colonel – expected June 2025)
MOS: 4402 / Judge Advocate
Station: Current Duty Command – Marine Forces Command, Norfolk VA
Years Served: 2005-2009 (Active); 2009-Present (Reserve)
Tell us about your transition from the military to the practice of law. It was much easier for me because I was already a lawyer. We have a lot of trials in the military, so I was more experienced in the courtroom than many of my peers in the civilian world. But, the hardest part of the transition was learning the multiple areas of law in which I would begin practicing. For a few years, I felt like I was back in law school – every case felt like it was in a new area – and I had to learn or relearn a lot.
How do you think your military service impacted your legal career? Perhaps most importantly, it gave me confidence to know that I could handle things and forced me to know how to prepare myself to face different challenges. I have been fortunate to have had extraordinary opportunities in the service. Whether it was on deployment, participating in exercises, briefing and teaching high-level commanders, or, perhaps the hardest audience, briefing and teaching young Marines, I have been placed in multiple challenging arenas. The only way to survive was to make sure I was prepared, competent and ready to perform. Those skills transition to what I do now.
What are some lessons you apply to your practice today? Do not underestimate anyone because of their background. Anyone can be outfoxed. Treat everyone with respect. How you treat people reflects on you, your firm and your reputation. Your reputation in how you carry yourself and treat others will pay dividends in the long run and will set a good example for younger lawyers.
What inspired your military service? My father and stories about prior generations who served. My father served in the Marines in the 1960s.
Law Firm: Berry Law in Omaha, NE
Military Branch: United States Army and Nebraska National Guard
Rank: LTC
MOS: 11A Infantry Officer and 90A Logistics Officer
Deployments: Iraq and Bosnia
Years Served: 1997-2017
Law Firm: Kutak Rock LLP in Omaha, NE
Military Branch: Air Force
Rank: Colonel
MOS: JAG
Stations: Wyoming, Georgia, England, Pentagon (2x), North Carolina, Nebraska, Hawaii, and Middle East (6x)
Years Served: 14 Active, 4 Reserve
Tell us about your transition from the military to the practice of law. I practiced law in the military but discovered that drone strikes and public finance don’t have much in common (Who knew?). It was an exciting challenge to learn a new area of the law.
How do you think your military service impacted your legal career? Military service prepares lawyers and paralegals to succeed in stressful situations, maintain a focus on the mission, and work together as a team.
What inspired your military service and what drew you to the practice of law? I was working full time and going to law school at night with only a general notion of making money – a desire for more fulfilling and meaningful work brought me to the military and began my desire to practice law in a way that serves my community.
Law Firm: Stinson LLP in Dallas, TX
Military Branch: Army
Rank: Staff Sergeant
MOS: 71L and 25B
Station: Ft. Sill
Years Served: 12 (including reserve duty)
Tell us about your transition from the military to the practice of law. I transitioned into the Reserves and law school, so it was pretty straightforward for me. I went to work for a federal judge and have been a corporate securities lawyer in private practice now for 23 years. I’m still very involved and help to mentor service members who are coming off active duty, as well as generally making people aware that I am here to help veterans looking to enter the legal profession or a profession in business. Being a corporate lawyer helps me do that.
How do you think your military service impacted your legal career? I enlisted in the Army at 17. It had a huge and positive impact on my life. I pushed my mind and body past where I thought it could go. I also learned to manage huge amounts of pressure and stress in a positive and constructive way. These skills have helped me immensely as a lawyer. Clients often call me with urgent, complex needs, and the skills that I learned in the Army help me to get the job done, to add value, and to reduce their stress.
What are some lessons you apply to your practice today? First, I keep my word. Second, I assemble a highly qualified team to get the job done. Then, I make sure that I understand the mission and execute on the task at hand. Not too different from what I did in the Army!
What inspired your military service? My father, a B-24 Bomber pilot, and his five brothers all served in WWII. Miraculously, they all came back despite some very close calls! Iraq invaded Kuwait when I was a junior in high school. I went to the Army recruiting station the next day and enlisted in the Reserves, where I did weekend drills my senior year. I went to Basic Combat Training 10 days after graduation. The Army was a tough but great experience for me. I am very honored to have served.
