Our Commitment to Diversity
The Navy JAG Corps seeks to maintain robust demographic and experiential diversity, for we believe the broadest representation of viewpoints and talents strengthens our collective ability to identify and pursue solutions. As the Navy community most closely associates with the administration of justice, we must best exemplify the force and the nation we serve. To learn more about this commitment, review the Chief of Naval Operations Diversity Policy.
Shelby L. Hladon
CDR, JAGC, USN
Executive Officer, Region Legal Service Office Northwest
“One of the best things about the JAG Corps is that you get to try a variety of different jobs and meet a variety of people,” said CDR Shelby Hladon. “From the courtroom in Florida to desks in Italy and California to sea on any number of ships and even a tent in Korea to a classroom at the War College to a desk in Washington State — these places, experiences and the people who I have met have made my time in the JAG Corps amazing.”
A native of Cheyenne, WY, CDR Hladon obtained a BA in Political Science from UC Santa Barbara and attended law school at the University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law. She also holds a MA in National Security and Strategic Studies (with Distinction) from the Naval War College, Newport, RI. Hladon initially joined the JAG Corps to gain courtroom experience. "I realized that there is life outside the courtroom and that the Navy is more than just the JAG Corps and being a lawyer," said Hladon.
Abe Tarr
LN1, JAGC, USN
Trial Paralegal
“Being in the JAG Corps is a unique experience because of the work that we handle on a daily basis, especially in my current position,” said LN1 Abe Tarr. “Only in JAG Corps can you deal with all legal aspects of an international incident in a day’s work. Also, the JAG Corps is a close knit group of professionals and, at day’s end, the defense and prosecution still has dinner together. Being new to the Corps, I could not have chosen a better way to start my journey.”
LN1 Tarr was born and raised in Paynesville, Liberia in West Africa. He attended and graduated from Watkins Mill High School, Gaithersburg, MD. He joined the Navy as a personnel specialist and transferred to legalman after attending the Naval Justice School. LN1 Tarr joined the JAG Corps because of the emphasis on education.
James Mills
LCDR, JAGC, USN
Aide to the Deputy Judge Advocate General for Reserve Affairs and Operations
“My best experiences in the JAG Corps have involved the opportunity to study and practice international criminal law,” said LCDR James Mills. “Growing up overseas and being of Japanese descent, I developed a strong interest in international relations and focused my academic studies on comparative legal systems. The Navy in general and the JAG Corps in particular have allowed me to apply my formal education to the actual practice of international law. My most meaningful experiences took place during my deployment to Baghdad to assist with the prosecution of the most senior members of the former Iraqi regime for genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity. In addition, I had the opportunity to work with the Japanese criminal justice system on a number of serious felony cases that had the potential to impact international relations with one of our most important allies. These are the types of experiences that make the Navy JAG Corps so unique and rewarding to me.”
LCDR Mills was born in Bremerton, WA and spent most of his childhood living in Japan and the Philippines. He attended Vanderbilt University on a Navy ROTC scholarship and graduated with a B.S. in Political Science (magna cum laude). Mills served as a Surface Warfare Officer for five years and was selected for the Navy Law Education Program. The U.S. Navy sent him to Georgetown University Law Center to obtain his J.D.
Charlotte E. Cluverius
LT, JAGC, USN (Reserve Component)
Legal Assistance Attorney
“Teaching was something I had always wanted to do,” said LT Charlotte Cluverius. “The JAG Corps allowed me to teach law at the United States Naval Academy. Having the opportunity to teach constitutional law, law of war, rules of engagement, and military justice to future junior officers was an experience I could not have had outside the JAG Corps. That assignment was truly an honor.”
LT Cluverius’ father was with the Foreign Service so she split her childhood between the Middle East and Annapolis, MD. She graduated high school from the American International School in Israel and went on the attend undergrad at Connecticut College. She attended law school at Chicago-Kent College of Law. After graduation, she decided she liked the diversity of practice the Navy JAG Corps offered and became a judge advocate. After serving five years on active duty, LT Cluverius joined the reserve JAG Corps. She is currently on an extended active duty assignment in Washington, D.C.
Chad Bayse
LT, JAGC, USN
Trial Counsel
“Practicing law in San Diego is an experience that I have enjoyed immensely in the JAG Corps,” said LT Chad Bayse. “I enjoy exploring Southern California on my road bicycle and I am frequently awed by the ideal climate and topography of the region. In my spare time, I enjoy watching San Diego Padres baseball games from my apartment balcony, which overlooks Petco Park.”
LT Chad Bayse earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Carleton College. While in college, he served as a White House intern, fielding media calls in the Vice President’s press office. He pursued his legal studies at William Mitchell College of Law. Following law school, he served as a law clerk at the Minnesota Court of Appeals. He then entered private practice as a litigation associate at a Twin Cities firm before he was selected to receive a direct commission in the JAG Corps. He joined the JAG Corps to continue a family tradition of naval service, to gain meaningful litigation experience, and of course serve his Country.
