The University of Miami School of Law has welcomed and supported veterans, and the alumni body includes hundreds of veterans and active-duty military who serve the United States. Memorial Day is a time to take a moment to thank those who have served and express gratitude.
Here are highlights of some of their stories and accomplishments:
James W. Crawford III, LL.M. '92, Master of Laws degree in Ocean and Coastal Law
Former United States Navy Vice Admiral and its 43rd Judge Advocate General and incoming president of Texas Southern University
Crawford holds a Master of Laws degree in ocean and coastal law from the University of Miami, newly rechristened as the LL.M. in Maritime Law. "I have the deepest respect for my professors and fellow students at the School of Law," said Crawford, one of a handful of Navy JAGs to complete the UM program. "I enjoyed being a' Cane and appreciated the school's commitment to excellence," he said in an interview.
He served in the United States Navy for over 30 years, retiring as a vice admiral and 43rd Judge Advocate General. He has served as the head of the Naval Legal Service Command, legal counsel to the Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman, and commander of NATO Rule of Law Field Support, Afghanistan. Crawford served under six Presidents and was Lead Counsel for the principal military advisor to Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama. He was a trusted voice for the National Security Council, the Homeland Security Council, and Secretaries of Defense Robert M. Gates and Leon Panetta. '
Jay Cristol, J.D. ‘59
Chief Judge Emeritus, U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Florida, and former Naval Aviator and Judge Advocate General
Cristol spent 18 years as a Naval aviator before joining the Judge Advocate General's Corps, where he graduated with distinction from Naval Justice School. Cristol then served as a lawyer for another 20 years, including teaching the law of war and serving as the administrative officer for the summer Naval Reserve law courses. As an alumnus, he has served as an adjunct faculty member and taught Reorganization in Bankruptcy, a seminar that studied principal issues raised by Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code. He also made a sizable donation to the School of Law, a gracious act for which went toward the school's bankruptcy clinic, which is now known as the Eleanor R. and Judge A. Jay Cristol Bankruptcy Pro Bono Assistance Clinic, and the three-time UM alumnus committed to create the Judge A. Jay Cristol Endowed Chair in Bankruptcy.
Theodore Massey III, J.D./LL.M. '12 in International Law
Staff Judge Advocate, Marine Barracks Washington
While at Miami Law, Massey was the founder and president of the Military Law Society, founder and editor-in-chief of the National Security and Armed Conflict Law Review and was involved in the Tenants' Rights Clinic. Massey was also a HOPE Fellow at Legal Services of Greater Miami, Military Legal Advocacy Project. He worked with the Military Legal Advocacy Project to assist disabled veterans from Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. Regarding that experience, he said, "My position at MLAP will be beneficial since I will help grow the client base of the organization and help educate the South Florida veterans about their rights to appeal." This past year, he has reached back to Miami Law and supported law students in the externship program.
Tricia Nicewicz, J.D. ’13
Associate Legal Counsel, F-35 Joint Program Office and Judge Advocate General, U.S. Army Reserve
While at Miami Law, Nicewicz (then Robinson) was the president of the Environmental Law Society, the Symposium editor for the National Security & Armed Conflict Law Review, and a student ambassador, and she was involved in the HOPE Public Interest Resource Center as a Miami Scholar. These experiences all contributed to her journey in the military. "I did my HOPE Fellowship between my first and second years of law school. I went to Namibia in Africa and worked with the Legal Assistance Centre of Namibia doing nuclear energy policy research. "While in Windhoek, Namibia, she assisted with a paper on the Namibian government's pending nuclear policy proposal, putting her in a unique position to observe the juxtaposition of human and environmental rights in a developing country. After graduating from law school, Nicewicz began working at the Navy Office for General Counsel.
Jordan Bayley Williams, J.D./LL.M. '22 in International Law
Lieutenant, U.S. Navy JAG Corps
At Miami Law, Jordan Bayley Williams participated in the International Moot Court Program and headed to the International Criminal Court for a competition. At the time, she said, "Being part of the ICC moot team and the only international moot court program in the country has been the most rewarding part of my law school experience. This program has prepared me for my future career with the United States Navy, both in the courtroom and as a legal advisor...[the program has] expanded my oral and written advocacy more than any other program at Miami Law."
Maxwell Zoberman, J.D. '22
Attorney and First Lieutenant, U.S. Marine Corps
Zoberman was a Public Interest Scholar and Human Rights Clinic Fellow at the law school and focused on human rights and trial advocacy. He recently shared, "The HOPE Public Interest Resource Center not only reminded me that there exists a robust network of practitioners dedicated to the betterment of their communities, but it also reminded me of why I fell in love with the idea of becoming an attorney in the first place. Thanks to the support and guidance from HOPE, I've been able to pursue my childhood dream of serving my country as a Judge Advocate in the United States Marine Corps."
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