Pentagon Chapter

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Contents

Message from the Chapter President
Calendar of Events
Chapter Newsletters
Recent Events

A Message from the Chapter President

Welcome to the Federal Bar Association Pentagon Chapter! One of the most active chapters in the association, Pentagon Chapter activities include:

Our monthly speakers series luncheon through which we meet and learn from the best lawyers and leaders in every area of military practice;
Our Pentagon Reception honoring the Department of Defense legal leadership. This annual event is held during the holiday season at the Pentagon Executive Dining Room. Through it we provide an opportunity for our Pentagon Chapter members — especially our junior officer members - to eat and speak in a casual setting with the judge advocates general and general counsel of each of our service branches, their deputies, and the Department of Defense general counsel.
A legal employment program titled Jobs for JAGS. Through this event we provide our Pentagon Chapter members an opportunity to see and hear recruiting officers and attorneys from federal and state government legal offices and private practitioners. Especially useful for judge advocates transitioning from active duty and Reserve Component members demobilizing from active duty recall.

This is just a sample of the monthly and other recurring events the Pentagon Chapter provides to be relevant and useful to our members; military and civilian, active duty and Reserve Component. We've been doing it since 1956! Please look at our calendar of events below for information on dates, times, and locations.

There are hundreds of lawyers deployed overseas in support of ongoing operations in the Global War on Terrorism. These lawyers, and the legal systems they are establishing in Afghanistan and Iraq are making real contributions to the world and to our security interests right here at home. I invite you to join the Federal Bar Association and Pentagon Chapter. Come meet, work with, and learn from the best!

Kathleen A. Duignan
Pentagon Chapter President

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Calendar of Events

February 21, 2008
DC, Capitol Hill, and Pentagon Chapter Happy Hour
Meet attorneys from the Hill, the agencies, and the private bar!
Time: 5:30–7:30 p.m.
Location: Captiol City Brewing Company, 2 Massachusetts Ave. NE (next to Union Station)
There will be complimentary appetizers and happy prices on drinks.
View Flyer

May 2, 2008
Jobs for Jags
Time: 8:00 am
Location: Army Navy Club, Washington, DC

May 8, 2008
Awards Dinner with the Judge Advocates
Location: Army Navy Country Club, Arlington, VA

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Chapter Newsletter

January 2007

October 2006

Recent Events

October 19 , 2007
2007 Appellate Advocacy Symposium
Sponsored by the Pentagon Chapter and the Judge Advocates Association
A 1-day seminar focusing on focusing on military appellate practice.
Location: Room 121, Hazel Hall (just off the atrium), George Mason University School of Law, 3301 Fairfax Drive _ Arlington, Virginia
Cost: $50 per person includes continental breakfast. T
Registration: The deadline for registration is 0001 on 17 October 2007. View flyer and agenda for more information.

May 24, 2007
Reception at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces
Sponsored by the Pentagon Chapter
An end-of-year reception for military judges, counsel, and practitioners at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces. This is an opportunity for military judges, counsel, and other interested persons to meet informally in a casual setting to celebrate the end of the CAAF oral argument season.
Refreshments and light hors d'oeuvres will be provided. Suggested attire is civilian casual. The reception is open to everyone with an interest in military justice.
Location: U.S. Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces, 450 E Street, NW, Washington, DC
Time: 3 p.m.

May 4, 2007
Jobs for JAGs
Sponsored by the Pentagon Chapter, with contributions from the D.C. Chapter, the Federal Career Service Division, the Judge Advocates’ Association, and the American Bar Association.
Location: Army & Navy Club, Washington, DC

This year’s event completed an annual Pentagon Chapter tradition of providing this program, which has continued for more than a decade. Although originally designed for the retiring JAG, this year’s program continued the recent trend of appealing to both junior attorneys considering their civilian careers options, as well as senior military attorneys retiring and making the transition from active-duty service to civilian or government practice, as well as other alternative careers where a law degree is preferred. The event was a complete success and attracted a sellout crowd. The current President of the Pentagon Chapter, Kathleen A. Duignan and the President of the Federal Bar Association, William LaForge, opened the day’s events. Attendees and speakers came from around the United States and included top attorneys from the Department of Justice and other government agencies, law firm associates and senior counsel from private practice, and law professors and non-profit attorneys. Additionally, private resume, interview, and wardrobe consultants were on hand to share tips and insights on finding employment. Many of the panelists were retired or former judge advocates and shared their hard-earned tips on selling one’s skills as a JAG to government employers, law firms, and corporations. The luncheon speaker was Colonel Donald A. Deline, USA (ret.) of the Halliburton Corporation.

