what being a marine lawyer entails

by Nikki Dicki 9 min read

What Is A Maritime Lawyer

Admiralty law

Admiralty law or maritime law is a body of law that governs nautical issues and private maritime disputes. Admiralty law consists of both domestic law on maritime activities, and private international law governing the relationships between private parties operating or using ocean-going ships. While each legal jurisdiction usually has its own legislation governing maritime matters, the international nature of th…

? A maritime lawyer is an attorney who specializes in laws that pertain to navigable waters. As with any attorney, a maritime lawyer must earn a law degree as well as pass the bar exam.

You will research and write internal memoranda and opinions and advise commanders on all legal issues affecting the command – from fiscal law to government ethics and risk management. You will also work closely with Marines and their families on Family, Consumer, Tax, Estate, and Immigration Law issues.

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What is it like to be a marine lawyer?

You learn about military law, including the Uniform Code of Military Justice, criminal law and procedures, trial advocacy, operational law, and administrative law. As a Marine lawyer, you are one of approximately 400 JAG officers worldwide.

What is the highest rank for a marine lawyer?

The highest rank for a Marine lawyer is captain, with a top annual salary of $72,468. Though it appears that private practice is more lucrative, Marine JAG officers receive additional allowances and benefits that bring their salaries within a competitive range of private-sector salaries.

What is the job description of a lawyer?

A lawyer is someone who is licensed to practice law, and whose obligation it is to uphold the law while also protecting their client's rights. Some duties commonly associated with a lawyer include: providing legal advice and counsel, researching and gathering information or evidence, drawing up legal documents related to divorces,...

What does a Judge Advocate General do in the Marines?

When the Marine Corps handles internal legal matters, it turns to a a group of specially trained Marine lawyers, called the Judge Advocate General's corp. These attorneys work on various legal matters, including criminal cases, environmental concerns and maritime law. While the general base pay for these lawyers is less...

What do Marine lawyers do?

A Maritime Lawyer is an attorney that specializes in maritime injuries and boating accidents that occur in both recreational and commercial maritime activities.

What is a lawyer in the Marines called?

Marine Corps judge advocatesMarine Corps judge advocates, or JAs, are licensed attorneys who are also commissioned officers in the Marine Corps.

Can you be a lawyer in the Marine Corps?

There are several different programs that the Marine Corps uses to select Marine lawyers, but the majority of candidates commission as Marine Corps officers through the Platoon Leaders Course – Law. This program is for individuals who have been selected as officer candidates, but have not yet graduated from law school.

Does Marines pay for law school?

WILL THE MARINE CORPS PAY FOR LAW SCHOOL? Although programs do exist whereby active duty Marine officers are ordered to attend law school, drawing full pay and allowances while tuition is paid by the Marine Corps, no similar program is available to officers who enter the Marine Corps via the OCC(LAW) or PLC(LAW).

What branch of the military is best for lawyers?

The JAG Corps is the legal branch of the military, concerned with military justice and military law.

How hard is it to become a Marine JAG?

The initial JAG training can also be difficult for attorneys with families. Training begins with approximately six weeks of officer training focused on leadership skills and military tactics and then approximately ten weeks of JAG school (Marine JAG training is significantly more rigorous).

Is being a JAG worth it?

By becoming a JAG, you are guaranteed a career that has rotating assignments by location and practice area, exposing you to the world and the law in ways you could have never imagined. It provides unrivaled practical and hands-on experience to springboard your career.

How much does a JAG make in the Marines?

Judge advocates earn the title “Marine,” while using their legal expertise in support of America's finest. The salary for this position varies based on location, but is generally between $60,764 and $85,848 upon completion of entry-level training, and up to $101,799 after two years of service.

Does Navy JAG pay for law school?

‐ Funded Graduate Education: As part of the culture of learning that the Navy JAG Corps fosters, Navy judge advocates have the opportunity to earn a Master of Law (LL. M.) degree fully‐funded by the Navy.

What benefits do you get after 4 years in the Marines?

