MSJDN supports military families during service and through the transition into life as a veteran family. One of MSJDN’s core missions is to educate the public about the challenges faced by career-minded military spouses and their families, including the...
On March 7, 2019, the Arkansas Supreme Court published and adopted Rule XVII of the Rules Governing Admission to the Bar of Arkansas, “Military Spouse Temporary Admission,” effective immediately. Rule XVII creates a mechanism for the admission of military...
On March 7, 2019, the Utah Supreme Court adopted Rule 14-805, “Admission for spouse of active military stationed in Utah”. Rule 14-805 creates a mechanism for the admission of military spouse attorneys, including the issuance of a temporary certificate...
Pennsylvania is now the 33rd state to adopt a military spouse licensing accommodation rule. On January 29, 2019, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court’s Board of Law Examiners adopted a new rule that allows military spouse attorneys who accompany their servicemembers...
By Kristen Jones, 2018-2019 MSJDN Treasurer-Elect This month we celebrate Wyoming as the 32nd state (and 33rd jurisdiction) to pass a military spouse licensing rule. Effective October 1, 2018, military spouses and domestic partners may apply for admission without...
Effective September 17, 2018, military spouse attorneys on orders to Florida will now be able to apply for temporary admission without examination to the Florida Bar pursuant to the newly enacted Chapter 21 of the Rules Regulating the Florida...
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...
Military spouse attorneys often have to place their own careers on hold as they move around the globe to accompany their service member on their military assignments. Too often, dreams of a career in the legal profession are sacrificed...
By Cristina Olson On March 21, 2018, the Supreme Court of Nevada issued an Order amending Supreme Court Rule 49 to provide temporary certification to practice law for attorney spouses of active duty military personnel. The new rule will...
Today, the Supreme Court of the State of Nebraska approved an amendment to Neb. Ct. R. 3-119, with an effective date of March 14, 2018. This amendment to Neb. Ct. R. 3-119 of the Rules of the Supreme Court...
Five of our incredible MSJDN members are among the newly announced nominees for the 2018 Armed Forces Insurance Military Spouse of the Year. Join us in congratulating Stefany Buckley, Bobbie Collins, Kaiti Smith Dean, Tricia Petek, and Anna Blanch...
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...
Nebraska is home to Offutt Air Force Base, headquarters of the U.S. Strategic Command, the Air Force Weather Agency, and the 55th Wing of the Air Combat Command, as well as several National Guard and recruiting posts. The legal community in the state has long...
by Katherine Lee Goyette Hurricane Harvey became a Category 4 hurricane on August 25, 2017, hitting land hours later near Rockport, Texas at peak intensity. The same day, President Trump issued a Major Disaster Declaration for the state of...
Military Spouse JD Network is now accepting nominations for the 2017 Exceptional Service and Volunteer Service Awards through Friday, August 18th. The Exceptional Service Award recognizes a MSJDN member who exemplifies service to others in the workplace or community....
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 leadership. Our...
Newman’s Own® Awards Totaling $200,000 Presented to Five Military Non-Profit Organizations General Joseph Dunford, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Recognizes Winners in Pentagon Ceremony Today, the Military Spouse JD Network (MSJDN) was honored as one of five non-profit organizations...
There is nothing that a roomful of military spouses cannot accomplish when given a day to learn, share, and collaborate with each other. I was so proud to be a member of MSJDN last week, when our amazing MSJDN...
Earlier this month, four members of the Military Spouse JD Network Board of Directors traveled to San Francisco to take part in the American Bar Association’s Annual Meeting. Over the course of a few short but busy days, they spread the...
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...
The Kansas Supreme Court recently published Proposed Rule 712A relating to the admission of military spouse attorneys seeking to practice while residing in the state due to their active duty servicemember’s orders. This proposal stems from a filing by the Military...
Each year, the Military Spouse JD Network marks our anniversary on June 14 with Founders’ Day. Members around the country started celebrating last week with gatherings in Washington, California, and Virginia – and the festivities will continue for the coming month as we recognize five...
Editor’s Note: MSJDN asked its members to nominate employers going above and beyond for military spouse attorneys. During past month, we have put the Employer Spotlight on each of the nominees to tell the stories of those supporting military spouses in...
by Thea Pitzen Like my Navy family, many of you reading this may be fans of NCIS, CBS’s long-running and extremely popular action drama series that focuses on the “sometimes complex and always amusing dynamics of a team forced...