(Pictured from left to right, FBA Pentagon Chapter First Vice-President Immediate Past President, CDR Jeffrey C. Good, USCG (ret.), FBA Pentagon Chapter Treasurer and President-Elect Major Teresa Raymond, USA, and current FBA President Bill LaForge.)

April 25, 2007
Using Historical Narratives to Enhance Your Litigation Skills
Co-sponsored by the Judge Advocates Association American Inn of Court and the Pentagon Chapter
Speaker: Chief Judge Andrew Effron, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces.
Location: U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. Dinner will be in the historic "Tayloe House," followed by a presentation at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit.
Registration: Download flyer with more information.

May 4, 2007
Jobs for JAGs
Sponsored by the Pentagon Chapter, D.C. Chapter, and the Federal Career Service Division
Location: Army & Navy Club, Washington, DC.
This full-day event is designed for junior and senior military attorneys transitioning from active duty to civilian or government practice. The seminar will feature panels of top attorneys from the Department of Justice and other government agencies, as well as from private practice and industry, to share tips and insights on finding employment. Many of the panelists are retired or former judge advocates and will share their tips on selling your skills as a JAG to government employers, law firms, and corporations. The luncheon speaker will be MG William K. Suter, USA (Ret.), Clerk of the U.S. Supreme Court.
or more information, contact CDR Jeff Good at (202) 372-3805.

December 7, 2006
Department of Defense Legal Leadership Reception
Open to everyone with an interest in military law.
Time: 4:30-6:30 p.m.
Location: Pentagon Executive Dining Room, Room 3B1062
Cost: Free, but RSVPs are required.
Registration: RSVP to Brian Bohlen, chapter secretary, Richard.Bohlen@hqda.army.mil, (703) 588-6724, or RSVP online. Download flyer.

December 12, 2006
Holiday Party
Sponsored by the Pentagon and District of Columbia Chapters of the Federal Bar Association
Time: 5:30 – 8 p.m.
Location: Sine Pub and Restaurant, 1301 S. Joyce Street, Arlington, Va., 703.415.4420, (located in the plaza section of the Pentagon Row behind the Fashion Centre in Pentagon City, off the Pentagon City metro stop)
Cost: Chapter will pay for the first round of hors d’oeuvres; Cash Bar
Registration: Open to all FBA members and their guests. Contact Silvio Krvaric, silvio@krvaric.com. (No RSVP required.)

On October 19, the Pentagon Chapter held its monthly speaker series luncheon featuring Arnold J. Haiman, deputy general counsel of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). The luncheon was held at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces. USAID is the principal federal agency which administers U.S. foreign aid. USAID’s mission includes promoting peace and stability by fostering economic growth, protecting human health, providing emergency humanitarian assistance, and enhancing democracy in developing countries. Haiman discussed some of the challenges the U.S. currently faces around the world, the military’s role in international humanitarian relief efforts, and the interplay between civilian and military agencies in international relief and development efforts. Haiman is a former Coast Guard and Navy judge advocate, and was acting general counsel of USAID from June 2005 to October 2006.

Pentagon Chapter: At the Monthly Speaker Series Luncheon on International Development. (first row, l to r) featured speaker Arnold J. Haiman, deputy general counsel, U.S. Agency for International Development; Chief Judge Andrew Effron, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces; (second row, l to r) Kathleen Duignan, chapter president-elect; Adam Bester, chapter law student representative; CPT Teresa Raymond, chapter treasurer-elect; FBA President-Elect James Richardson; CDR Jeffrey Good, chapter president.

Arnold J. Haiman, deputy general counsel, U.S. Agency for International Development, delivering his remarks at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces.