Newly enlisted Marines can earn promotions based on job performance. For example, pay increase benefits you get after four years in the Marines, put you at about $2,714 per month at the rank of E-4, compared to $2,330 to $2,582 for less time in service at the same rank, according to 2021 pay tables.

Will the military send you to law school?

And the Army is willing to pay the law school tuition, with the help of the Funded Legal Education Program (FLEP). Officers selected for FLEP attend a civilian law school of their choice, for three years of legal studies, while remaining on active duty with full pay and benefits.

Do JAG lawyers get deployed?

Yes, JAGs do get deployed to areas all over the world. JAGs serve as legal advisers to military commanders and have many responsibilities, including providing legal opinions on whether military actions comply with the laws of armed conflict to prosecuting or defending service members in courts martial.

What rank is a JAG lawyer?

RANK AND PAY RATES New Army Judge Advocates enter service as First Lieutenants (O-2) and are promoted to Captain (O-3) six to nine months later. Officers receive a raise in basic pay upon promotion to Captain and receive automatic pay increases after serving 2, 3, and 4 years.

Is there a Marine JAG?

MARINE JUDGE ADVOCATES. Marines who serve as Judge Advocates are responsible for upholding the law, codes and values of the Marine Corps. These specially trained legal professionals can work in roles where they represent both individual Marines and the Corps to fight and win battles at every court level in the Nation.

How much does a JAG make in the Marines?

Judge advocates earn the title “Marine,” while using their legal expertise in support of America's finest. The salary for this position varies based on location, but is generally between $60,764 and $85,848 upon completion of entry-level training, and up to $101,799 after two years of service.

What is an e8 in the Marine Corps?

Master sergeants (E-8) and master gunnery sergeants (E-9) provide technical leadership as occupational specialists in their specific MOS. The sergeant major of the Marine Corps is the senior enlisted Marine of the entire Marine Corps, personally selected by the commandant.

What do maritime attorneys do?

The types of activities that maritime attorneys may conduct include trying cases in court, drafting documents, negotiating agreements and handling complaints about injuries or illnesses caused by various types of marine vessel or sea craft, as well as companies dumping hazardous waste into the sea.

What do maritime lawyers need to know?

Additionally, a maritime lawyer needs to know the specifics regarding marine insurance, marine pollution, and employee compensation (Jones Act), to name a few. Maritime lawyers even need to know foreign corruption and understand anti-bribery provisions as set forth by the United States Department of Justice.

What is maritime law?

law as well as international laws. These laws provide the rules that govern torts, injuries, contracts and any type of offense that occurs near a body of navigable water, on a body of navigable water or in a body of navigable water.

What are the causes of maritime accidents?

The vast majority of accidents that occur on maritime vessels are slip and fall injuries. In fact, this type of injury makes up a little over 40% of all maritime injuries, according to OSHA. ...

Is maritime injury compensation the same as workers compensation?

Compensation Claims for a Maritime Injury. A maritime injury claim is similar to a workers’ compensation claim, the only difference is that a maritime injury settlement tends to be a lot larger by comparison. This is due to the fact that working on a vessel puts workers at a much higher risk than many other works.

Maritime Lawyer

Any problem related to an incident or situation at sea, on a waterway or during the voyage of a ship will likely require the services of specialist legal professionals.

Roles

An average working week for a Maritime Lawyer can cover a variety of different cases ranging from checking paperwork for the loading and unloading of a ship, to courtroom battles for criminal negligence cases.

Future

Because ships travel to all parts of the world, maritime law is international in nature and positions are available around the globe.

What is the role of a marine lawyer?

In terms of daily activities, the role of a Marine lawyer is not much different from that of a civilian lawyer. You conduct legal research, write briefs, prepare clients for trial, and handle post-trial actions.

What is the job growth rate for marine lawyers?

The BLS forecasts a 6 percent job growth rate for attorneys through 2028. This projection may bode well for opportunities for lawyers in the Armed Forces.

What is a Marine JAG?