By Rachel Hsiao Military spouses have to be flexible. It’s a requirement of the military lifestyle. That requirement of flexibility crosses over to all aspects of life- particularly the professional life. It can be difficult to find an employer who is...
The Military Spouse JD Network is an all-volunteer 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 leadership. Our...
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...
The South Carolina Supreme Court has adopted a rule reducing licensing barriers for attorneys moving to the state with their servicemember spouse on military orders. Effective on May 16, 2016, Rule 430 as adopted will allow military spouse attorneys to obtain a...
Join us for our Annual Reception on Thursday, May 12, 2016, as we celebrate five incredible years of change and progress for military spouses in the legal profession. This year’s reception will be held at the headquarters of the Association...
Military spouses who accompany their servicemembers to Oregon can now obtain a temporary license to practice law in the state under Rule for Admission of Attorneys 18.05. The new rule, which went in to effect on March 1, 2016, was initiated in 2013, when U.S....
by Maureen Lavery The Military Spouse JD Network has released the results of its third annual survey on military spouse attorney demographics. The survey was open to all military spouse attorneys regardless of MSJDN membership status and collected demographic...
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...
MSJDN was founded in 2011 and will celebrate its 5th anniversary this June. In those 5 years, remarkable change has occurred for military spouse attorneys seeking to continue their careers while accompanying their servicemembers on assignments across the states...
Seven talented MSJDN members are among the newly announced nominees for the 2016 Armed Forces Insurance Military Spouse of the Year. Join us in congratulating Katherine Goyette, Emily Macey, Ashley Ludovicy-Donahue, Michelle Mance, Anna Rabe, Leigh Searl, and Natalie...
2015 was an incredibly busy and productive year for MSJDN and military spouse attorneys around the globe! January 2015 started with the good news that six military spouse attorneys were nominated for the 2015 Armed Forces Insurance Military Spouse...
Earlier this year, the Military Spouse JD Network put out a call for nominations for the 2015 MSJDN Exceptional Service Award to recognize a member for going above and beyond the call of duty to serve others. Many deserving military...
As the Military Spouse JD Network continues to push for licensing changes 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 Department of...
The Military Spouse JD Network (MSJDN) is proud to announce that Kentucky has taken a significant step in removing licensing barriers for military spouses residing within its borders. This month, the Kentucky Supreme Court amended its admission rules to include...
Earlier this year, MSJDN launched a redesigned website, featuring a refreshed look and feel. We are excited to announce that the continuing work on the functionality and features of the site has been completed, resulting in an upgraded online experience...
By Tara Said October 5, 2015 – a day that will live forever in the memories of a group of MSJDN attorneys and their spouses! Twelve MSJDN attorneys were sworn into the United States Supreme Court, sponsored by Judge Patricia Millett...
#USAADIGIMIL Last week, I had the privilege to represent MSJDN at the two day DigitalMilEx conference hosted by USAA in San Antonio, Texas. The USAA team put together an incredible two days of speakers and education for digital influencers in...
On Thursday, September 17, 2015, the Maryland Court of Appeals issued an order adopting a new rule aimed at reducing licensing barriers for military spouse attorneys seeking to practice law while relocating alongside a service member due to a change in duty...
Military spouse attorney Jessica Ortiz, who worked diligently in support of licensing accommodation in Oklahoma, was the first MSJDN member to be sworn in under the rule. Like many military spouses, Jessica found herself in a state far from home thanks...
For many of us, John Oliver is just a very funny man. His acerbic sense of humor and British accent keep us rolling in front of our TVs as he pokes fun at the crazy things people say and...
Indiana has become the latest of a growing number of jurisdictions to support military spouses in the legal professional through a licensing accommodation. On August 17, 2015, the Indiana Supreme Court authorized the state’s Board of Law Examiners to waive the minimum...
MSJDN’s 2015-2016 leadership team – including the Board of Directors for both MSJDN and the Military Spouse JD Foundation, as well as MSJDN Committee Chairs – met on July 11th and 12th at the historic Army Navy Country Club in Arlington, Virginia...
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...
On Sunday, July 12, 2015, during MSJDN’s annual Strategic Planning weekend at the Army Navy Country Club in Arlington, Virginia, MSJDN President Eleanor Vuono presented Communications Director and Board Member Libby Jamison with the inaugural Mary Reding Smith Excellence...
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The Board of Governors of the State Bar of Georgia recently met to discuss a proposal advanced by the Military Spouse JD Network that would allow military spouse attorneys to gain provisional admission to the state bar. The proposal,...
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...