May 4, 2006
On May 4 we held a special ceremony honoring Chief Judge H.F. "Sparky" Gierke of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces. Chief Judge Gierke was appointed to the Court of Appeals in 1991 and will be completing his 15-year term on Sept. 30, 2006. The event was held at CAAF and we were honored to have many distinguished jurists present, including each of the sitting CAAF judges, Chief Judge William Green of the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, Judge Royce Lamberth of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, Judge Bill Colwell from the Department of Labor, Judge Michael Leonard from the Defense Office of Hearings and Appeals, and Appellate Judges from each of the service courts. Carol A. Connolly, on behalf of our immediate past president, Sean M. Connolly, presented Chief Judge Gierke with an Army JAGC Flag, in honor of the Judge's past service as an Army JAG. On behalf of the chapter, I presented the Chief Judge with an embroidered Pentagon Chapter golf shirt, which hopefully will serve him well in future endeavors. The Chief Judge offered some comments reflecting on his lifetime of public service, which included presiding over more than 500 courts-martial in the Republic of Vietnam as an Army JAG. Judge Royce Lamberth, who practiced before then-Captain Gierke, shared a photo of the Chief Judge taken in 1970 in Vietnam. In all, it was a fine occasion to thank Chief Judge Gierke for his many years of service to the nation and to the men and women of the armed forces.

Left to Right: Administrative Law Judge William Colwell, FBA National Vice President James Richardson, Chief Judge H.F. "Sparky" Gierke, Pentagon Chapter President Jeffrey Good, Judge Royce Lamberth, Judge Andy Effron, and Chief Judge William Green.

Judge Royce Lamberth shows Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims Chief Judge William Green Jr. a photo of then-Captain "Sparky" Gierke, taken in 1970 when CJ Gierke was serving as a military judge in the Republic of Vietnam.

April 28, 2006
The annual "Jobs for JAGs" seminar attracted a record turnout of 76 participants. This year's seminar featured three panels representing various practice areas, along with special presentations on "Marketing Yourself for a Second Career" by Col Jerry Crews, USA (Ret.), of MOAA, and "Resumes & Cover Letters" by Attorney Search Consultant Sadie Madole. Many of the speakers were former or retired JAGs, such as Maj. Thomas Monheim, USAFR, associate deputy U.S. attorney general; CAPT Peter Frost, JAGC, USNR, director of the Aviation & Admiralty Litigation Section of DOJ; Colonel Frank Pedrotty, ANG (Ret.), senior assistant attorney general for the Commonwealth of Virginia; Whit Cobb, deputy general counsel & vice president, BAE Systems Inc.; and Col Keith Sefton, USMC (Ret.), deputy general counsel of NASA. MG William Suter, USA (Ret.), Clerk of the U.S. Supreme Court, was once again featured as the luncheon speaker. A special thanks to Pentagon Chapter members Judge William Colwell (ALJ, Dept. of Labor), CDR Kathleen Duignan, USCGR (Exec. Director of the Nat. Institute of Military Justice), LTC Marsha Sajer, USA (Ret.)(Kirkpatrick & Lockhart Nicholson Graham, LLP), and MG Michael J. Nardotti, USA (Ret.)(Patton Boggs, LLP), for participating as panelists.

MG William K. Suter, USA (Ret.), clerk of the U.S. Supreme Court and Pentagon Chapter President Jeffrey C. Good.

On March 15 we, together with the Judge Advocates Association American Inn of Court, hosted a well-received dinner program featuring Senator Lindsey O. Graham, of South Carolina. The program included dinner at the historic Tayloe House, followed by a presentation by Senator Graham in the ceremonial courtroom of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. Over 70 people attended, including many leaders of the military and veteran's bar, including Maj. Gen. Jack Rives, judge advocate general of the Air Force; RADM James McPherson, judge advocate general of the Navy; Judges Moorman and Kasold from the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims; BG David Carey, USA (Ret.), executive director of the American Inns of Court Foundation; and Brig Gen Edward Rodriguez, Jr. USAFR (Ret.), president-elect of the Judge Advocates Association. Senator Graham reminisced about some of his experiences as an Air Force JAG, and shared his thoughts about current events affecting the military and on the relationship between uniformed and civilian attorneys in the Department of Defense. We thank Senator Graham for joining us for this unique event. We hope to host similar such joint projects in the future.

