Christopher Simons J.D., Ll.M. Email & Phone Number

Conroe, Tx, Us

Los Fresnos, Texas, United States

Represent DHS in immigration removal proceedings before the Executive Office for Immigration Review, litigating removal cases, with an emphasis on those against terrorists, human rights abusers, and criminal noncitizens. Provide legal services to ICE programs and offices, including legal advice and prudential counsel to ICE personnel on their customs, criminal, and immigration law enforcement authorities.

San Antonio, Texas Area

U.S. Army South is a major command and the Army Service Component Command to U.S. Southern Command, responsible for assisting with implementation of theater security cooperation in 31 countries in Central and South America, and the Caribbean. Participated in working groups at each stage of the planning process. Assisted with the development and execution of exercises and contingency operations by ensuring fiscal compliance, allowance for applicable international agreements and adequate authorization under the rules of engagement and the rules for the use of force. Research pertinent international law and operational law issues to assist the Staff Judge Advocate, as required. Supervised two attorneys and a paralegal specialist.

Wiesbaden Area, Germany

Military legal advisor for the 66th Military Intelligence Brigade (Forward), a Multi-Component Theater Intelligence Brigade responsible for providing operational intelligence for U.S. European Command and U.S. Army Europe. Certified as an Intelligence Oversight Officer. Provided advice on intelligence law matters and operations to include military source operations, counterintelligence operations and investigations, biometrics, intelligence collection and analysis across the continent and in over 50 countries in Europe and Eurasia. I advised the Brigade Commander and Staff, Battalion Commanders and Company Commanders on all legal aspects of command including disciplinary issues, ethics, civilian labor law, investigations, administrative and fiscal law, and command regulatory requirements. Coordinated matters with Trial Counsel to ensure prompt and accurate execution of administrative and military justice actions involving the Brigade's Soldiers across Europe. Led, coached and developed the legal skill of 4 enlisted paralegal specialists.

Charlottesville, Virginia Area

This course prepares career military attorneys for future service in senior judge advocate positions, and the course requirements equal or exceed those of graduate programs at other law schools. I completed all Graduate Course requirements and received a Master of Laws (LL.M.) degree in Military Law. The course is conducted over an academic year totaling 10 months. Core courses consist of 25 credit hours in criminal law; administrative and civil law; legal assistance; international and operational law; government contract and fiscal law; professionalism development; and professional writing. Electives consist of 12 credit hours (including writing requirements). Wrote a 3 credit hour primer on Military Cyberspace Operations to satisfy the writing requirement.

Fort Belvoir, Va

Command Judge Advocate for the 1st Information Operations Command, the U.S. Army's focal point for Information Operations. Provided legal analysis on: cyber security law, international law, constitutional law, Electronic Communications Privacy Act (ECPA); and statutory interpretation. Also provided legal support in all areas of administrative, military justice, civilian personnel, fiscal, intelligence and operational law to Commanders and staffs at all levels; including briefing and advising investigating officers. Advised and developed legal policy for Vulnerability Assessment and Close Access Teams. Coordinated with NSA, OSD and Service General Counsel. Represented the command in courts-martial and administrative boards. Served as appointed Ethics Counselor and ensured command compliance with the Joint Ethics Regulation. Completed the Army Cyberspace Operations Planner Course (ASI N9) and the Information Operations Capabilities and Planning Course.

Fort Belvoir, Va

Principal law clerk to a three-judge appellate panel on the Army Court of Criminal Appeals, the Army's highest court. Opinions and orders become law and serve as precedent throughout the Army, and pursuasive authority for other service courts at the trial and appellate levels. Examined appellate briefs and trial transcripts, researched legal/factual issues presented, offered judges courses of action and recommendations for case disposition, and wrote bench memos. Critically evaluated government and defense motions, and recommended a disposition. Drafted initial court opinions and orders for judges. Edited court opinions and orders, ensuring content, style, legal, factual, and technical accuracy. Coordinated logistical matters and prepared judges for oral arguments and hearings, both at home station and at selected sites.

Arlington, Va

Represented the United States Government in court-martial appeals before the United States Army Court of Criminal Appeals (ACCA), the United States Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces (CAAF), and the United States Supreme Court. Responded to briefs and motions raised by appellate defense counsel and issues specified by the courts; conducted legal research; drafted appellate briefs, motions, pleadings, and other required documents; presented oral argument; and performed other assigned duties.

Fort Campbell, Ky / Iraq

Principal legal advisor to a Special Forces Battalion Commander, the Battalion Staff, four Company Commanders and 18 Operational Detachment-Alpha (ODA) Commanders on all legal issues to include operational/international law, intelligence oversight, human rights, domestic operational law, fiscal and administrative law, military justice and ethics. On two deployments, served as the Special Operations Task Force legal advisor. Provided legal guidance on the conduct of Direct Action missions, Foreign Internal Defense, and Advanced Special Operations in support of the Global War on Terrorism. Conducted continual training on the Law of Armed Conflict and the Rules Of Engagement, human rights, detention operations, military justice, and ethics. Trained Iraqi Special Operations Force members on Iraqi warrant procedures, human rights, detention operations, and prosecution based target development. Maintained proficiency in airborne operations by participating in unit parachute jumps.

Fort Hood, Tx / Iraq

Defense Counsel responsible for defending Soldiers accused of criminal offenses. Assigned to the largest Trial Defense Service office with a military population representing Fort Hood’s three general court-martial jurisdictions (III Armored Corps, 1st Cavalry Division, and 4th Infantry Division). Independently represented and advised Soldiers accused of both misdemeanor and felony offenses as lead counsel at all levels of courts-martial trials, as well as at administrative hearings, and conducted pre-trial investigations. While deployed, performed the same mission while traveling throughout Iraq and Kuwait, to represent Soldiers deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Fort Benning, Ga

Provided legal assistance and advice to servicemembers and their families in a variety of military and civilian law areas including: wills and estate planning; powers of attorney; domestic relations; child custody; separation agreements and divorce; traffic violations; consumer affairs; Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA); personal income tax and taxation; real and personal property matters; personal finances; negative performance evaluation rebuttals; rebuttals to assessments of financial liability; and various other administrative matters. Provided one-on-one education and counseling to enable clients to resolve their legal problems via negotiation, correspondence, and accurate record-keeping.

Juris Doctor (J.D.), Law

Activities and Societies: Student Bar Association officer; Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program volunteer

Master Of Laws (Ll.M.), Military Law

Activities and Societies: 63rd Graduate Course

167Th Judge Advocate Officer Basic Course, Military Law

Bachelor Of Arts (B.A.), With Distinction, Psychology

Activities and Societies: Tau Kappa Epsilon Fraternity, Rho Tau Chapter; Psi Chi Honor Society in Psychology.

Diploma, College/University Preparatory And Advanced High School/Secondary Diploma Program