The Military Spouse JD Network is a volunteer-run organization dedicated to supporting military families in the legal profession. An active Board of Directors oversees all of MSJDN’s programs and engagements that are then put into action by our committee...
Yesterday, the Military Spouse JD Network (MSJDN) joined with attorney Patricia Elrod Hill, the Georgia Association of Women Lawyers, and the National Association of Women Lawyers to file an amici brief in support of a military spouse attorney and...
Interested in exercising your leadership skills and making a difference for military families? Have you always wanted to work for a non-profit? Consider serving on MSJDN’s Board of Directors and help shape the future of our organization. Nominations for...
Back in 2012, when my Army family moved to Fort Campbell, KY, I tried to volunteer at the post legal office — I was interested in using my legal skills to serve my military community. I had also just...
Cheryl Mason, known to her colleagues as Cheri, is an experienced attorney and leader, the spouse of an Air Force veteran, the daughter of a World War II Navy veteran, and as of September 5, 2017, nominee for Chair...
Bliss Lawyers, a national secondment firm that hires top attorneys to work on high-level temporary engagements for its in-house legal department and law firm clients, is the newest firm to partner with the Military Spouse JD Network through its...
Sacrifice is a word that we use a lot in the military community. Sometimes, I worry that when we use a word so much, it loses its meaning or we forget the power they have. “Thank you for your...
I have a four-year-old boy living in my house, so superheroes loom large in my life. We own multiple Captain America action dolls. We have a basketball team of Iron Mans. My son has broken more than one of his...
Do you remember why you went to law school? I’ve been trying to remember that far back — back before four PCSs and the constant military spouse job hustle. Back before two kids, car payments, and student loan payments....
I have a confession. An addiction, even. And it’s time to come clean. I love animated GIFs. I know. You’re shocked. I have it so together, how could I buckle to such a vile internet addiction? Well, it’s simple....
MSJDN Receives Newman’s Own Award at Pentagon Ceremony When I set out to become president of the Military Spouse JD Network, I did it because I wanted 2012 Josie to know being a military spouse and lawyer are not incompatible...
Stronger by Working Together — Building Connection Between Each Other and Organizations I don’t know about you, but military life has brought me many, many learning opportunities, some more poignant than others. The first I learned was never go...
Editor’s Note: MSJDN asked its members to help us spotlight employers going above and beyond for military spouse attorneys. Each employer in this series was nominated for the 2016 MSJDN Members’ Choice Award by members who told us in their...
This morning twelve members of the Military Spouse JD Network were admitted to the bar of the Supreme Court of the United States. These military spouse attorneys were honored to be presented to the Court by one of our...
This month, MSJDN’s pro bono program, Justice for Military Families, completed a project that serves Gold Star parents. Our Grandparents Visitation Guide provides a roadmap for Gold Star parents who worry that their relationship with their grandchildren is suffering...
The State Licensing Team is looking for military spouse attorneys and MSJDN members located in or with strong connections to Arkansas, Connecticut, Michigan, and Mississippi to lead state licensing efforts in those states. These are states where we already have...
Military spouses who accompany their servicemembers to Tennessee or Fort Campbell, Kentucky, can acquire a temporary license to practice law in Tennessee under a new provision ordered this week by that state’s Supreme Court. The new rule, which goes into...
Are you looking to make a difference in your community? Are you a military spouse attorney or member of the Military Spouse JD Network? The MSJDN State Licensing Committee needs you! Our State Licensing team is looking for volunteers looking...
Any MSJDN member who has been involved efforts to secure a licensing accommodation for military spouse attorneys can tell you, our success usually is dependent on four things: hard work, good connections, timing, and a fair bit of luck....
Lawyers sometimes get a bad rap. But for most lawyers, and especially military spouse lawyers, service to community is an important part of their personal and professional lives. Pro bono legal service is the hallmark of the legal profession....
Every October, the American Bar Association creates an annual national spotlight on pro bono through their Celebrate Pro Bono campaign. Justice for Military Families is part of the national pro bono community; we provide pro bono legal services to the...
As part of its annual Stars of the Bar recognition, the Women’s Bar Association of the District of Columbia (WBA) has named Mary Reding Smith, Immediate Past President of the Military Spouse JD Network, a 2014 Star of the...
Are you an attorney licensed in Tennessee, Virginia, New Hampshire, Texas, Delaware, or Massachusetts? We need your help! As part of Justice for Military Families, a pro bono project from the Military Spouse JD Foundation, we’ve partnered with military...