Law Firm: Greenspoon Marder LLP in Orlando, FL
Military Branch: Navy
Rank: E-5 (enlisted) and then O-3 (officer)
MOS: Torpedoman (enlisted) and then JAG (officer)
Years Served: Four Years Enlisted Active, Four Years Officer Active
Tell us about your transition from the military to the practice of law. With the benefit of time and knowledge, it seemed smooth. However, it took me a little time to fit in and feel part of a team. The military gave me a sense of purpose and gave me great mentors early on. When I went back as an officer, I completed the circle. I have great memories of being in the military as both enlisted and an officer. I still miss many of the wonderful things that the military provides such as the ability to constantly meet new people and relocating every couple of years. Now, I found my tribe within the Greenspoon Marder family.
How do you think your military service impacted your legal career? It taught me the importance of teamwork. Understanding that everyone is a crucial part of the team and to care for the greater good. The military is a very diverse environment, and you must adapt quickly to many unknown situations. It also teaches you that communication is critical for the success of the operation. This gave me an edge in my legal career as it taught me to think outside of the box and adjust to changing circumstances.
What are some lessons you apply to your practice today that were learned from your time in the military? The Navy core values are honor, courage and commitment. I still use these guiding principles today as my north star, so to speak. I learned that treating people with respect is important. And that part of your advocacy requires you to be honest with your client and to walk away when someone asks you to compromise your principles and reputation.
What inspired your military service and what drew you to the practice of law? These reasons are accidentally intertwined. I was attending my first year of college when my parents were in the process of divorcing. I was 17 years old and did not have a way to pay for the rest of my college years. My mom hired a lawyer who failed her in every conceivable way possible. She ended almost destitute after 18 years of marriage caring for four children under the age of 18 and starting over, as many women must do. At that moment, I vowed to break the cycle that had doomed our family for generations. My sisters (and one brother) were the first ones to attend and graduate from college. I went to law school so we could have access and the ability to take control of our destiny. My joining the Navy was accidental. One day, I needed a ride home and ended up at a recruiting station, and the rest as they say is history.
Law Firm: Haynes and Boone LLP in Dallas, TX
Military Branch: Air Force
Rank: SSgt (E-5)
MOS: 1N0 Operations Intelligence
Station: Lackland AFB, San Antonio, TX
Years Served: 2014-2020
Tell us about your transition from the military to the practice of law. I served in the Air Force Reserve before law school, during law school, and for the first half of a two-year clerkship with Judge Lee Yeakel in Austin (himself a Marine Corps veteran). During my first year of law school, I co-founded the Texas Law Veterans Association with my friend Miguel Ortiz who had been a paralegal in the Air Force.
How do you think your military service impacted your legal career? Military service was a big part of my journey to the law. I started studying for the LSAT when I was in my intelligence school training programs at Goodfellow AFB (and even transferred one of my PowerScore classes to Rutgers when I was at McGuire AFB for a training). I learned some wellness lessons that I still apply to my legal practice. Beyond that, I think there is a lot to be said about teamwork, chain-of-command, and mission mindset which hold just as true in a large law firm.
What inspired your military service and drew you to the practice of law? Growing up in Sherman, Texas, my grandfather MSgt Samuel Allenbaugh was a paragon of selfless service and my personal hero. When I wanted to join the Air Force out of high school to be like him, he was the only one who could talk me out of it. My grandfather didn’t go to college until after enlisting into the Army Air Corps in 1945 and retiring in the Air Force 26 years later. “Go to college first. The Air Force will still be around if you want to join.” After college, my wife and I moved to San Antonio for Teach For America. I will never forget what we were told by Laura Saldivar Luna, our Regional Executive Director. “This is not a two-year commitment.” I loved that. Like my grandfather, she understood the call to lifelong service. After my TFA commitment, I enlisted in the Air Force Reserve as an intelligence analyst. Shortly after, with the invaluable help of Theodore Rostow, a friend from TFA attending Yale Law School, I applied to attend, and was accepted at, The University of Texas School of Law.
Law Firm: Snell & Wilmer LLP in San Diego, CA
Military Branch: US Marine Corps
Rank: Lieutenant Colonel
MOS: 7565 AH-1W Super Cobra Pilot / 4402 Judge Advocate
Station: US Naval Academy Annapolis, MD; Quantico, VA; Pensacola, FL; Camp Pendleton, CA; MCAS Miramar, CA; Al Anbar Province, Iraq
Years Served: 1997-2001 US Naval Academy / 2001-2016 Active Duty USMC /2016-Present USMC Reserve
Tell us about your transition from the military to the practice of law. After three combat tours in Iraq as an attack helicopter pilot and a tour as an instructor pilot, I applied for a law transition program. The Marine Corps allowed me to go to law school in exchange for doing a three-year tour as an active duty Judge Advocate. Following three years at MCAS Miramar working as a military prosecutor, Special Assistant U.S. Attorney, and legal assistance attorney, I transitioned to private practice and continued to serve in the Marine Corps Reserve.