On Dec. 8, 2005, members and friends of the military and veterans bar gathered for the Pentagon Chapter’s Annual Department of Defense Legal Leadership Reception at the Pentagon. The reception honored the legal leaders for their dedicated service, support, and leadership in 2005.
Thanks to the co-sponsorship and support of the Federal Career Service Division of the Federal Bar Association and the Judge Advocates Association, the 2005 reception was the most successful one yet with more than 120 guests in attendance, including: the general counsel of the Department of Defense; many of the service judge advocates general and military department general counsel; Judge Andrew Effron and Judge Chip Erdmann of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces; Judge Alan G. Lance Sr. and Judge Robert N. Davis of the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims; Judge Royce Lamberth of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia; Robyn Spalter, president of the Federal Bar Association; Bill LaForge, president-elect of the Federal Bar Association; Jim Richardson, vice president of the Federal Bar Association; Lawrence Baca, secretary of the Federal Bar Association; Matt Moreland, chair of the Younger Lawyers Division of the Federal Bar Association; Rear Admiral (Ret.) Gerald E. Gilbert, JAGC, USNR, past president of the Federal Bar Association; Luis Nido, former general counsel of The Federal Bar Association and the Foundation of the Federal Bar Association; Warren Burke, president, Capitol Hill Chapter; Pat O’Keefe, president, New Orleans Chapter; Karl Schneider, president, Judge Advocates Association; and Brigadier General Ed Rodriguez, USAFR, president-elect, Judge Advocates Association.
The Pentagon Chapter was especially honored and delighted by the attendance of Judge Griffin B. Bell, senior counsel, King & Spalding, LLP, and former attorney general of the United States. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld designated Judge Bell to serve as a review panel member for Military Commissions in December 2003.
Outgoing Pentagon Chapter President Captain Sean M. Connolly turned the chapter over to the new executive board at the reception: Commander Jeff Good, U.S. Coast Guard, president; Captain Gregory Marchand, USAR, first vice president; Captain Scott Flesch, USAR, second vice president; Major John Taitt, USAFR, treasurer; Captain Brian Bohlen, USAR, secretary; and Captain Sean M. Connolly, national delegate and past president.

1. Outgoing Pentagon Chapter President Captain Sean M. Connolly with Judge Griffin B. Bell, senior counsel, King & Spalding, LLP, and former attorney general of the United States.
2. Luis Nido, former general counsel of the Federal Bar Association and the Foundation of the Federal Bar Association, and others listen to the presentation.
3. Pentagon Chapter officers with FBA President Robyn Spalter: John Taitt, treasurer; Captain Sean M. Connolly, national delegate and past president; Robyn Spalter FBA national president; Commander Jeff Good, president; and Greg Marchand, first vice president.
4. Commander Jeff Good, Pentagon Chapter president and Lawrence Baca, FBA secretary.
5. Judge Royce Lamberth, U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, Major General Daniel V. Wright, the assistant judge advocate general of the Army; Captain Sean M. Connolly, outgoing Pentagon Chapter president, Major General Scott C. Black, the judge advocate general of the Army; Carol A. Connolly, assistant attorney general for the District of Columbia