Today, the New Jersey Supreme Court announced the adoption of Rule 1:27-4, “Temporary Admission of a Military Spouse During Military Assignment in New Jersey.” With this rule, New Jersey becomes the tenth state to show their support for military...
As we reported last week, two MSJDN members are presenting MSJDN’s licensing accommodation proposal to the New Jersey Supreme Court today. We share the remarks of our New Jersey State Directors Jennifer Talley and Katie McDonough on the blog today as...
Our New Jersey team, powerhouses Jennifer Talley and Katie McDonough, will present MSJDN’s petition for rule change to the full New Jersey Supreme Court on May 27. The pair was invited to give comment after their response to the...
On Wednesday, May 7, MSJDN members from the DC region and across the country gathered to celebrate another year of accomplishments for the organization. Held at the gorgeous Citi Rooftop Terrace, the event featured the launch of Justice for...
Military spouse attorneys support each other and the military community through Justice for Military Families, a program that will provide free legal services to military families FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – May 5, 2014 WASHINGTON- The Military Spouse JD Network,...
Recently, MSJDN members and rule change leaders Jennifer Talley and Katie McDonough have been working overtime to rally support for a military spouse bar accommodation policy in New Jersey. Most notably, two articles featured the work of the New Jersey...
“It feels like he’s gone more now that he’s in the Reserves,” says Amy Apostol, laughing. Amy’s husband is a Navy Reserve JAG officer, and MSJDN members know well the contradiction — your spouse leaves Active Duty only to...
Will Host Texas Supreme Court for Brunch in Austin This Weekend Today, Military Spouse Magazine announced MSJDN member Reda Hicks as 2014 Armed Forces Insurance Army Spouse of the Year. The honor comes as no surprise to those of...
After spending the last year-or-so working with members of the Military Spouse JD Network to fight for our military lifestyle, I’ve learned a couple things: (1) military spouses know how to get stuff done; and (2) we are all that...
Donates $250,000 to continue a legacy and serve Ohio’s veterans legal needs It’s near the end of your 1L year and you’re settling in for a long night of homework. You’re a military newlywed, meaning you married then promptly...
This week, North Carolina MSJDN member Jennifer McBee became the first sworn in and licensed under the military spouse attorney licensing rule in that state. This is her story. by Jennifer McBee The Military Spouse J.D. Network is changing...
Since 2011, MSJDN has experienced unprecedented growth and success. In our first year, we went from only two members to more than 400; in our second year, that number doubled again, bringing us to over 800 members. Our licensing...
MSJDN is excited to introduce the following leadership opportunities within the organization. Applications will be accepted until November 30, 2013. Please send your applications, or any questions, to Rachel.Winkler@msjdn.org. Programs Director: MSJDN is seeking a Programs Director to chair our Programs Committee...
Military Spouse JD Network has been named as a finalist for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s 3rd Annual Hiring Our Heroes awards. The 18 nominated individuals and companies include corporate heavyweights Bank of America, Toyota, USAA, General Electric,...
Last Thursday, the Senate blocked the nomination of military spouse Patricia Millett for the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeal. Her nomination needed 60 votes to overcome a Republican filibuster and advance in the Senate, and the 55-38 vote, with...
At MSJDN, we live to bust the, “I thought I was the only one!” myth, a misconception held by many of our members before we discovered more than 800 of our colleagues. The support we’ve offered each other through...
Last week, the Military Spouse JD Foundation was awarded a grant from Newman’s Own Foundation, founded by the late actor and philanthropist, Paul Newman. The award is part of “Honoring Those Who Serve,” Newman’s Own Foundation’s initiative to support...
MSJDN was part of a select group of military and legal leaders at the announcement of a new joint effort between the ABA, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and the Legal Services Corp. to address legal needs of the...
This year’s Supreme Court term wrapped up in exciting fashion, delivering breaking news decisions on voting rights and same-sex marriage. But the more newsworthy event for those in the know is the upcoming retirement of Gen. William K. Suter...
Yesterday, we launched our campaign to defeat California Assembly Bill 296, a bill that claims to help military spouse attorneys but Actually creates a harmful precedent for the largest military-populated state. You yelled, you screamed, you shared with your...
Summers bring change for military families, and MSJDN families are no different. Our private member groups have been buzzing with the typical summer PCS season drama — well, the MSJDN version. On top of moving houses, states, and even...
