Two Navy judge advocates were honored by the American Bar Association (ABA) at the 2012 ABA Annual Meeting in Chicago Aug. 3.
Capt. Mary S. Reismeier, commanding officer, Region Legal Service Office Naval District Washington, received the Outstanding Military Service Career Judge Advocate Award and Lt. Brian C. Haagensen, staff judge advocate at Naval Submarine Support Command, Pearl Harbor, was chosen to receive the Outstanding Young Military Lawyer Award.
The ABA Outstanding Military Service Career Judge Advocate Award, sponsored by the Standing Committee on Armed Forces Law, is presented annually to one judge advocate from each service who has distinguished themselves over the course of a military career.
“I'm truly honored to have been selected for this award. But, honestly, I felt like I "won" when I was nominated.” said Reismeier.
Before Reismeier assumed command of Region Legal Service Office Naval District Washington, she
served as the senior counsel for the Chief of Naval Operations, Environmental Readiness Division and as the executive officer of Naval Legal Service Office North Central.
“I couldn’t be more pleased that Capt. Reismeier’s and Lt. Haagensen’s achievements have been recognized with these prestigious awards. Their commitment and dedication make them role models for judge advocates everywhere,” said Vice Adm. Nanette M. DeRenzi, Judge Advocate General of the Navy.
The Outstanding Young Military Lawyer Award is awarded jointly by the ABA Young Lawyer’s Division and the Judge Advocate’s Association, and recognizes the contributions of attorneys from each uniformed service based upon professional accomplishment, community service, leadership, and the development of subordinates.
“Lt. Haagensen is a talented young officer who has performed brilliantly ashore, at sea, and deployed in overseas contingency operations. He spent much of his first five years of service underway or deployed in some of the most demanding environments where judge advocates operate,” said Capt. Ann Minami, commanding officer, Region Legal Service Office Northwest.
The award was presented at the Keithe E. Nelson Memorial Military Law Luncheon, an event honoring the legacy of Major General Keithe E. Nelson who served as the ninth United States Air Force Judge Advocate General.