West Point Department of Law and Philosophy

West Point Transforms to Address Future Warfare Challenges WEST POINT, N.Y. – As the battlefield continues to rapidly evolve, the U.S. Military Academy at West Point has launched two transformations to prepare g...

🌟 Saying goodbye to our incredible barista extraordinaire, Ms. Jen! ☕️💕

Ms. Jen, the heartbeat of our days at West Point, you’re more than a barista—you’re a miracle worker! You set the example for cadets with your no-nonsense, yet calm under extreme pressure attitude as you single handedly handle 20 orders at a time. You know each of us by name and exactly what we need. 🙌

As you depart on 1 July, we’ll miss your warm smile and the perfect cup of coffee. As you know, lawyers ❤️ coffee, and you have been a daily source of our fuel☕️📚

How will our Department Head survive his pumpkin spice latte cravings in the 100-degree summer heat without Ms. Jen’s secret stash of fall🍁 goodness?😅

Wishing you all the best on your new journey, Ms. Jen! Thank you for making our mornings brighter and our coffee breaks unforgettable. You’ll always have a special place in our hearts and our caffeine-fueled memories. ❤️

The Department of Law had a pleasure of having Mr. Harris Heit, Vice President (Strategy) of Visimo, showcasing an AI-driven decision support system for our cadets in the Advanced Law of Armed Conflict course. Visimo has been developing this system as an oversight tool for military legal advisers in the future battlefield. The Lieber Institute for Law and Warfare has been privileged to assist Visimo in this innovation and thanks Professor Eric Jensen for the expert advice he has been providing in his capacity as Senior Fellow of the Lieber Institute.

📢 From 22-24 March, Cadets Minas Macos, Nana Sarpong, and Olivia Kittle showcased their legal prowess at the Clara Barton International Humanitarian Law Competition at the American Red Cross Headquarters in Washington, D.C. 🌟 These Cadets impressed renowned legal scholars with their insights into complex issues in the law of armed conflict! 💥 USMA triumphed over thirteen law schools and the Air Force Academy to secure a spot as a semifinalist. 😮‍💨 🎯Cadet Macos stood out, earning an individual advocacy award—one of just 4 competitors to receive this recognition. 🏅 We couldn’t be prouder of our law dawgs for representing USMA and the Department of Law with excellence! 📚 🇺🇸

Judge Gregory Maggs of the Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces (CAAF) provided a guest lecture to the cadets in the Advanced Constitutional Law elective. Judge Maggs covered the methodology for determining the original meaning of the U.S. Constitution. During the class, cadets explored aspects of NFIB v. Sebelius and Printz v. US through the lens of the original meaning of the Constitution.

On 21 October 2023, COL Winston Williams had the honor of serving with a distinguished group of Judges for the final round of the inaugural Brigadier General Wayne E. Alley Military Law Moot Court Competition. Law students from fourteen schools competed in this competition. The final round took place at the Army Court of Criminal Appeals. Congrats to the participants in the final round from Texas Tech University School of Law and Wake Forest School of Law.

DLaw’s own Dr. Jennifer Maddocks and CPT Mattie Kotlik participated in the Catholic Health Suffolk County Marathon and Half-marathon (respectively) to support our veterans. The race took the pair over the Great South Bay bridge in Long Island, New York and back. Dr. Maddocks achieved a qualifying time for the Boston marathon and CPT Kotlik achieved a personal record in the half-marathon!

🏛️West Point Mock Trial Shines at Wildcat Invitational!

Over the Columbus Day Weekend, the West Point Mock Trial team made their mark at the Wildcat Invitational hosted by the University of New Hampshire, where teams from across New England converged for a battle of wits and persuasion.

⭐️We are thrilled to recognize three exceptional
LAWDAWGS who stood out: ⭐️

🔵Aaron Hoff, Class of 2024 (Cadet in Charge)
🔵Daniel Forlines, Class of 2024
🔵Benjamin Baumgardner, Class of 2024

Our team showed their legal prowess and eloquence, with impressive individual achievements:

🏆CDT Aaron Hoff earned the "Outstanding Attorney" award.
🏆CDT Nail Forlines was honored with the "Outstanding Witness" award.
🏆CDT Knox Watson was crowned the "Best Witness" of the entire tournament!