“You can and you must!” This was the opening message delivered to the attendees at Homefront Rising, a political boot camp for military spouses interested in running for office co-hosted by MSJDN and In Gear Career. Jocelyn Benson, a...
The Military Spouse JD Network is an all-volunteer organization focused on supporting military spouses in the legal profession. All of MSJDN’s works are overseen by an active Board of Directors and put in to action by our committee leadership. Our...
Since 2011, MSJDN has experienced unprecedented growth and success. In just a few short years, we’ve expanded from two members to connect with over 1,000 military spouse attorneys and supporters around the globe. Our licensing accommodation efforts have resulted in...
In December 2012, Arizona State Rule 38(i) was issued, allowing qualified attorneys married to servicemembers stationed in the state to apply for admission to Arizona bar without examination. This support from the Arizona legal community acknowledges that military spouses should...
MSJDN proudly announces the launch of a redesigned version of its website, www.msjdn.org. Key features of the new site include public and private directories, an upgraded member section featuring a jobs board and member-only forums, and streamlined access to resources...
The Military Spouse JD Network (MSJDN) is thrilled to announce that Prudential Financial, Inc. is our newest Homefront to Hired partner. Prudential, headquartered in Newark, NJ, is one of the world’s largest financial institutions with about 47,000 employees in...
Editor’s Note: MSJDN asked its members to nominate employers who are going above and beyond for military spouse attorneys. During the month of April, we put the Employer Spotlight on each of the nominees to tell the stories of those supporting military...
As if life in the Virgin Islands wasn’t already appealing enough, the Supreme Court of the United States Virgin Islands has adopted a new rule to ease licensing barriers for military spouse attorneys in their jurisdiction. Today, the Court...
By Katherine Goyette MSJDN presents the 2015 MSJDN Survey Report, revealing the results of the military spouse attorney survey that ran from late December 2014 to mid-January 2015. 225 military spouse attorneys participated in the survey, allowing MSJDN to understand information about the organization’s...
MSJDN is excited to announce that the 2015 Professional Excellence Award will be presented to Christina Guerola Sarchio at the Annual Reception on May 6th in D.C. Currently a partner in Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP’s Washington, DC office,...
At the MSJDN Annual Reception on May 6th, Lieutenant General Flora Darpino will accept the 2015 MSJDN Homefront to Hired Award on behalf of the Army’s Office of The Judge Advocate General (OTJAG). This award recognizes law firms and...
It’s that time of year again! Military Spouse JD Network’s Annual Reception will take place Wednesday, May 6, 2015, in Washington, D.C. The Annual Reception will be held at the historic Army Navy Club, 901 17th Street Northwest, from...
Today is your last chance to save a seat at Homefront Rising at a reduced rate! Ticket prices will increase to $95 on April 1st. It’s a worthwhile expense at any price, but don’t be an April fool –...
Courage Beyond Hosts “Helping Our Heroes Heal” Conference in Clarksville on March 27 Courage Beyond, a national non-profit serving military service members and families, is proud to host the Helping Our Heroes Heal conference in Clarksville, Tennessee on March...
On March 5, 2015, MSJDN Member Angelica Kang received the prestigious “Woman of Inspiration” Award from Ms. JD at its “Ms. JD: Stronger Together” conference in San Francisco, California. Angelica is a law student in Fordham University’s evening division...
MSJDN is proud to announce that Lieutenant General Flora Darpino has been named as a recipient of the ABA’s Margaret Brent Women Lawyers of Achievement Award. LTG Darpino, the senior military legal advisor in the U.S. Army and a...
by Brooke Goldberg In December, the National Military Family Association (NFMA) held its annual Leadership Luncheon. This year, they examined the question, “Does a Work-Life Balance Exist for Women in the Military Community?” The question was asked of four...
SAVE THE DATE! MSJDN will host its Third Annual Reception in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday, May 6. Mark your calendars, and watch your email for more information as the details crystallize. If you are interested in helping plan the...
MSJDN broadcast its first-ever webinar on January 26th to rave reviews. Almost 30 attendees from across the country tuned in for an hour-long session discussing small business formation. Presenter and military spouse attorney Donna Huneycutt provided a thorough review of options for business forms,...
We’ve come a long way since our organization was founded by two military spouses in 2011. With members at duty stations around the globe, much of MSJDN’s growth has come through the use of social media. Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn...
Six, yes, SIX of our talented MSJDN members are among the newly announced nominees for the 2015 Armed Forces Insurance Military Spouse of the Year. Join us in congratulating Maria Chavez-Black, Tara Gaston, Elizabeth Jamison, Tatiana Matta, Natalie Wilson,...