Marine JAG Job Description. As a Marine lawyer, you have your own caseload. You advise Marines on legal matters and, according to the Marines Judge Advocate Division, most likely begin your career as a prosecutor or defense counsel in military courts-martial. In terms of daily activities, the role of a Marine lawyer is not much different from ...

How many times can a Marine change duty station?

A Marine officer can expect to change duty station five times on average during a 20-year career. By living and working in different places, including locations outside the U.S., a Marine lawyer gains a broad range of experiences.

What Is the JAG Corps?

The JAG Corps is the legal branch of the military, concerned with military justice and military law. The chief attorney in each branch is the Judge Advocate General, and those under him or her are considered to be Judge Advocates. These individuals both defend and prosecute military personnel, using the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ).

The UCMJ

The UCMJ is a detailed body of law that has governed the U.S. armed forces since 1951. The UCMJ was modestly updated in 2008, to incorporate changes made by the President (via executive orders) and to include the National Defense Authorization Acts of 2006 and 2007.

How Does One Join the JAG Corps?

There are two main paths lawyers may take to join the JAG Corps. The first is for law students to apply to the JAG Corps upon completion of law school. Applicants must have passed the bar exam, and must be prepared to enter Officer Training. The second path is for licensed and experienced attorneys to join the armed forces.

Army

Entry into the Army JAG Corps (founded by George Washington in 1775) occurs through Direct Commission. Commissioned individuals enter the Judge Advocate Officer Basic Training Course, which is split into two phases. The first is the Direct Commissioned Course (DCC) Phase--a six-week basic training for JAGs in Fort Benning, Georgia.

Navy

To become an officer in the JAG Corps in the Navy, this branch of the military must offer hopefuls a commission, after which time they enter Officer Development School (ODS), where they receive the rank of Ensign, and their active duty pay and benefits begin.

Air Force

The Air Force has four different entry programs into the JAG Corp. The first is the student option, where candidates apply as either a 1L or 2L, and commit to completing Active Duty as a member of the JAG Corps after graduating law school and passing the bar. The second program entails licensed attorneys directly entering the JAG Corps.

Marine Corps

There are two ways to enter the JAG Corps as a Marine. The first is the PCL-Law program --the Marine Corps equivalent to the student entry program. Students complete the ten-week Officer Candidate School in Quantico, Virginia, either during the summer before law school, or the 1L or 2L summer.

What are the duties of a lawyer?

A lawyer has several duties which go beyond the basic court trial. Researching information, drafting documents, mediating disputes and providing counsel to clients about their legal rights are just some responsibilities involved depending on the area of law.

What does an animal lawyer do?

An animal lawyer will advise clients, research cases, review and prepare legal documents, conduct depositions, create pet trusts, argue cases in court, file class action lawsuits and a variety of other duties. They may also publish case studies in journals dedicated to the study of animal law.

What is a bankruptcy lawyer?

Bankruptcy Lawyer. A bankruptcy lawyer assists individuals or organizations that make legal declarations stating their inability to pay their creditors. Understanding the process and filling out the bankruptcy forms can be daunting.

What does a criminal lawyer do during trial?

During trial, the criminal lawyer will advocate for the defendant and argue motions (motions to dismiss or motions to suppress), and also argue appeals - all motions and appeals need to be drafted and filed by the lawyer in advance. Accident and Personal Injury Lawyer.

How many hours do lawyers work?

A lawyer can work in a law firm, private company, or even work for state as a public defender or for the prosecution. Most attorneys work 50-80 hours per week, including weekends. The newly hired attorneys usually serve as clerks in charge of researching information and aiding in preparation for upcoming trials.

What is legal separation?

In the case of legal separations, a divorce lawyer will grant the separation in the form of a court order (a legal separation is a process by which a married couple may formalize a separation while remaining legally married). When there are children involved, a divorce lawyer will help set the terms for child support and child custody.

What is tort law?

This type of lawyer tends to practice primarily in the area of law known as tort law, and provides legal service to those who claim to have been injured as a result of the negligence of another person or entity.