Mikayla Lee

I am a second-year law student at Southern University Law Center and a commissioned Second Lieutenant in the United States Army pursuing a career in the Judge Advocate General's Corps. My professional interests center on criminal prosecution, military justice, victim advocacy, and litigation. My long-term goal is to prosecute violent crimes against women and children while serving as a Judge Advocate and ultimately within the Army's Special Victims' Counsel Program. I am committed to leadership founded upon discipline, accountability, trust, and justice and strive to bring those principles into every professional opportunity.

• Dear Hiring Committee
• I am a second-year law student at Southern University Law Center, a commissioned Second Lieutenant in the United States Army, and an aspiring Judge Advocate. I respectfully submit my application because I am seeking an opportunity to continue developing as a future litigator, prosecutor, and military attorney while serving an organization whose commitment to justice, integrity, and public service reflects my own. Every experience I have pursued has been intentional, preparing me for a career dedicated to protecting others, advocating for victims, and upholding the rule of law.
• My desire to become a Judge Advocate is rooted in my unwavering belief that discipline, accountability, trust, and justice are the four pillars that sustain both our legal system and our Armed Forces. I raised my right hand and swore an oath to support and defend the Constitution of the United States. That oath was more than a ceremonial promise; it was a lifelong commitment to serving something greater than myself. I believe that every Judge Advocate carries the responsibility of protecting not only the Constitution but also the Soldiers, civilians, and families who place their trust in the Army. When that trust is violated through violent crime, sexual assault, domestic violence, or crimes against children, the integrity of the institution itself is threatened.
• My passion for prosecuting violent crimes against women and children is deeply personal. As a survivor of sexual assault, I understand that these crimes are rarely isolated moments. They affect a victim's confidence, relationships, and sense of safety long after the criminal act has ended. Rather than allowing that experience to define me, I have allowed it to shape the attorney and officer I aspire to become. I want every victim who walks into a courtroom to know they are heard, respected, and advocated for with compassion and strength.
• The stories of Specialist Vanessa Guillén, Private First Class Asia Graham, Specialist Ciara Durkin, and countless other service members who suffered violence or lost their lives reinforce why this mission matters so deeply to me. Their stories remind us that our greatest threats are not always external. When individuals entrusted with leadership abuse that trust, they weaken the very foundation upon which military readiness depends. Accountability is not simply about punishment; it is about preserving the confidence that every Soldier deserves to have in the institution they volunteered to serve.
• My legal experiences have intentionally prepared me for this path. As a Legal Research Intern with R.W. Tucker & Associates, I researched complex criminal and civil issues under Louisiana law, drafted pleadings, motions, affidavits, memoranda, and litigation documents, prepared trial binders, organized discovery, communicated with courts and third parties, and participated in client interviews and jail visits. These experiences strengthened my legal writing, analytical reasoning, and understanding of criminal litigation while reinforcing the importance of client-centered advocacy. Although my greatest passion is prosecuting egregious violent crimes, particularly crimes committed against women and children, I also recognize that the integrity of our justice system depends upon the constitutional right to effective representation. My experience working in criminal defense at R.W. Tucker & Associates taught me the importance of due process, the Sixth Amendment right to counsel, and ethical advocacy. It allowed me to witness firsthand that every person, regardless of the allegations against them, is entitled to competent representation and the protections guaranteed by our Constitution. While my long-term calling is prosecution and victim advocacy, my experience in criminal defense has made me a more objective, well-rounded attorney who understands that justice requires more than securing convictions. It requires fair proceedings, accountability, and unwavering respect for the constitutional rights of every individual. I believe this perspective will make me a stronger prosecutor because I will never lose sight of the fact that the ultimate duty of an attorney is not simply to win a case, but to uphold the integrity of our justice system.
• Previously, I worked as a Pre-Litigation Paralegal with River Run Law, where I managed a substantial personal injury caseload from intake through settlement. I worked directly with clients during some of the most difficult periods of their lives, drafted settlement demands, negotiated with insurance adjusters, coordinated medical records and billing, and maintained consistent communication throughout the legal process. Those responsibilities taught me that effective advocacy requires not only legal knowledge but also empathy, patience, and professionalism.
• My leadership experiences have also shaped the attorney I hope to become. Through Army ROTC and now as a commissioned Army officer, I have developed discipline, accountability, resilience, and servant leadership. My current position at L'Auberge Casino Hotel Baton Rouge has further strengthened my ability to communicate with individuals from diverse backgrounds, resolve conflict professionally, manage competing priorities, and perform effectively in fast-paced environments. Each role has strengthened skills that I will carry into the courtroom and throughout my military career.
• My long-term goal is to serve as an Army Judge Advocate and ultimately work within the Special Victims' Counsel Program and military justice system, prosecuting serious offenses including sexual assault, domestic violence, child abuse, and other violent crimes. I want to dedicate my career to ensuring that victims receive compassionate representation while those who violate the trust placed in them are held fully accountable. I believe justice is not only measured by convictions but also by restoring confidence in the institutions sworn to protect our nation's service members.
• The oath I took as an Army officer did not simply commit me to defending our Nation; it committed me to defending the Constitution, preserving the trust placed in our institutions, and serving those who cannot always defend themselves. Whether advocating for victims, safeguarding constitutional rights, or prosecuting those who commit egregious acts of violence, I intend to spend my career ensuring that justice is pursued with integrity, compassion, discipline, and accountability. That is the attorney, officer, and future Judge Advocate I aspire to be.
• Thank you for your time and consideration. I would be honored to contribute my legal experience, leadership, work ethic, and commitment to justice to your organization while continuing to prepare for a lifetime of service in the Judge Advocate General's Corps. I welcome the opportunity to discuss how my experiences and dedication would make me a valuable member of your team.
• Sincerely
• Mikayla Lee