How do you think your military service impacted your legal career? My service as a pilot and judge advocate provided the opportunity to develop many important skills – leadership, discipline, time management, public speaking and teaching, the ability to perform under pressure, writing, counseling, analysis of complex problems, risk management, and trial advocacy – pretty much everything except for business development!
What are some lessons you apply to your practice today that were learned from your time in the military? The most important ones are probably the importance of teamwork and perseverance in the face of adversity.
What drew you to the practice of law? While I enjoyed flying, I felt like I had accomplished everything that I had set out to and that it was a good time to pursue my second career. I felt like being a lawyer was the best use of my experience and skill set, so even though there was a three-year opportunity cost (as opposed to getting an Executive MBA and while continuing to serve as a pilot), I focused on where I hoped to be in 10-15 years – and that was working as a trial lawyer.
Law Firm: Kutak Rock, LLP in Minneapolis, MN
Military Branch: Army
Rank: E05 – SGT
MOS: 13F30 – Joint Fire Support Specialist
Station: 1st Battalion, 151st Field Artillery (E-TAB), Minnesota Army National Guard
Years Served: 8 (2001-2009)
Tell us about your transition from the military to the practice of law. It was a long transition. After returning from service overseas, I worked in an unrelated industry for over a decade. I never forgot about my desire to practice law, and I can thank the Army for instilling the confidence to chase your goals and never give up. When an opportunity presented itself, I chose to head back to law school in my late 30s and chase this dream. Despite some challenges, I am grateful I am where I am today.
How do you think your military service impacted your legal career? What are some lessons you apply to your practice today? The U.S. Army’s core values – loyalty, duty, respect, selfless service, honor, integrity, and personal courage – profoundly shaped who I have become as a person and a professional. I rely on these values in making ethical decisions, working effectively in teams, self-motivating, and staying disciplined. The Army has a popular phrase I’ll never forget: “Adapt and overcome.” This might mean learning a new subject or a new technology; or looking at a problem from an entirely different perspective than my own. Essentially, no matter the challenge or the task in front of me, and how uncomfortable it might make me, I find the will and a way to get the job done.
What inspired your military service and what drew you to the practice of law? I have a family history of military service including two brothers and a sister who all served in the Army. I looked up to them and respected them for their service. While I wanted to go to college and have a career outside the military, the opportunity to join the National Guard and serve while I continued my education was the perfect opportunity. I started to become interested in a legal career while learning about the Constitution and our republican form of government in high school. While I’m not exactly practicing constitutional law these days, the practice of law in general makes me feel connected to the legislative process and is very fulfilling.
Law Firm: Venable LLP in New York City, NY
Military Branch: U.S. Marine Corps
Rank: Colonel
MOS: 0302 [Infantry]
Station: US and Overseas
Years Served: 1988-2010
Tell us about your transition from the military to the practice of law. As I transitioned off Marine Corps active duty I had the benefit of serving as a Marine Reservist during law school and for a fair amount of my law career from 1996-2010. It was fairly seamless transition, with the main adjustment being that the military hierarchy of seniors-peers-subordinates were not along such formalized lines in the civilian world. But notions like initiative and accountability were equally paramount in both worlds. Also, and importantly, my employers during those years as a practicing attorney and Marine Corps Infantry Officer (Bronx County District Attorney’s office and Fitzpatrick Cella Harper & Scinto) were overwhelmingly supportive of me and my family, during my peacetime service and when I was twice activated for combat tours in Iraq in 2003 and 2007-08. I will be forever grateful for that support.
How do you think your military service impacted your legal career? The military is a meritocracy where everyone contributes to mission accomplishment. On my patent litigation teams, we recognize this ethos, and involve all team members, regardless of their year or task, as they are vital contributors to Venable providing our clients with the most ethical and zealous advocacy we can.
What are some lessons you apply to your practice today? Certainly, time management and multitasking are key during the dynamic and often unpredictable course of complex patent litigation. Also, and related to the above, the importance of team building and member involvement cannot be over emphasized in practice: team members need to own their responsibilities and be held accountable to the team for them.
