President’s Message You may have noticed that MSJDN has been busy recently. With our 10th-anniversary approaching, preparations have been underway for a fantastic virtual celebration. In the lead-up to the big event, we unveiled a new logo, and soon,...
There can be no doubt that this year has been an extremely challenging year for this country as many, including our nation’s President, have suffered and are continuing to suffer from a widespread pandemic. Nevertheless, even in the darkest...
“I am forever thankful to have found this network.” “Over the last several years of constant mil life uncertainty, so many of you wonderful folk have listened to me whine, inspired me, impressed me, consoled me, given me pep...
By Rachel Smith As military spouse attorneys, we know that the military is its own world and its judicial system is no exception. The unfortunate reality is that domestic violence is prevalent in the military. Many military spouses (civilians...
By Rebecca Bartlett Part I: The Set-up Now is the time for military spouse attorneys to adapt their legal career, yet again, to overcome the odds. Uniquely, COVID-19 has thrown the entire country right in there with us this...
For military spouses, setting long term career goals can be difficult. Finding meaningful employment might be a career goal that is just not possible due to your licensing or there might not be a market in your location. However,...
In the weeks leading up to Thanksgiving, I noticed a lot of my friends updating their daily status to reflect things, people, places, for which they are thankful. While there are so many things to be thankful for, I...
Events Committee: The Events Committee has been busy planning and preparing for Making the Right Moves, our 7th annual professional development conference, which will be held on Thursday, October 24 at Google in Washington DC. For the first time,...
The definition of insanity is glibly defined as, “doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.” Since its inception in 2011, the MSJDN has continuously evolved to address the needs and goals of its members. ...
Communications Committee: The Communications Committee is looking for a Social Media Manager! Do you have an interest in public relations or social media marketing? Do you love to write? Or do you find you just can’t stop talking about...
Since 2011, MSJDN has grown its membership, its mission, and its impact. Whenever I am speaking to new contacts about MSJDN and I reveal that our membership consists of roughly 700 dues paying members, the response is surprisingly, “that’s...
Justice for Military Families: Pro Bono for Military Families by Military Families The Justice for Military Families (JMF) team has been busy in recent weeks. As I finish my tenure as Pro Bono Director and turn over the position...
I began my journey with MSJDN in 2011 after reading about two women in search of attorneys married to service members in my law school’s newsletter. At that point, MSJDN was a group on Facebook looking for people with...
In a recent visit to Cambridge, MA, I visited Harvard Square and observed a mural painted by Be Sargent in 1998, entitled “Women’s Community Cancer Project Mural.” The women in the mural represented women activists that died of cancer,...
Each year, MSJDN celebrates Founders’ Day to acknowledge the beginning of our organization and the advancements achieved for military spouse attorneys since our founding in 2011. Below, we have collected the events currently on calendar (click on the links...
Summary of 2017 MSJDN Annual Survey Results by Sanya Sarich Kerksiek The Military Spouse JD Network has released the results of its fifth annual survey on military spouse attorney demographics and careers. MSJDN developed the survey to help assess...
The past few months have been full of farewells in my household. After six years on the East Coast, the Navy decided it was time for us to return to the California sunshine. While I am very fortunate to...
Over the last year, I’ve used my space in the newsletter to talk about some of the characteristics of military spouse attorneys that I’ve observed during my involvement with MSJDN: Service: Military spouse attorneys are incredibly committed to pro...
“So I can just marry someone in the military and I don’t have to take the bar?” “I took the bar here, so should everyone else.” “Just do pro bono.” “You can be a realtor while you live here.”...
On November 15, 2017, the military and legal communities came together for a night of networking and connections. Sponsored by Mayer Brown and White & Case, MSJDN was thrilled to work with Hiring Our Heroes, the American Bar Association, and...
I’m happy to report that the hard work of MSJDN’s volunteers continues as we move toward the end of 2017. Applications are open for the 2018 MSJDN mentoring program and the annual military spouse attorney survey has just gone...
By Devon Bozard The heart contracts upon hearing the moving stories of spouses and families who find themselves in the position of caregiver to a loved one who has been wounded in service to our country. These “Hidden Heroes”...
By Karen Scanlan As an ABA affiliated organization, the National Conference of Women’s Bar Associations (NCWBA) presents a yearly Women’s Bar Leadership Summit (the “Summit”) during the ABA’s Annual Meeting. The 2017 Summit, Succeeding with Strength and Savvy was...
By Sanya Sarich Kersiek Making the Right Moves (MRM), MSJDN’s annual professional development conference, took place this past Friday and Saturday. New this year was a members’ retreat on a second day providing plenty of time for building connections....
