Michelle Mathis Email & Phone Number

Norfolk, Virginia, United States

At Region Legal Service Office Mid-Atlantic (RLSO-Midlant).

Millington, Tennessee, United States

• While on short-term Active Duty orders in Dec '21 Feb '22, Mar '22, Dec. '22.:
• Reviewed proposed personnel decisions (promotions, continuations, TSGLI insurance claims, retirements, separations, BCNR petitions).
• Interpreted and applied Navy administrative law to determine whether or not the potential courses of action presented legal issues.
• Drafted opinion memos for consideration by senior decision-makers, namely, Commander, Navy Personnel Command.

Hampton Roads, Virginia Metropolitan Area

• At Defense Service Office Southeast (DSO SE), while a Reservist on Active Duty Orders:
• Advised and defended sailors facing discipline, punitive measures and separation from the military.
• Negotiated with their commands, fought to save their careers, or argued for them to receive a favorable discharge characterization at separation.
• Litigated these questions against the Navy at administrative hearings before three voting board members.
• Guided new JAG attorneys on case development, presentation and strategy.

Norfolk, Virginia, United States

• Assisted with the planning and execution of a change of command ceremony for the Deputy Judge Advocate General of the Navy for Reserve Affairs and Operations.
• Helped Senior Leadership track, manage and plan for the entire Navy JAG Reserve Community.
• Revised and updated the introductory employee handbook for new JAG Reserve personnel.

Newport News, Virginia

• Represented clients with criminal, personal injury, debt defense, immigration, divorce, child custody/support, protective order, conservatorship, property and landlord-tenant issues.
• Defended court-appointed criminal clients in Newport News General District Court.
• Drafted persuasive pleadings and motions, separation agreements and court orders.
• Simultaneously served as a Lieutenant Commander in the US Navy JAG Reserve Corps.

Norfolk, VA

• At Region Legal Service Office Mid-Atlantic (RLSO-Midlant), while a Reservist on Active Duty Orders:
• Counseled military members, their dependents, and retirees on estate planning, family, military and consumer law.
• Negotiated settlements and resolutions with opposing parties.
• Drafted wills, testamentary trusts, durable powers of attorney and living wills.
• Provided legal rights and benefits (SCRA/USERRA) presentations to deploying reservists.
• Appointed as the interim Assistant Department Head to fill manning gaps.

Hampton, VA

• Developed expertise in military divorce benefits (retirement division, survivor benefit plan, SGLI).
• Collaborated and learned from attorneys who had more experience in Virginia Criminal Defense.

• Performed every task that was required to open and run my own small business (advertising/networking, webpage design, client intake, case and file management, accounting, client trust accounts, complying with.
• Litigated civil and criminal cases independently and through all stages of General District and Circuit Court.

Newport, RI; Norfolk, VA; Washington, DC

• Represented military members facing criminal charges at courts-martial.
• Researched and answered substantive and procedural military justice questions.
• Analyzed trial court records and briefed potential legal errors for appellate judges.
• Applied FOIA and the Privacy Act to release military justice records to the public.
• Deployed with the USNS COMFORT and advised the medical command onboard.

Juris Doctorate, Cum Laude

Activities and Societies: Ultimate Frisbee

Bachelor Of Science, Chemistry

Activities and Societies: Springboard Diving Team

Study Abroad