Attorney L Law Student

Overview

For those in Washington, North Idaho, and all of Montana:
The U.S. Marine Corps is seeking motivated attorneys to serve as active-duty Marine Corps Judge Advocates
, playing a critical role in national security and military justice worldwide. As a Marine Judge Advocate, you will join an organization comparable to a large law firm, consisting of more than 400 attorneys supported by a robust professional staff. Most officers begin their careers serving as prosecutors or defense counsel in courts-martial
, with opportunities over time to practice in a wide range of legal disciplines.

Potential practice areas include:
Operational & International Law
, Environmental & Labor Law
, Family Law
, Administrative Law
, and Appellate advocacy before the Navy-Marine Corps Court of Criminal Appeals and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces
.

After appointment as a Judge Advocate, you may have the opportunity to pursue a Master of Laws (LL.M.) degree at the government’s expense
. Additionally, Marine Judge Advocates regularly attend professional courses conducted by leading law schools and legal institutes nationwide. Each year, the Marine Corps sends more than one-third of its Judge Advocates to advanced legal education programs.

Marine Judge Advocates uphold the same physical and leadership standards as all Marine Officers, applying their legal expertise to directly support military operations and improve the lives of Marines. This career path eliminates billable-hour pressures and offers meaningful, high-impact work without commercial constraints.

• Starting salary between $98,000–$140,000 (location dependent)
• Constructive credit for time spent in law school, resulting in accelerated pay and promotion timelines compared to newly commissioned officers
• Full health coverage, retirement benefits, and paid time off
• Expedited promotion opportunities
• Bonuses and funded education, including government-paid LL.M. programs
• Worldwide assignments
  , including California, Washington D.C., Hawaii, Japan, Korea, Spain, Italy, Germany, and more