MSJDN is very pleased to congratulate member Erin Hennessy, recipient of the 2013 Professional Excellence Award, to be awarded at the Making the Right Moves Awards Luncheon in Washington, D.C., on May 22. The Professional Excellence Award recognizes a...
North Carolina Supreme Court Approves Military Spouse Licensing Law North Carolina continues their legacy as one of the most military-friendly states in the country by becoming the fourth state to pass a rule modifying the requirements of comity licensure for...
When ABA President Laurel Bellows speaks about work-life balance, she does so from experience. She has practiced law for over 30 years, has four children and four grandchildren and has been a leader in her local and national bars....
Bouncing back. Rolling with the punches. Rebounding after an unforeseen or negative event. Grow from our misfortune, not let our misfortune pull us down. Resilience is a term those of us in the military world are familiar with. A military...
“So are you ever going to use your law degree?” I am asked this every day, multiple times. What people do not realize is that while I’m not in a structured law firm (as I sit here in yoga...
On May 22, 2013, the Military Spouse JD Network (MSJDN) will host Making the Right Moves: Celebration and Education for Military Spouse Attorneys. The event, organized by MSJDN and sponsored by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, will feature activities...
On March 15, 2013, MSJDN Vice President Rachel Winkler hosted a table to connect with military spouse attorneys attending the most recent Hiring our Heroes event in Washington, D.C. The U.S. Chamber’s Hiring Our Heroes (HOH) program is helping veterans and military spouses by...
The Department of Labor issued new rules that increase the protections of the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) for certain military families, effective March 8, 2013. FMLA requires covered employers to provide up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected...
In addition to serving their country alongside their servicemember, attorney milspouses are also leaders and advocates for our military way of life. Five of the 12 members of MOAA’s Spouse Advisory Council are MSJDN members and attorney-spouses; Stephanie Cross, Mary...
The news catching our attention over the past week has been the Pentagon’s plan to extend some benefits to same-sex military spouses. Word broke last week that the changes were to come: Panetta must walk a fine, legal line. While...
MSJDN members Lori Volkman and Marcelina Chambers are both competing in the Military Spouse of the Year contest from Military Spouse Magazine. Lori is competing for Navy Spouse of the Year representing NB San Diego, and Marcelina is competing for Air Force Spouse of the Year representing Davis-Monthan...
Texas Offers Military Spouse Attorneys Path to Law License In an unprecedented move, Texas is now the first state to initiate a licensing accommodation policy for military spouse attorneys without a formal rule change so that it could begin...
On January 25, 2013, the North Carolina State Bar (NCSB) approved a rule providing unencumbered bar admission for military spouse attorneys. NCSB approval puts rule change in North Carolina one step closer to reality, and will now go to...
Congrats to Lori Volkman and Marcelina Chambers! Both were voted Military Spouse of the Year for their installation and have advanced to the next round of voting for Military Spouse of the Year! Lori will be representing NB San Diego and competing for...
Lori Volkman, MSJDN Communications Director and Deputy Prosecuting Attorney in Washington State, and Marcelina Chambers, MSJDN member and Assistant Attorney General in Arizona, have both been nominated for Military Spouse Magazine’s Military Spouse of the Year. We wrote about Lori and Marcelina earlier...
Member post by MSJDN member and MSOY nominee Marcelina Rivera-Chambers, Esq. Longstanding rules within the military typically prohibit officers and members of enlisted ranks from personally associating outside of their duties and orders. There are good reasons for these rules...
As part of the launch of our new website, we’ve gathered some great tools for MSJDN members in the Sidebar to our blog. Our greatest resource, of course, is each other, so if you know of a great tool...
MSJDN President Mary Reding was quoted in a piece by NBC News about the Pentagon’s decision to stay out of a debate at Fort Bragg regarding admission of a same sex spouse to the officers’ spouses club. Pentagon opts not to...
MSJDN has grown in amazing ways over the past eighteen months. We now have over 650 members scattered across the globe, we’ve received the support of numerous organizations, including the ABA and the Conference of Chief Justices. Our private,...
MSJDN is seeking volunteers to fill three open positions in the organization. Governance Director: Board member. Regularly review and update the board’s statement of roles and areas of responsibility, and define expectations from individual board members. Assists the board in formation...
Lori Volkman, MSJDN Communications Director and Deputy Prosecuting Attorney in Washington State, and Marcelina Chambers, MSJDN member and Assistant Attorney General in Arizona, have both been nominated for Military Spouse Magazine’s Military Spouse of the Year. Congratulations to both! The first round of...