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....
On December 15, 2014, the Supreme Court of the State of Oklahoma approved a licensing accommodation for military spouse attorneys moving to the state due to their active duty servicemember’s orders. This new rule makes Oklahoma the twelfth state...
Dear MSJDN, Winter is finally here, and with it come lots of opportunities from the Military Spouse JD Network. MSJDN is working to improve and update our governance documents – including our by-laws, policies and procedures, and committee policies...
There are a number of events coming up that MSJDN is hosting and/or participating in around the country. Check out the details below, and join us! We would love to see you! December 9, 2014–National Military Family Association 2014...
For several months, the MSJDN Board has been reviewing, revising, and updating its policies and procedures. As part of that effort, the Board recently approved a new policy under which MSJDN will consider nominating MSJDN members, partners, and community...
Happy Holidays from Lindsey Savage, Membership Chair, and the entire membership committee. We have been hard at work to identify and secure valuable membership benefits for you and are excited to share what’s coming in 2015: ABA Discount: Be...
We have a day for giving thanks. We have two for getting deals. Now, we have #GivingTuesday, a global day dedicated to giving back. Today, December 2, 2014, charities, families, businesses, community centers, and students around the world are coming...
On October 24, 2014, MSJDN Member Maria Chavez-Black received the Attorney of the Year award from the American Bar Association’s Immigration Justice Project (“IJP”) in San Diego, California. The IJP’s mission “is to promote due process and access to justice at...
The Military Spouse JD Network (MSJDN) is a group of military spouse attorneys, founded in 2011 by two military spouses frustrated with the challenges of maintaining a legal career that seemed incompatible with the military lifestyle. They formed MSJDN...
Military Spouse J.D. Network is pleased to announce that Kari-Lynn Wenciker has accepted the role as State Licensing Chair. MSJDN’s state licensing initiative is run by a committee of state directors working with teams of volunteers to implement strategic state licensing...
MSJDN’s San Diego members are getting together the evening before Making the Right Moves, and they would love for all attendees to join them! The event will be a happy hour on Thursday, October 16, at 5:30pm, and will...
On October 17, 2014, MSJDN will host Making the Right Moves at the Thomas Jefferson School of Law (TJSL) in San Diego, California. While many law schools have recently expanded their programs to include part-time students, TJSL took the...
Dear MSJDN Members, Making the Right Moves is right around the corner….do you have your ticket? I’m looking forward to this year’s day of development in sunny San Diego. This year’s full day event features some incredibly impressive leaders...
Editor’s Note: As we were going to print on this issue of Bars & Stripes, MSJDN received confirmation of another terrific keynote speaker. Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez of the 80th Assembly District for the California Assembly will also be addressing attendees at...
Making the Right Moves (MRM) is a conference dedicated to the professional development of military spouse attorneys. This year, the second annual MRM conference will focus on creating and following a successful career path tailored to the unique needs...
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 and its events. If you are interested in sponsoring MRM,...
The Military Spouse JD Network congratulates board member Natalie Wilson on receiving the Belva Lockwood Outstanding Young Lawyer Award from the Bexar County Women’s Bar Association. This award is presented annually to recipients chosen based on overall contributions to...
MSJDN members Hayne Beatrous Caliva and Lauren Roland attended the North Carolina Defense Business Association (NCDBA) Chairman’s Annual Luncheon in Raleigh on July 23rd. DBANC is comprised of a wide variety of businesses, organizations, and individuals with several things in common, including: prior military...
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...
MSJDN’s 2014-2015 leadership team – including the Board of Directors for both MSJDN and the Military Spouse JD Foundation, as well as Committee Chairs – met on July 26 and 27 at the historic Army Navy Country Club in...
Dear MSJDN Members, From rolling out our first annual dues payment to Homefront Rising Tampa to leadership strategic planning and MSJDN Founder celebrations all across the country – MSJDN has had a busy summer. As you know, we have...
Military spouse attorneys are in a New York state of mind after learning that the New York State Board of Law Examiners (BOLE) has recently published a military spouse attorney licensing policy. The following message appears online: NOTICE TO MILITARY SPOUSES SEEKING...
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...
MSJDN is pleased to announce our nomination of Justice Sandee Marion to receive the Sarah T. Hughes Women Lawyers of Achievement Award. Justice Marion is thoughtful, intelligent, a consummate professional, and a military spouse attorney! Not only has she...
