Judge Advocate

United States Marine Corps; United States; On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive military pay

Benefits

Funded LL.M. programs

Worldwide duty stations

Legal education opportunities

Job summary

United States Marine Corps seeks licensed attorneys serving as Judge Advocates, offering 0-3L law students early responsibility and courtroom leadership experience. This role spans criminal, administrative, and operational law within a military context.

You will act as trial or defense counsel, provide guidance on military justice, and support commanders on ethical and compliance matters while assisting Marines and their families with diverse legal issues.

Qualifications

• Eligible for enrollment or graduate status in an ABA-accredited law school (0-3L).
• LSAT 150+ (unless licensed attorney or equivalent).
• U.S. citizenship and eligibility for military commissioning.
• Undergraduate GPA 2.0 or higher.
• Opportunities for advanced education (LL.M.) funded by the Marine Corps.

Responsibilities

• Serve as trial or defense counsel in courts-martial.
• Provide legal advice on military justice, ethics, and administrative law.
• Represent clients in appellate proceedings.
• Support commanders on operational and compliance matters.
• Assist Marines and families with legal issues across family and civil law.
• Conduct legal research and draft opinions.

Skills

Criminal litigation

Operational and international law

Environmental, labor, and contract law

Legal assistance and civil law

Education

ABA accredited law school

LL.M. opportunities

Job description

Marine Corps Judge Advocates serve as commissioned officers and licensed attorneys, providing legal services in criminal, administrative, and operational law. This role offers an excellent opportunity for 0-3L law students to assume responsibility early in their careers and gain immediate courtroom and leadership experience.

About the Role

Primary Responsibilities:

• Serve as trial counsel (prosecutor) or defense counsel in courts-martial
• Provide legal advice on military justice, ethics, and administrative law
• Represent clients in appellate proceedings
• Support commanders on operational and compliance matters
• Assist Marines and their families with legal issues, including family and civil law
• Conduct legal research and draft opinions

Qualifications

• Currently enrolled in or graduated from an ABA accredited law school (0-3L students qualified)
• LSAT 150+ (unless licensed member of a state bar, U.S territory, or the District of Columbia, and have graduated from an ABA accredited law school)
• U.S. citizenship and eligibility to meet military commissioning requirements
• Undergraduate GPA of 2.0 or higher
• Criminal litigation
• Operational and international law
• Environmental, labor, and contract law
• Legal assistance and civil law
• Advanced education (LL.M. opportunities funded by the Marine Corps)
• Competitive military pay and benefits
• Funded legal education opportunities
• Worldwide duty assignments
• Professional training and advancement

If you are seeking a challenging and rewarding legal career with global impact, consider serving as a Marine Corps Judge Advocate.