University of Virginia School of Law students with military backgrounds, and those who will serve after graduation, find friends, support and future colleagues in Virginia Law Veterans.

Among the student organization’s 28 members are veterans, reservists, active-duty personnel and students on ROTC educational delay who will serve in the military upon graduating. The group’s current members have served or plan to serve in the Air Force, Army, Marines and Navy.

Eli Sinai
Eli Sinai

“Virginia Law Veterans offers those who served, or plan to serve, a community within the Law School where those of us with shared experiences can support each other as we embark on our legal careers,” said Eli Sinai, a former naval aviator and VLV president. 

Sinai said the group provides social event programming, alumni and professional networking, and service to the greater veteran community. 

“When I arrived at UVA, the first thing I did was connect with the Virginia Law Veterans,” he said. “I immediately found my tribe, and I'm proud to say we've only grown stronger in our friendships and in our resolve to make not only our organization but the entire Law School a better place for veterans in the future. We pride ourselves on our continuing commitment to our country and to advocating for veterans from all walks of life who are in need of legal support.”

In addition to Virginia Law Veterans, incoming students are drawn to the school’s National Security Law Center and the neighboring U.S. Army Judge Advocate General’s Legal Center and School, which offers classes to UVA Law students (JAG and military officers can also take UVA Law courses). The service members also have one of their own on the faculty — Professor Thomas B. Nachbar is a judge advocate in the U.S. Army Reserve and currently serves as associate dean of the JAG School. 

Because the University of Virginia is a public university, veterans and current service members attending UVA Law may be eligible to have their full cost of tuition and fees covered under the Post 9/11 GI Bill. Several UVA Law students who have served have been named Tillman Scholars in recent years, including Kirk Wolff ’26. The scholarship program is named in honor of Pat Tillman, the NFL player who, in response to the Sept. 11 attacks, enlisted in the Army and was killed in 2004 while serving in Afghanistan. 

In honor of Veterans Day, five students from the military community who are VLV members share their experiences.

Erik Briggs ’26

Erik Briggs

Tell us about your service.

I served a little over 10 years in the U.S. Air Force as an explosive ordnance disposal technician. This job entails rendering safe any variety of explosive devices (bombs, grenades, improvised explosive devices, etc.). In my career, I did extended training in Texas and Florida. I was stationed in Georgia and South Korea, and I was deployed once to southwest Asia.

Why law school?

I became interested in law from a combination of my coursework while studying international relations at the University of Central Florida and from some of the work I was doing in the military. I began to research what lawyers do and realized that a lot of it was very intriguing to me. Law is interesting to me both intellectually and because of its practical use in facilitating processes we all rely on and appreciate.

What’s next for you?

I am excited to say that I will be working as a summer associate with Willkie Farr & Gallagher in New York next summer in the corporate/transactional practice group. I hope to receive a return offer and build my practice with them in New York after graduation.

Do you have advice for other vets considering law school?

Make sure that you take a true audit of expenses in preparation for law school, and then add about 50% to that. There are always things that you will forget, and it is better to be prepared for the unexpected. Make sure that you also have your life in order. Nothing, even a career in the military, quite prepares you for how little time and mental capacity you will have your first year of law school. Try to have as much lined up as possible to simplify your day-to-day life. Also, find something that you enjoy doing that you will truly be able to find time for during law school. Everybody needs something, but nobody has time to do everything they like.

Kelsey Frizell ’26

Kelsey Frizell

Tell us about your service.

I grew up in a family with a rich history of service, so the military was always a visible path. It wasn’t until my junior year of high school that I decided to embark on the lengthy journey of applying to service academies. I graduated from the United States Military Academy in 2020 and was commissioned as a quartermaster officer, where I served in various leadership and support roles. My first assignment took me to Germany, where I spent three years in the 21st Theater Sustainment Command supporting operations in U.S. Army Europe and Africa. I was responsible for bulk petroleum distribution and heavy equipment transport where I had the amazing opportunity to work with community and NATO partners throughout the Schengen Area. As my time in the Army progressed, I felt a strong pull toward the legal field, which led me to apply for the Army’s Funded Legal Education Program (FLEP) in hopes of transferring to the JAG Corps.

Why law school?

The most rewarding aspect of my service has been assisting service members and their families. During my time in Europe, I had the opportunity to work closely with judge advocates who practiced everything from international law to direct legal services. I was fascinated by the significant impact of their work on individuals and the organization as a whole. Their ability to guide service members through some of the most complicated and pivotal situations in their lives truly inspired me. At that point in my career, I found myself at a natural transition, and received immense support from my command team to apply for FLEP and pursue a legal education. It felt like the most logical next step in my life and career — transitioning to a role focused on serving others and pursuing justice.

What’s next for you?

Upon graduation and admission to the bar, I will serve as a judge advocate in the United States Army JAG Corps.

Do you have advice for other vets considering law school?

The transition from service to a legal education is a more natural one than you might assume. Your military background brings unique perspectives and skills that can enrich your legal studies. Use these experiences to your advantage in applications and discussions. Look for law schools (like UVA!) that have strong veteran support programs. Some schools offer resources specifically for veterans, including mentoring, networking opportunities and financial aid. Pursuing law school can be a rewarding journey, and your military experience will undoubtedly contribute to your success. Good luck!

Bo Jackson ’27

Bo Jackson

Tell us about your service.

I graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 2019 and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Marine Corps, [then] was selected to be a field artillery officer and was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 11th Marines in Twentynine Palms, California. During my time there, I deployed twice. My first deployment was to Darwin, Australia, as platoon commander, leading 40 Marines and sailors and three M777 howitzers. When I returned, I became the battalion fire support officer for 3rd Battalion, 4th Marines, responsible for planning and directing the battalion’s mortar, artillery, naval gunfire and aircraft fire support. During my time in that role, I was deployed to Okinawa, Japan, for six months. My final role in the Marine Corps was as the assistant operations officer for the Marine Corps Logistics Operations Group. In that role, I helped instruct Marine logisticians in supporting artillery units.

There isn’t much margin for error when trying to hit a target over 10 miles away with multiple hundred-pound projectiles near friendly troops. The high pressure was nerve-racking at times, but what got me through it was my fellow Marines. It’s kind of cliché to say that the people are the best part of the Marine Corps, but it is absolutely the truth. The women and men I served with are some of the best people I’ve ever met.

Why law school?

About two years ago, when it came time to decide whether to stay in the Marine Corps or transition to civilian life, I told myself that if I chose to leave, it had to be for the right reasons. One of the most rewarding aspects of being a Marine officer was helping people. Within the regimented, hierarchical structure of the Corps, junior Marines sometimes struggle to navigate the system, whether for pay, immigration, marital or other issues. It was incredibly fulfilling to help them resolve these challenges. I want to continue that kind of work as a lawyer. People try every day to live good lives but sometimes fall short or encounter circumstances beyond their control. As a lawyer, I want to help people navigate those challenges.

What’s next for you?              

Finals. After that, I plan to get more involved in pro bono projects here at the Law School. I’ve participated in one project so far (albeit in a very small way), helping with paperwork to allow an Afghan family to obtain special immigrant visas. I hope to help more in the future.

After law school, I’d like to move to Washington, D.C., and join a litigation practice at a firm. That’s still a long way off, though. Right now, I’m focused on my studies and exploring which career paths resonate with me the most.

Do you have advice for other vets considering law school?

If you’re still in the service, recognize that deciding to stay in or get out is significant and shouldn’t be taken lightly. Law school is an option-expanding choice, so don’t feel like you need to know exactly what you want to do as a lawyer right now — that will likely evolve anyway. Do, however, know your “why.”

Know that you are prepared, and don’t sell yourself short. Your experiences are unique and give you an edge. Stay focused on the purpose behind your transition and use it as fuel during challenging moments. Law school is tough, but so are you.

Kevin Norris ’27

Kevin Norris

Tell us about your service.

I completed eight years in the Navy as a submarine officer. I spent two years on the USS Columbus in a shipyard repair period, and I completed a deployment on the USS Cheyenne in 2018. The remainder of my time was spent as an engineer at the Navy’s Nuclear Power Training Unit and as an instructor at the Nuclear Power School in Charleston, South Carolina.

Why law school?

There are many perks to being a submariner, but one of the downsides is that eventually you must go back out to sea. The idea of spending months apart from my family did not appeal to me, so I decided to transition to a new career. I believe in the value of public service, and a career in the law is a path to continue serving my country in a new way. 

What’s next for you?

I am leaning toward continuing my public service as an attorney for the federal government, but I’m also open to exploring other opportunities through summer internships.

Do you have advice for other vets considering law school?            

UVA has been great to me and my family. The veteran community here is an excellent resource, but it will only stay that way with new members in each class. So come join us!

James Pierrelouis ’26

James Pierrelouis

Tell us about your service.

I served in the United States Army as an intelligence analyst at Fort Liberty, North Carolina, previously known as Fort Bragg, for four years. I was assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division, where I worked closely with command teams, providing intelligence briefs on what was happening in our area of operations and giving possible courses of action to achieve success on our missions. While I enjoyed my role as an intelligence analyst in the Army, I loved most the relationships I built with the many individuals I served with. The Army had a way of bringing people from all over the world together with many different personalities that share a common, distinct trait of selfless service. In my belief, that particular trait brought and kept us together during some of the more challenging and longer days.

Why law school?

I decided to pursue law school for the same reason I enlisted in the Army: serving others. During my time in the Army, I was able to serve the American people by fighting against any threat to our country. However, I now want to fight to provide more significant opportunities for marginalized communities, and I believe a law degree gives me a pathway to do so.

What’s next for you?

To continue to take as many tax courses as possible. Since starting law school, I have become fascinated by tax law and its impact on our economy. Tax is exceptionally challenging, and a tax attorney’s guidance can make or break a business or a family’s finances. Therefore, I hope to become a tax attorney advocating for policy changes to improve our economy and facilitate growth in marginalized communities. Furthermore, this upcoming summer, I will be working at a big firm in Wilmington, Delaware, hoping to gain more exposure to tax law.

Do you have advice for other vets considering law school?

Consider UVA Law. Our law school creates a collegial atmosphere similar to what I felt while serving in the military. Most importantly, I would say that the same commitment and work ethic that you displayed while serving our country is what you would need to succeed as a law student. No, there is not any physical training while in law school; however, learning how to read and analyze many complex cases takes time and training, and just like in the military, not every day is fun. You will also have some not-so-fun days in law school, but that’s when the commitment kicks in, and you push through with the support of your peers and the University staff.

Founded in 1819, the University of Virginia School of Law is the second-oldest continuously operating law school in the nation. Consistently ranked among the top law schools, Virginia is a world-renowned training ground for distinguished lawyers and public servants, instilling in them a commitment to leadership, integrity and community service.

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