With apologies to our awesome MSJDN Communications team, I’m writing this month’s letter the day before the newsletter goes out because I knew I wouldn’t want to write anything until after the Making the Right Moves conference was over....
It is my great honor to serve as the President of the Military Spouse JD Network for the 2017-2018 year. Since joining MSJDN in 2012, I’ve been fortunate to meet many amazing military spouse attorneys with compelling stories of...
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...
On May 12, 2017, Homefront Rising returned to D.C. at Holland & Knight LLP for yet another full-day of non-partisan education, training and networking for military spouses interested in routing their careers toward advocacy and public service. The morning...
By Amanda Downs Frizzelle Amy Waller Apostol is a military spouse attorney who has successfully navigated the demands of military life while still maintaining a meaningful legal career. A mother of three and a wife to a Navy JAG...
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...
By Mariya Volzhskaya I am a “working from home” work in progress. Since following my spouse OCONUS and due to strict limitations on work opportunities where we live, “working from home” has been a challenge to grow into. Before...
Interested in exercising your leadership skills? Have you always wanted to work for a non-profit? Please consider serving on MSJDN’s Board so you can help shape the future of our organization. Applications for open positions are due March 10....
The Communications team is proud to announce the new members of the MSJDN Writer Corps for 2016-2017. Please help us in welcoming our new team of writers. Sarah Cable. Sarah Cable is an Air Force spouse and soon-to-be mother...
The Justice for Military Families team has had a busy month! We have officially begun work on our online library. This library will be a compilation of information sheets, ranging from 1-4 pages each, organized by subject matter and...
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....
by Sarah Cable Earlier this year, the Military Spouse JD Network put out a call for nominations for the 2016 MSJDN Exceptional Service Award to recognize a member for demonstrating an unwavering commitment to the legal profession and going...
On October 21, 2016, the Military Spouse JD Network held their fourth annual Making the Right Moves professional development conference. This year’s host sponsor was Vinson & Elkins (V&E), and the event took place in their Washington, D.C. offices....
As the Military Spouse JD Network continues to advocate across the country for reduced licensing barriers and increased employment opportunities, we are often asked to provide details about military spouses in the legal profession. Although we can extrapolate some data about military families from the...
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...
By Mariya Volzhskaya Looking forward to spending a weekend in Washington DC while attending Making the Right Moves 2016? There is so much going on in the city that with a day or two to spare you can sample...
By Maureen Lavery On October 21, 2016, the Military Spouse J.D. Network will kick off Making the Right Moves 2016, MSJDN’s annual career development conference created for the specific needs of military spouse attorneys. This year’s conference will be...
MSJDN’s 2016-2017 leadership team – including the Board of Directors for both MSJDN and the Military Spouse JD Foundation, as well as MSJDN Committee Chairs – met on June 11th and 12th at the historic Army Navy Country Club in Arlington, Virginia...
Homefront Rising returned to Washington, D.C. on June 17-18th, to co-host the Women’s Council in partnership with Veterans Campaign and the Atlantic Council. Homefront Rising is a non-partisan initiative founded by Mary Reding Smith, Lauren Wittenberg Weiner, and Donna...
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...
On August 26, 2016, Military Spouse JD Network (MSJDN) and the Association of the United States Army (AUSA) will convene a day-long event to educate, encourage collaboration and provide tools to make military spouse-led organizations more effective. Learning &...
Communications: There’s never a dull day on the Communications Committee! From updating our social media sites (check us out on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram) to pitching stories to the press to making sure members are kept up to date via...
MSJDN is excited to announce the return of Homefront Rising this month! In partnership with Veterans Campaign and the Atlantic Council, Homefront Rising will co-host the Women’s Symposium, two days of education and training for female military spouses and veterans...
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How to Outsource Legal Work to a Freelance Attorney By: Meghan Dohoney, MSJDN Member and Freelance Attorney As military spouse attorneys, we balance long hours, difficult clients, combative opposing counsel, frequent moves, countless evenings alone, and the ever-changing schedules...
By Kelly Wilson On my first day as a practicing attorney, my then-boss suggested I read Daring Greatly by Brene Brown, a very on trend book at the moment. What’s funny is that I actually already had the book...
Five years ago, on April 1, 2011, I knew only two other military spouse attorneys like me: lawyers who moved every two to three years to a new state, with a new set of licensing requirements, and no professional...
Justice for Military Families is seeking help with the cases listed below. Any assistance that either an MSJDN member can provide, or any referrals to other attorneys that may be able to handle this case on a pro bono...
