College of Law Student Sworn In to Marine Corps Judge Advocacy Program

Loyola University New Orleans College of Law student Maurice Williams, 2L, recently took the first step in his military career when he was officially sworn in to the United States Marine Corps Judge Advocacy Program. 

Judge advocates – commonly known as JAGs – provide legal representation to service members in a variety of legal matters.

The ceremony took place on Tulane University’s campus on March 13. Williams and Tulane Law student Jay Hansen were sworn in by Staff Judge Advocate to the Commandant of the Marine Corps Major General Christopher Tolar, a 1997 alumnus of the College of Law. The most senior legal officer in the branch, Major General Tolar oversees all Marine judge advocates and advises on military law, international law, and disciplinary matters under the Uniform Code of Military Justice.

This summer, Williams will attend officer candidate school in Quantico, Virginia, after which he will become an inactive member of the Marines. After he graduates from Loyola and passes the bar exam, he’ll attend basic training and the Naval Justice School before officially starting his military legal career as a judge advocate.

“It was surreal to finally get sworn in,” Williams said. “It’s been a long build up to this moment, and my decision to apply to the program was a leap of faith. So to be standing there taking my oath was nerve-wracking but also a relief. It’s the first step in my career.”

In law school, Williams is a student ambassador and was recently elected vice chair of the Southwest Black Law Students Association. He said that his interest in both attending law school and applying for the judge advocacy program came down to a unique opportunity to serve his fellow citizens and to get immediate experience litigating cases.

“I want to make sure that I can protect citizens in the military and their constitutional rights,” Williams said. “I want to be an advocate for people.”