What inspired your military service and what drew you to the practice of law? Really simple: I felt obligated to serve my country, and I knew that in doing so, I would be challenged physically, mentally and morally as never before; I knew I needed to step up to this vocation. After serving with the Marines in the Gulf War in 1991 and then as an instructor of new Marine officers, I felt another calling to practice law, and embarked on that new chapter, whose book is still a work in progress.
Law Firm: Farah & Farah in Jacksonville, FL
Military Branch: US Navy
Rank: E-6
MOS: ET1 (submarines)
Station: Kings Bay Naval Submarine Base
Years Served: 9
How do you think your military service impacted your legal career? Military training taught me to pay attention to detail. In the legal field, that is a very important characteristic.
What are some lessons you apply to your practice today? In the military, you don’t get to choose who you work with and interact with people from all walks of life. As a result, you learn to find value and strengths in every person.
Law Firm: Kutak Rock LLP in Colorado Springs, CO
Military Branch: Army
Rank: Colonel
MOS: Field Artillery, Military Intelligence and JAG Corps
Station: Forts Benning, Sill and Huachuca, Korea (2nd Infantry Division) and Various Army Reserve Units
Years Served: 1977-1982 (Active Duty), 1982-2001 (Army Reserves)
What inspired your military service? A desire to serve the country motivated me to join the military. Like many others of my generation and age, the service of my father in the Army during the Korean War, my uncle in the Navy during WWII and all the others who served during those wars inspired me to serve in the military. They were role models whose service and sacrifice made it seem natural and a given that one should follow in their footsteps.
Law Firm: DBS Law in Seattle, WA
Military Branch: Army
Rank: Colonel
MOS: 11A (Infantry)
Station: Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Iraq (2x), various locations with Army National Guard & Army Reserve, currently Ft. Douglas, UT
Years Served: 22 and counting
Tell us about your transition from the military to the practice of law. I left active duty in 2006 to attend law school primarily for family reasons. Afterwards, I continued to serve as an Army National Guard and Army Reserve officer.
How do you think your military service impacted your legal career? I apply the skills and training I received in the Army to my practice of law each and every day.
What are some lessons you apply to your practice today? Strategic thinking, team building, understanding the adversary, and always focusing on the desired end-state.
What inspired your military service? I come from a family legacy of military service, now being carried forward by my son, PFC Tyler Bugbee. Our Nation depends on military volunteers and those willing to selflessly serve, both on active duty and as citizen soldiers in the national guard and reserve force. I am proud to have done so myself.
Law Firm: Haynes and Boone LLP in Dallas, TX
Military Branch: U.S. Marine Corps
Rank: O-3 (Captain)
MOS: 5803 (Military Police Officer)
Station: Camp Pendleton
Years Served: 2015-2019
Tell us about your transition from the military to the practice of law. I served as a Platoon Commander in a Military Police Battalion. The natural transition into civilian life was either within operations for a private company or in civilian law enforcement. One offered the chance to break free of bureaucracy while the other offered the chance to fulfill my strong sense of justice.
After deployment, I applied to several federal law enforcement agencies and accepted the reality that I might remain in public service. While conducting due diligence on the day-to-day of a federal agent, it became apparent to me that the practice of law was more suitable to my skillset and life goals. So, I went to law school. And I went to law school still believing I was destined for public service. However, during law school I discovered my current practice area: government investigations and securities litigation.
This practice builds off my prior law enforcement experience, allows me to work in private practice, and offers me a chance to achieve justice. As one can see, my transition did not occur over night, but today I feel very blessed to practice law as a litigator and in government/internal investigations.
How do you think your military service impacted your legal career? What are some lessons you apply to your practice today? Military service gave me a foundation in investigations and provided me the space to grow as a leader and a teammate.
My current role as a litigator conducting government and internal investigations builds on my prior investigation experience. I led investigations as the Law Enforcement Officer-in-Charge and conducting them within my practice has come naturally.
As a leader and a teammate, I am more confident and decisive in my legal career. In the service I was constantly put into roles with responsibilities that required me to brief commanders on various courses of action. This placed me into a constant state of evaluating potential obstacles and strategizing avenues to victory. Marine Corps officers call this “war-gaming,” and I find myself constantly “war-gaming” as a litigator.
One lesson from my time in service is that the best teams openly address their own flaws while adapting to them to achieve their objectives. In other words, the best teams aren’t perfect – they seize the initiative and keep the objective in mind. As an attorney, every client arrives with good facts and bad facts. We must accept the bad facts – adapt to them – and focus on the main objective. It is easy for a litigation team to get bogged down in discovery disputes or procedural motions (and sometimes those are necessary). But I naturally consider our options with one question in mind: does this help us achieve victory? If the answer is no, I recommend moving on.