The Justice for Military Families Pro Bono Program provides attorney military spouses the opportunity to do meaningful legal work as volunteers. JMF works to support TAPS (Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors), while they support the families of fallen services...
Interested in exercising your leadership skills? Have you always wanted to work with a non-profit? Please consider applying to serve on MSJDN’s Board and help shape the future of our organization. Nominations are open through March 10. Board leaders are responsible for...
“There are two ways to spread light: to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it.” – Edith Wharton Of all the things I do in MSJDN, my absolute favorite is to nominate our deserving members and programs...
By Rachel Hsiao “To be or not to be? That is the question. Whether ’tis nobler in the mind to suffer The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune, Or to take arms against a sea of troubles, And, by...
Catch up with the Justice for Military Families Pro Bono Program! Director – Gabriela Nostro Pro Bono Coordinator – Sarah Ford Committee Secretary – Amy Rose Intake Coordinators – Jenna Bouchard, Kirsten Gough, Rachel Hsiao, and Tricia Petek The...
Kentucky joins growing list of states supporting military spouse attorneys. In November, Kentucky’s Supreme Court amended its admission rules to include a licensing accommodation for military spouse attorneys. Effective January 1, 2016, Kentucky Supreme Court Rule 2.113 will allow...
By Melissa Guggisberg Last month, military spouse attorneys traveled from around the country to gather in Seattle, WA for the 3rd annual “Making the Right Moves” Conference for the Military Spouse Attorney Network (MSJDN.) The event was graciously hosted by Bracewell...
By Rachel Hsiao As a military spouse, having a career is not easy. As a military spouse who is also an attorney? I am sure you are all aware of the challenges and obstacles we face. The option I...
By Maureen Lavery The U.S. military is still overwhelmingly male – about 85% of the active duty force, according to the most recent Defense Manpower Data Center demographics report – so it comes as little surprise that the membership...
States racing to support military spouse attorneys Maryland is officially on the map! Well, the MSJDN State Licensing Map, that is. On Sept. 17, the Maryland Court of Appeals approved a rule that will allow military spouse attorneys to practice on a...
By Kate Stapleton By now, lessons from Sheryl Sandberg’s 2013 book Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead have become part of the common vernacular of working women. We lean into our careers early on; we seek...
Thanking Our Fantastic Sponsors and Supporters of Military Spouse Attorneys MSJDN would like to take a moment to extend our heartfelt thanks to this year’s Making the Right Moves sponsors. We appreciate so very much the support for our organization...
From the President’s Desk: Happy October! Although the weather is still warm in Washington D.C., my thoughts are on the changing seasons, and the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday (my favorite of the year!). I have so much to be thankful...
MSJDN’s annual Making the Right Moves (MRM) event is a conference dedicated specifically to the professional development of military spouse attorneys. In past years, the event has been held in Washington, D.C., and in San Diego, California. This year,...
By Tara Gaston “In this day, successful attorneys must have websites, a social media presence, and really put themselves out there!” “In this day, servicemembers and their families must be careful in the information they release in the event that it...
From the President’s Desk: Summer greetings to all! Your MSJDN Board of Directors and committee chairs have been hard at work this summer. We are excited about the upcoming year and the many fantastic MSJDN projects underway. Whenever you...
by Kaiti Smith Dean At this year’s Kentucky Bar Association Annual Convention in June, I had the pleasure of speaking before the Kentucky Supreme Court alongside MSJDN President Elect Josie Beets. The Commonwealth of Kentucky included a Proposed Amendment to...
The MSJDN Communications team is excited to introduce our Writer’s Corps team. Please help us in welcoming our new team! Maryann Menanno is our new editor of the Bars and Stripes Newsletter. Currently she lives in Maryland and...
Each year, the Military Spouse JD Network celebrates our anniversary on June 14 with Founders’ Day. Leading up to this year’s celebration of our founding, we are taking to social media to share the stories at the core of our organization...
Dear MSJDNers, This is a bittersweet issue for me to be sending you. For nearly three years now, I’ve served as your trusty Newsletter Editor. Since before there was a Bars and Stripes, before there was a Writer’s Corps or even...
Dear MSJDN Members, It has been an honor to serve as the President of the Military Spouse JD Network over the past year. MSJDN’s job is to serve our members, our military community, and the legal profession. Starting last June,...
By Sarah Ford On March 17, I attended a luncheon and panel discussion in Nashville, TN hosted by the Lawyers’ Association for Women-Marion Griffin Chapter (LAW). The presentation was conducted by our own Josie Beets, who was joined by...