On Nov. 10, 2005, the Pentagon Chapter sponsored its Monthly Speaker Series Luncheon, featuring Judge Alan G. Lance Sr., U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims. The November Luncheon, in honor of Veterans Day, was co-sponsored by the Veterans Law Section.
One of the newest members of the court, Judge Lance discussed the court’ history, jurisdiction, and operations before an audience in the foyer of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces. Attendees included Chief Judge H.F. “Sparky” Gierke and Judge Andrew S. Effron of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces, Judges Robert N. Davis and William A. Moorman of the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, and Jim Richardson, national Vice president of the Federal Bar Association.
Congress created the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims under Article I of the Constitution by the Veterans’ Judicial Review Act on Nov. 18, 1988. This federal court is not part of the Department of Veterans Affairs and it is not connected to the Board of Veteran’s Appeal (BVA). The Court can review final decisions of the BVA and only the claimant may seek such review. Most cases deal with entitlement to disability or survivor benefits, or the amount of those benefits, but a few deal with education benefits, life insurance, home loan foreclosure, or waiver of indebtedness. The court’s seven judges are appointed by the President, and confirmed by the Senate, for 15-year terms.
Prior to his confirmation to the court, Judge Lance served as Idaho’s 31st attorney general from 1995 to 2003. He also served on the executive committee of the National Association of Attorneys General and as chair of the Conference of Western Attorneys General. Before his election as attorney general, Judge Lance served two terms in the Idaho House of Representatives and was elected majority caucus chair during his second term.
After graduating from the University of Toledo College of Law, where he was a member of the Law Review and named Distinguished Alumnus in 2002, Judge Lance began his professional legal career as an assistant prosecuting attorney for Fulton County, Ohio and later served in the United States Army, Judge Advocate General’s Corps from 1974 until 1978.
In addition to his impressive legal and public service career, Judge Lance has spent many years of his life devoted to veterans’ organizations and issues. In 1998, he received the Distinguished Service Award from the National Association of State Veterans Homes for his service to veterans. He served as national commander of The American Legion during 1999-2000 and he received the Humanitarian Award from the American Legion Auxiliary in 2000 for his work with veterans, active duty military personnel, and their families. Judge Lance was also inducted into the Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame last November.
Read more about Judge Lance.

First Row (l to r): Chief Judge H.F. “Sparky” Gierke, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces and Judge Alan G. Lance Sr., U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims; Second Row (l to r): Brian Bohlen, Pentagon Chapter secretary; Alan Goldsmith, Pentagon Chapter national delegate; Judge Robert N. Davis, U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims; Judge William A. Moorman, U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims; Judge Andrew S. Effron, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces; Commander Jeffrey Good, Pentagon Chapter vice president; Captain Sean M. Connolly, Pentagon Chapter president; Carol Scott, Veterans Law Section chair; Scott N. Flesch, Pentagon Chapter vice president; and Greg Marchand, Pentagon Chapter representative.

Judge Alan G. Lance Sr., U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims address the Nov. 10, 2005 Monthly Speaker Series Luncheon.

Captain Sean M. Connolly, Pentagon Chapter president, and Judge Alan G. lance Sr., U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims

Captain Sean M. Connolly, Pentagon Chapter president, introduces Judge Alan G. Lance, U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims.

Chief Judge H.F. “Sparky” Gierke, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces speaks with Judge Robert N. Davis and Judge William A. Moorman of the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims.

September 1, 2005
On September 1, the Pentagon Chapter’s Monthly Speaker Series Luncheon, co-sponsored by the D.C. Chapter, featured Jamie Gorelick, a partner at Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale & Dorr LLP and a member of the Pentagon Chapter.
Almost four years after the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, Gorelick spoke to an intimate group over lunch at the U.S. Court of Appeals in Judiciary Square about her service as a member of the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States (the “9/11 Commission”), offering a “bird’s-eye” view into the investigatory process and the progress following the publication of “The 9/11 Commission Report.” Attendees included Chief Judge H.F. “Sparky” Gierke and Judge Andrew S. Effron of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces and Jim Richardson, national vice president of the Federal Bar Association.
Congress created the 9/11 Commission with direction to investigate “facts and circumstances relating to the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001” (Public Law 107-306, November 27, 2002). The commission reviewed more than 2.5 million pages of documents and interviewed more than 1,200 individuals in ten countries in that pursuit.
Gorelick brought extensive government and corporate experience to her work on the 9/11 Commission. She was one of the longest serving deputy attorneys general of the United States and she also served as the general counsel of the Department of Defense. Gorelick has been on numerous government boards and commissions. In addition to her service on the 9/11 Commission, she was a member of the CIA’s National Security Advisory Panel and has previously served on President Bush’s Review of Intelligence, President Clinton’s Advisory Committee to the Presidential Commission on Critical Infrastructure Protection, and many others. She is also a member of two corporate boards, United Technologies Corporation and Schlumberger, Limited and previously served as vice chair of Fannie Mae from 1997 to 2003.
You may read more about Ms. Gorelick at www.wilmerhale.com/jamie_gorelick/

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