Overall, our team's dedication and skill paid off, earning us an Honorable Mention and a Fourth-Place finish for the tournament.🏅

We want to give a special shoutout to Cadet Devon Pawlack, Class of 2026, who serves as the ACIC, contributing to our success behind the scenes.
Go Army Mock Trial! West Point - The U.S. Military Academy Dean of the Academic Board-West PointU.S. ArmyWest Point AdmissionsUNH Mock Trial
West Point Parents

Faith Riccobene + DLAW + parachute team = 🏆 💪🏽👌🏽👍🏽🚁🪂🎯🏅

It’s Game Day! Follow along with @faithriccobene as she shows us what an @armywp_football Saturday looks like at @westpoint_usma from the perspective of @usma_parachute team 🪂 - Follow along ->>> IG Stories! • • • #TheCorpsStartsHere

LAW DAWG Lily Schur leading the way!

Spirit Luncheon 🎉🎊 An unforgettable day at West Point's Spirit Luncheon on September 7th! The atmosphere was electric as the crowd ignited with the Rocket led by our Superintendent and the Rabble Rousers. 🤸🏾‍♂️Cadet band 🎼serenaded us with their incredible tunes, setting the perfect vibe. The DLAW faculty made a grand entrance as judges, complete with gavels and 'white powder wigs'! ⚖️
Caught in action:
The 61st Superintendent Lieutenant General Steven W.
Gilland hypes up the crowd and challenges the West Point
Middle Schoolers to "eat all the cookies and brownies!"
Women's Soccer head coach Tracy Chao celebrates the great start to the Women's Soccer season and invites everyone out to watch, what ended up being and AMAZING ARMY WIN! A header at the 89th minute! The dark clouds came in to delay the game, but that just made it the perfect black night for the Black Knights! ⚽️⛈️
'Court is now in session' the Honorable 'Chief Judge' Wellman, 'Judge' LTC Chiaramonte, and 'Judge' Maj Wood.
‘Dirt Man' ( (secret identity believed to be COL
Benjamin Wallen) and 'Judge' Maj Wood.

🎉Spirit Luncheon⚽🏉 An unforgettable day at West Point's Spirit Luncheon on September 7th! The atmosphere was electric as the crowd ignited with the Rocket led by our Superintendent and the Rabble Rousers. 🥁 Cadet band serenaded us with their incredible tunes, setting the perfect vibe. 💼 The DLAW faculty made a grand entrance as judges, complete with gavels and 'white powder wigs'! 👩‍⚖️ Caught in action: 📸 61st Superintendent Lieutenant General Steven W. Gilland hypes up the crowd and challenges the West Point Middle Schoolers to "eat all the cookies and brownies!" 📸 ⭐ Women's Soccer ⭐ head coach Tracy Chao celebrates the great start to the Women's Soccer season and invites everyone out to watch, what ended up being and AMAZING ARMY WIN! A header at the 89th minute!⭐ The dark clouds came in to delay the game, but that just made it the perfect black night for the Black Knights! 📸'Court is now in session' the Honorable 'Chief Judge' Wellman, 'Judge' LTC Chiaramonte, and 'Judge' Maj Wood. 📸 'Dirt Man' 🌎(secret identity believed to be COL Benjamin Wallen) and 'Judge' Maj Wood. @dean.usma @westpoint_usma @armywp_wsoccer @dlaw_prof

✈️ The Law Department is off to an exhilarating start this year!
We kicked off with a bang during reorgy week as our dedicated cadet groups took center stage to present their awe-inspiring summer experiences to our Department Leadership. Law Dawgs 🐕 had the privilege of immersing themselves in the heart of high-profile government offices throughout the United States. We had cadets at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, The Army Judge Advocate General's office, the Secret Service, and the United States Supreme Court!
But that's not all - the Law Dawgs had experiences around the globe! 🌎 They embarked on incredible journeys across continents. Some undertook an unforgettable AID through the southern States, exploring the history and legacy of Civil Rights on the Civil Rights Staff ride. Others traveled throughout Europe visiting unforgettable sites as part of the European War crimes AID. Another group traveled throughout Asia and experienced different perspectives on the Far East War Crimes AIAD. Each of these experiences lead to a change in perspective of all of those involved!
As the first week of classes unfolded, the entire Law Department and our passionate Law Dawgs came together for an electrifying discussion. The energy in the room was palpable as we delved into the highlights of the summer and the exciting prospects the upcoming year holds.
Let's keep the momentum going, Law Dawgs!
This year promises to be a journey of growth, knowledge, and remarkable achievements. Stay tuned for all the incredible updates and adventures that lie ahead!
A special thank you to all the Donors who made this possible!
(Individual emails and letters have gone out to each donor)