What inspired your military service and what drew you to the practice of law? My strong sense of justice drove both. I am a convicted leader and serving in the military was a natural fit. The practice of law allows me to continue following that conviction.
Law Firm: Greenspoon Marder LLP in NY & Houston
Military Branch: Air Force
Rank: Senior Airman
MOS: Supply Management Specialist
Station: Barksdale AFB, Louisiana
Years Served: 1996-2000
Tell us about your transition from the military to the practice of law. I come from a blue collar and agricultural family, growing up on 24 acres near the small south central Texas town of Cuero. Although I have no lawyers in the family (very few degreed family members at that time), I decided during my senior year of high school that I wanted to go to law school. Unfortunately, my parents did not have money to send me to college, so, following in my father’s footsteps, I joined the Air Force to, among other reasons, receive a GI Bill to pay for my education. I worked on my undergraduate degree while in the military and then worked full-time as an administrative assistant during the day and a full-time student in the evenings after my enlistment ended in 2000. It took me four years to finish my undergraduate degree, graduating in December 2005. I started law school in August 2007.
How do you think your military service impacted your legal career? Basic training, participating in war games annually, and a deployment during Operation Allied Force (1999) all taught me tons of discipline and teamwork, both skills that are crucial to survive law school and work as a litigator.
What are some lessons you apply to your practice today that were learned from your time in the military? Discipline and teamwork, respecting authority, obeying orders, and seeking and applying structure to your legal practice.
What drew you to the practice of law? This answer may draw some chuckles, but I was a very green small town Texas girl with very little exposure to “city” life. However, one thing I knew for as long as I can remember is that I wanted to move to “the city.” Then, in my senior year government class, we studied the legal profession and ultimately participated in a mock trial. I was hooked. I look back on that memory and laugh at myself because I had no idea what I was getting myself into. It took me 15 years from when I graduated high school to complete my education, but I did it. On a side note, I have had my fair share of “city” life, having lived in Houston, New York City (twice!), and the Philadelphia suburbs. These days, I live in Houston but love spending as much time as possible in and around my small Texas hometown—such as the circle of life.
Law Firm: Gallagher & Kennedy in Phoenix, Arizona
Military Branch: Army Reserve
Rank: Captain
MOS: 27A
Station: Stationed out of Texas as a reservist and mobilized to Korea, while also serving in Germany and Alaska.
Years Served: 2008-2018
What inspired your military service and what drew you to the practice of law? My father and brother were in the Army, so you could say it’s a family tradition. In fact, I was born on post in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas—home to perhaps the most well-known military prison. We moved every four years or so, eventually ending up in Yuma, Arizona, during my high school years (where our mascot was a Criminal). I stayed in Arizona to attend UofA for my undergraduate studies, then attended ASU for law school. Following law school, I began working as a prosecutor and soon applied to the US Army JAG Corp where I would end up joining Trial Defense Services, providing criminal defense services to service members. In retrospect, you can certainly see a theme there.
Tell us about your transition from the military to the practice of law. My experience was reversed since I attended law school and was practicing as a civilian Prosecutor before joining the United States Army Reserve as a JAG. While similar in some regards, the two criminal systems had some marked differences as well. Having already completed a handful of jury trials before commissioning, I was able to bring a fair amount of courtroom experience with me.
How do you think your military service impacted your legal career? What are some lessons you apply to your practice today? While a member of the Judge Advocate General’s Corp, I represented service members accused of misconduct and advocated for them during Courts Martial, Administrative Separation, and Article 15 actions. At the same time, I worked as a prosecutor with the City of Phoenix and later for the Yavapai County Attorney’s Office. Working as both a prosecutor and a defense attorney at the same time gives you an edge when it comes to strategy, as you always have a better idea of what the other side is thinking. It is a unique perspective I still draw on today, and helps allow me to see second and third order effects of potential strategy decisions. My time in the JAG Corps also showed me how rewarding criminal defense can be, so moving into private practice as a criminal defense attorney at Gallagher & Kennedy was a natural fit.
Law Firm: Patino Law Firm in McAllen, TX
Military Branch: U.S. Army
Rank: E-4 (P)
MOS: 91 Alpha – Combat Medic
Station: Ft. Drum, New York, 10th Mountain Division, HHC 2/87.
Years Served: 1990-1993
