Blurred Image
Featured Article

Court is Assembled: Patton and Principled Counsel

This article by Margaret “Peggy” Baines explores the concept of “Principled Counsel” in military legal practice, using a scene from Patton (1970) as a case study. It discusses the challenges Army Judge Advocates face in delivering ethical legal advice, emphasizing mentorship, teamwork, and moral courage in advising senior officials.

A military officer in a helmet with three stars gestures with a riding crop while surrounded by soldiers in a dusty, urban battlefield setting.
A military officer in uniform standing at a podium, addressing an audience. Behind the officer, there is a banner for the "National Security Law Association" with a logo of an eagle and the words "George Washington Law." Part of the audience is seated and listening attentively, while the GW Law logo is also displayed on a projection screen in the background. The setting appears to be an academic or professional conference room.
Read Time: < 17 mins

Practice Notes: Implementing Quality of Life Initiatives for a People First Focus

This article by Major Thomas J. Travers explores how leaders in the U.S. Army Judge Advocate General's (JAG) Corps can cultivate a "People First" culture that prioritizes soldier well-being and improves work-life balance. Drawing inspiration from the Army People Strategy, the author argues for a shift away from traditional hierarchical leadership models towards a more inclusive and empowering approach.

By Major Thomas J. Travers

LTG Risch speaks to members of the George Washington University Law School’s National Security Law Association
Read Time: < 29 mins

Fiscal Implications of Court and Administrative Orders, Settlement Agreements, and Civil Consent Decrees

This article explores the fiscal implications of court and administrative orders, settlement agreements, and civil consent decrees, focusing on their impact on federal appropriations and budgetary constraints. It examines key topics such as the Antideficiency Act, the Judgment Fund, sovereign immunity, and the Miscellaneous Receipts Statute, providing insights into how these legal frameworks interact with appropriations law.

By Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) Michael J. Davidson, SJD

LTG Risch speaks to members of the George Washington University Law School’s National Security Law Association.
Read Time: < 20 mins

Lawyers as Leaders: Servant Leadership and Our Dual Profession

Lawyers should be able to build and lead organizations. They should be able to develop the vision, the values, the priorities, the strategies, the people, the processes, the checks and balances, the resources, and the motivation. Team participation and team leadership are interconnected: leadership today is often not command and control but persuasion and motivation and empowerment of teams around a shared vision.

By Lieutenant General Stuart W. Risch and Lieutenant Colonel John E. Swords

A person performing a handstand on a snowy mountain peak at sunset. The horizon is filled with soft, billowing clouds beneath the mountaintop, while the sky above transitions from deep blue to warm orange and pink hues as the sun sets. The scene is serene and awe-inspiring, with the person silhouetted against the vibrant sky, emphasizing both their balance and the vastness of the surrounding landscape.
Read Time: < 7 mins

Staying Army Strong while Growing a Warrior

One soldier's perspective on the Army's new Holistic Health and Fitness (H2F) program is from the viewpoint of a postpartum Army judge advocate who recently gave birth. It focuses on the physical and nutritional readiness domains and emphasizes the approach to them during pregnancy.

By Major Jeri L. D’Aurelio

Read More Army Lawyer Articles