Chris Phan
LT, JAGC, USN (Reserve Component)
Defense Counsel
“The depth of professional and life experience that I received in the JAG Corps equals or surpasses what many will experience in a lifetime,” said LT Chris Phan. “I tried cases immediately when I started my career as a defense counsel in Earle, NJ. In my spare time, I watched numerous Broadway shows and had lots of fun in Manhattan. Sadly, I also witnessed the 9/11 tragedy from our pier. However, I was blessed to be able to provide assistance since our base was so close to Ground Zero.”
LT Phan was born in Vietnam and later moved to the United States. He attended Carmel High School in Indiana, and went on to pursue an undergrad degree at Indiana University and a J.D. at Southern Illinois. Phan explained that joining the JAG Corps was the best decision he made in his life. “Only in America, where a kid who grew up in a third world country, who did not know English and immigrated to the United States at age 10, can have a life like this,” said Phan. After serving five years on active duty, he joined the reserve JAG Corps. Phan serves, on average, one weekend each month and two weeks per year in uniform. His civilian job is an assistant counsel at the Navy Office of General Counsel.
Jennifer Sikes
LN1, JAGC, USN (Reserve Component)
General Paralegal
“Most rewarding to me is the support I am able to provide to military members and their families prior to their mobilization,” said LN1 Jennifer Sikes. “I go to different Navy Operational Support Centers throughout the year and help shipmates solve legal issues that would normally cost them a lot of money in the civilian world — money that they may or may not have. Knowing that we’ve helped alleviate stressful legal problems for our Sailors, and seeing the relief come across their faces when they’ve resolved their troubles is a truly rewarding thing.”
Originally from Grants Pass, Oregon, LN1 Sikes graduated from Western Business College in Portland, Oregon. Her civilian job is as a regulatory manager and paralegal for a small competitive local exchange telecommunications company in Hubbard, Oregon. LN1 Sikes wanted to contribute the same skills she was using as a civilian to the Navy as a legalman. She serves, on average, one weekend a month and two weeks a year in uniform.
Patricia Leonard
Attorney, JAGC Civilian
Director, Claims and Tort Litigation
“The most professionally rewarding experience for me was selection by the Judge Advocate General to testify before the House Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations of the Committee on Energy and Commerce in June 2007,” said Ms. Patricia Leonard. “The Subcommittee was investigating the allegations of Marine Corps and Navy misconduct and cover-up of water contamination at Camp Lejeune North Carolina in the early 1980’s. The Claims and Tort Litigation Division has 1300 tort claims resulting from these allegations.”
Originally from Northboro, Mass., Ms. Leonard attended St. Michael’s College in Burlington, Vermont and went on to obtain her J.D. at Western New England College School of Law. She spent four years on active duty with the JAG Corps to get as much litigation experience as possible. She returned to Boston for two years before she was hired in the Claims and Tort Litigation section of the Office of the Judge Advocate General.
Lauren McDowell
Paralegal, JAGC Civilian
Tort Claims Unit Norfolk
“The best experience I have had in the JAG Corps was the opportunity to join the JAG team through the student program,” said Ms. Lauren McDowell. “I was working in a large law firm in North Jersey and applied for the position. Within a few weeks of accepting the position, I moved to Norfolk, Virginia without a doubt in my mind. Once I came on board, I quickly realized that this was a great decision. I am proud to be a member of the JAG Corps and I look forward to the opportunities to grow as a professional.”
Originally from Cinnaminson, NJ, Ms. McDowell graduated from Cinnaminson High School and obtained a B.S. in Criminal Justice from York College of Pennsylvania-Graduation. She is currently attending Argosy University Online Program to obtain a Forensic Psychology Masters. She joined the JAG Corps to gain legal experience as an employee of the government.
Ray Wolcott
LT, JAGC, USN
Operations Officer, Office of the Judge Advocate General
“My tour in Iraq was, hands down, the most challenging, exciting and rewarding experience of my career thus far,” said LT Ray Wolcott. “I got to do things that I never thought I would be doing when I started law school; I got to teach Law of Armed Conflict and Rules of Engagement to thousands of Marines, provide real-time legal advice during airstrikes, and oversee detainee operations in an area the size of South Carolina. Compare that to the average responsibilities of a young associate at a civilian law firm. More importantly, I had the privilege of being part of a team that made a real difference. During our deployment, the level of violence plummeted within our area of operations and life began to improve for the Iraqi people – children began going back to school, markets and restaurants reopened in cities up and down the Euphrates and the local court system was finally getting back on its feet. The JAG Corps gave me the opportunity to be a part of that and to use my legal degree to support the individual Sailors and Marines who made it happen.”
LT Wolcott’s father was an Army officer, so he moved around quite a bit when he was young, but eventually settled in Rockville, MD, which is what he considers his “hometown.” He obtained a B.A. in Spanish at Clemson University and his J.D. from University of Maryland School of Law.
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