🚀 The Law Department is off to an exhilarating start this year! ✨ We kicked off with a bang during reorgy week as our dedicated cadet groups took center stage to present their awe-inspiring summer experiences to our Department Leadership. Law Dawgs had the privilege of immersing themselves in the heart of high-profile government offices throughout the United States. We had cadets at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, The Army Judge Advocate General's office, the Secret Service, and the United States Supreme Court! But that's not all – the Law Dawgs had experiences around the globe! 🌍✈️ They embarked on incredible journeys across continents. Some undertook an unforgettable AIAD through the southern States, exploring the history and legacy of Civil Rights on the Civil Rights Staff ride. Others traveled throughout Europe visiting unforgettable sites as part of the European War crimes AIAD. Another group traveled throughout Asia and experienced different perspectives on the Far East War Crimes AIAD. Each of these experiences lead to a change in perspective of all of those involved! As the first week of classes unfolded, the entire Law Department and our passionate Law Dawgs came together for an electrifying discussion. 🔥📣 The energy in the room was palpable as we delved into the highlights of the summer and the exciting prospects the upcoming year holds. Let's keep the momentum going, Law Dawgs! 🐾📅 This year promises to be a journey of growth, knowledge, and remarkable achievements. Stay tuned for all the incredible updates and adventures that lie ahead! 🌠🎉 A special thank you to all the Donors who made this possible! (Individual emails and letters have gone out to each donor) @dean.usma @westpoint_usma

Far East update. The cadets were hosted by Japan’s Ground Self Defense Force’s Judge Advocate General, Major General K. Shinomura. MG Shinomura talked to the cadets about the importance of the US and Japan relations and the difference between the US and Japan JAG Corps. After the meeting, the cadets were treated to lunch with several of the General's staff members.

Far East AIAD UPDATE #1. The cadets met with the Army Attache, U.S. Embassy, and the Assistant Attache, U.S. Embassy, to discuss the strategic importance of the INDO-PACIFIC region and how history and culture plays a role in international relations. The officers then introduced the group to one of their favorite Ramen spots and joined the team for lunch.

The West Point Civil Rights Staff Ride is an intensive 3-credit course (and AIAD) that examines contemporary issues in civil rights through history. It includes one week of classes and two weeks of travel. This year the West Point Department of Law collaborated with the Air Force Academy and is taking 12 Cadets through the Deep South to meet with people that directly participated in the 1960s civil rights movement and those that continue to fight for the same today. (Photo: USMA and USAFA Cadets & Faculty at the Tuskegee National Historic Site.) Dean of the Academic Board-West Point West Point - The U.S. Military Academy U.S. Air Force Academy

Department of Law faculty members lead four West Point Law Cadets through the Far East Academic Individual Advanced Development (Far East AIAD). In Tokyo, they received a private tour of Japan’s Ministry of Defense’s historic Ichigaya Memorial Hall, accompanied by the Assistant Army Attaché, U.S. Embassy. The Ichigaya Memorial Hall was constructed for Japan’s Ministry of War Army Cadet School in 1937 and used as Japan’s Ministry of War during WWII. In the months following the end of the War, it served as the trial chamber for the International Military Tribunal for the Far East, also known as the Tokyo Trials. The cadets gained an understanding of how different nations understand and prosecute violations of the law following the end of conflict. This starts the Far East AIAD on its journey to appreciate the history of the region and how events that occurred nearly 100 years ago still impact the international legal landscape today. West Point - The U.S. Military AcademyDean of the Academic Board-West PointWest Point Department of LawWest Point Association of GraduatesGo Army Beat Navy

This morning, the Department of Law hosted its first section of cadet-candidates participating in USMA’s Summer Leadership Experience (SLE). These brave rising high school seniors were put on the spot to conduct a mock criminal trial before judge CPT Christian Burne, Assistant Professor of Law. West Point - The U.S. Military Academy Dean of the Academic Board-West Point Go Army Beat Navy West Point Department of Law West Point Admissions

West Point Law Department Majors, led by LTC Chris Malis and MAJ (UK) Charlie Coventry, conducted their first engagement on the European War Crimes Study Academic Individual Advanced Development (AIAD). The team met with LTC Rob Michaels, U.S. Foreign Exchange Officer to Poland; LTC Anthony Lenze, Chief of National Security Law for US Army Europe & Africa; and the Polish General Command Legal Office. The Cadets received a briefing on war crimes committed in Poland during and after World War II, an overview of the Polish Ministry of Defense, and the military assistance missions to Ukraine. West Point - The U.S. Military AcademyWest Point Association of Graduates Dean of the Academic Board-West Point U.S. Army Europe and Africa

