Region Legal Service Office Midwest (RLSO MW) hosted Lake County State's Attorney Mr. Michael Nerheim, aboard Naval Station Great Lakes, Ill., on April 29, 2016.
Nerheim was accompanied by First Assistant State's Attorney Mr. Jeff Pavletic and Assistant State's Attorney and Head of the Special Victims and Investigations Division Mr. Fred Day. Nerheim, Pavletic, and Day began their visit as guests for Recruit Graduation at Recruit Training Command. They were accompanied by two first tour judge advocates, Lt. j.g. Tayler Haggerty and Lt. j.g. Titus Hattan, and the RLSO MW Liaison Officer to Lake County State's Attorney's Office, Lt. Kyle Doherty-Peters. In addition to the graduation ceremony, Nerheim and his colleagues received a tour of Battle Stations, observed a capping ceremony, and attended a reception for honor graduates and their families.
Recruit Graduation provided Nerheim, Pavletic, and Day unique insight into the Navy's mission in their County. Following Recruit Graduation, Nerheim and his colleagues joined RLSO MW for a farewell for Legalman 2nd Class Jonathan White, who deployed aboard USNS Mercy (T-AH-19) on May 1, 2016, and lunch with the entire command. All RLSO MW personnel enjoyed the opportunity to meet with Nerheim and his colleagues, and the lunch was a great going away present for White.
This visit was part of RLSO MW’s ongoing efforts to foster a cooperative relationship with local civilian prosecutors, including those at the Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office. So far, this effort has assisted both offices develop strategies to inform victims about the differences between military and civilian prosecution, and has provided professional development opportunities for RLSO MW personnel. Several attorneys at RLSO MW currently attend monthly round-table discussions with the Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office to discuss pending cases and share trial strategies. RLSO MW provides the highest quality legal service and support to Navy commanders, commands and individual Sailors and their families within its geographic area.