Message from Major General Kenneth D. Gray, Chair, Military Lawyers Conference
Welcome to the webpage of the GPSLD’s Military Lawyers Conference! The MLC was created to provide benefits and services for military lawyers. The Division's newsletter, Pass It On, contains a military corner with case updates, military law news, resources on transitioning to civilian life, and information on professional development opportunities. Membership in the Military Lawyers Conference is free for GPSLD members.
I have been active in the American Bar Association since early in my legal career. After entering active duty in the U.S. Army Judge Advocate General’s Corps, my first assignment was as a defense counsel at Ford Ord, California. In 1970, I served as a defense counsel and command judge advocate in Vietnam. In 1971, I worked briefly as an assistant military affairs officer at Fort Meade, Maryland, before being assigned to the Personnel, Plans and Training Office, Office of the Judge Advocate General, Pentagon, as a personnel management officer.
After attending the JAGC Advanced (now Graduate) Course, I became an instructor and later the senior instructor at the Criminal Law division of The Judge Advocate General’s School in Charlottesville, Virginia. In 1978, I was assigned as the Deputy Staff Judge Advocate, 1st Armored Division, for two years. I then attended the U.S. Army’s Command and General Staff College in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. From 1981-84, I served as the Staff Judge Advocate for the 2nd Armored Division at Fort Hood, Texas. In 1984, I was assigned back to the Pentagon as Chief of the Personnel, Plans and Training Office, a position I held for three years. After attending the of the Armed Forces, at Fort McNair, Washington, D.C., I was assigned as the III Corps and Fort Hood Staff Judge Advocate.
I was promoted to brigadier general in 1991, and assigned as the Commander of the U.S. Army Legal Services Agency and the Chief Judge of the U.S. Army Court of Military Review. In 1993, I was promoted to major general and sworn in as The Assistant Judge Advocate General. Currently, I am the Vice President for Student Affairs at West Virginia University.
I joined the American Bar Association in 1972, when I was a Captain. I benefitted immensely from the Continuing Legal Education courses, the networking opportunities, the camaraderie, and the support of lawyers in all walks of life.
The American Bar Association and the GPSLD’s Military Lawyers Conference continue to provide strong support and a wide range of benefits that enhance the lives of lawyers both personally and professionally. We also offer timely publications, top-notch Continuing Legal Education programming, and online resources that support our members. Please consider joining our thriving group of military lawyers. We greatly appreciate the contribution of time and expertise of our members.
If you have any ideas, questions or comments please send them to me at [email protected]. We welcome your feedback and suggestions.