2023 Civil Rights Staff Ride begins in the classroom! Armed with a 13-page syllabus cadets experience 12-hours of classes, 14-hours of "group homework" sessions during Grad Week before departing on the 2-week Staff Ride. @dean.westpoint_usma @civilrightsstaffride2023 @wpaog @archieelam @westpointlaw @usafa

On 23-24 March, cadets and faculty from the Department of Law participated in a workshop on the “Legal Roles and Responsibilities Concerning Large-Scale Combat Operations.” This event was convened by The Harvard Law School Program on International Law and Armed Conflict (HLS PILAC), the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), and the Lieber Institute for Law & Warfare. This workshop provided an excellent forum in which to share views from military, humanitarian, diplomatic, and academic perspectives on select law and policy issues concerning these Large-Scale Combat Operations.

The Department of Law is thrilled to report the tremendous performance from West Point's Law of Armed Conflict (LOAC) Team during this week's 2023 International Humanitarian Law Competition for Military Academies in Sanremo, Italy. The international competition garnered 81 cadets from 21 military academies representing 11 countries. Among them: The Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, The École spéciale militaire de Saint-Cyr (FRA), The Royal Thailand Military Academy, The U.S. Naval Academy, and The U.S. Air Force Academy. Cadets Logan Doyle (co-captain), Benjamin Ryan (co-captain), Benjamin Lockey, Kai Youngren, Christian Litton, and Caroline Maurer performed magnificently throughout the rigorous week. The competition's format placed the Firstee law majors in 2-3 person teams with cadets from other academies.

The mixed teams were dispersed throughout four separate Joint Operations Centers (JOC). As "JOC LEGADs," they faced challenging legal questions based on a fictitious (yet realistic) armed conflict scenario. Judges evaluated the cadets as individuals and teammates based on their knowledge of LOAC, communication, teamwork, and practical guidance. Cadets Doyle and Lockey earned second and third place honors in the individual category. Cadets Doyle, Youngren, Litton, and Lockey earned awards in the mixed-team category as well, showing off their teamwork with international cadets.

While there was not a "top academy” category, it was clear that the Law Dawgs were seen as leaders and experts. Beyond their sterling performance during the competition, the team handled themselves with the utmost professionalism and collegiality during the competition's many cultural exchanges. They certainly carried the torch for West Point's international reputation for leadership and character.

The USMA Law Dawgs congratulate Georgetown and Texas Tech Schools of law for making it to the championship round of this year’s Clara Barton International Law Competition! In their last round today, Cadets used their charm and legal wits to battle American University School of Law. West Point - The U.S. Military Academy Dean of the Academic Board-West Point U.S. Army

The USMA Law Dawgs took on Navy in the art of oral advocacy in the third round of the annual International Committee of the Red Cross Clara Barton Competition—both teams demonstrating the dedication to international humanitarian law that unites us. West Point - The U.S. Military Academy International Committee of the Red Cross United States Naval Academy Go Army Beat Navy

Professor Nasu from Lieber Institute joined a panel on Space Operations & Russia's War in Ukraine to discuss the law of neutrality and its relevance to third-party commercial space support in armed conflict. The panel was part of the 3rd USSPACECOM Legal Conference, presented by the USSPACECOM Office of the Staff Judge Advocate and the Law, Technology, and Warfare Research Cell at the US Air Force Academy.

🪶 and a ⚔️!

We are so proud of this Law Dawg! 🥇 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏆

USMA Dean launched the West Point Press today, the publishing arm of The U.S. Military Academy. Highlighted is the first publication “The Concept of Security in International Law” written by DLAW professor Dr. Hitoshi Nasu. This book explores how the concept of security interacts with the rigid framework of international law to test the hypothesis that the system of public order among states is regulated under the rule of law. 👏🏼 👏🏼

On December 8th the Department of Law bid farewell to The Honorable Janice R. Brown. Judge Brown is a former US Circuit Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit and prior to that an Associate Justice of the California Supreme Court. The Department of Law had the honor of hosting Judge Brown at the United States Military Academy where she served as a visiting lecturer teaching Cadets enrolled in Advanced Constitutional Law. Judge Brown (right) was presented with a Tar Bucket by Colonel Williams (left).