• Log In

  • About MSJDN
    • Members
    • Committees
    • Leadership
    • Partners
    • Programs
      • Homefront Rising
      • Homefront to Hired
      • Making the Right Moves
    • Military Spouse JD Network Foundation
      • Justice for Military Families
  • Licensing
  • Events
    • Calendar
    • Annual Reception
    • Homefront Rising
    • Making the Right Moves
  • Blog
  • Join
    • FAQs
  • Post a Job
  • Directory
  • Shop
  • Contact Us
    • Press
  • Click here
  • Learn more
  • Search the directory
  • Read more

Our Mission

MSJDN supports military spouses in the legal profession by advocating for licensing accommodations for military spouse attorneys; educating the public about the challenges faced by career-minded military spouses and their families; encouraging the hiring of military spouses; and providing a network connecting military spouse attorneys with each other and their supporters.

The Military Lifestyle

Military families are geographically insecure, moving every two to three years, often with tours overseas. These moves are based on the needs of the U.S. government, and are mandatory for the service-member. Although the spouse and children may technically refuse to move, this creates obvious hardships on families already often separated due to training and deployments.

The Legal Profession

Attorneys are required to be licensed in each state where they practice, a burdensome requirement when combined with the military lifestyle. Licensing can take up to a year for the application, character review, bar examination, and processing. Licensing can cost thousands of dollars in each jurisdiction. Gaps in employment must be justified on bar applications and can cause delays in admission. All of this is in addition to the search for a new job at the next duty station.

What this means for MSJDN members

It is not unusual for military spouse attorneys to have taken 3 or 4 different bar examinations. Less than 1/3 of our members have full-time legal employment. Half of our members are unemployed and actively looking for work, under-employed in non-attorney positions as paralegals/secretaries, or can only find part-time work. MSJDN members report that the biggest challenge to finding and keeping employment is frequent moves and lack of portable employment opportunities.

Latest News

Making the Right Moves 2018 Recap: Sunny San Diego Edition

Last week, MSJDNers from both coasts and many points in between met in sunny...

Wyoming Enacts New Military Spouse Law Licensing Accommodation

By Kristen Jones, 2018-2019 MSJDN Treasurer-Elect This month we celebrate Wyoming as the 32nd...

Reflections on the 2018 ABA Annual Meeting: Part I

Please log in to view this content.

MSJDN Committee Updates

Please log in to view this content.

Join Our Mailing List

Share a Job Opportunity

Help a military spouse attorney find employment - share an open position on the MSJDN jobs board.

Post

Connect With MSJDN

MSJDN Attorney Index

directory Need an attorney? Find a MSJDN member near you!

Copyright © 2017. Military Spouse JD Network. All Rights Reserved. No Legal Advice Provided.