June 13, 2024

ASU Law professor elected to military justice fellowship

A Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law at Arizona State University professor was elected to a prestigious fellowship due to her work with veterans and military causes. 

Clinical Professor of Law Ann Ching was invited to become a fellow with the National Institute of Military Justice in late 2023. The global nonprofit was founded in 1991 to administer justice in the armed forces and improve the public’s understanding of military justice. 

The invitation is especially meaningful to Ching, a veteran who has served in the U.S. Army as a JAG Officer from 2001 to 2012. Her military awards include the Bronze Star for combat service in Iraq and the Humanitarian Assistance Award for disaster relief operations in Japan.

“I’m honored to receive this appointment because it recognizes not only my service in the U.S. Army JAG Corps but also my ongoing support of the military and veterans,” said Ching. 

Since 2016, she has been an ombudsman for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, supporting the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act by helping to resolve disputes between Guard and Reserve service members and their civilian employers. In October 2020, she was appointed judge pro tempore for the East Valley Regional Veterans Court. This treatment court covers seven jurisdictions in the greater Phoenix area. Ching’s volunteer activities include serving as a pro bono appellate lawyer for veterans. 

As a fellow, she is invited to write posts for CAAFlog, a military justice blog, attend NIMJ events and conferences, and join amicus curiae briefs. She was also given the opportunity in May to travel to Guantanamo Bay to witness historic military commissions as a nongovernmental observer. She observed pretrial hearings in the case against four defendants involved in the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, including Khalid Shaikh Mohammad. 

“The 9/11 attacks and their aftermath generated a host of thorny legal issues, especially concerning the detainees who eventually ended up at Naval Station Guantanamo Bay,” said Ching. “Now, over twenty years later, the decisions made by the U.S. Government are still being litigated in pretrial motions. Although many Americans have moved on from 9/11, for the victims' family members who attended the hearings alongside me, closure may be impossible as these trials stretch into their second decade of litigation.”

She said she was struck by the professionalism on both sides of the aisle, which included a mix of civilian and military lawyers and paralegals. 

“Both through their written motions and oral arguments, these advocates displayed a high level of competence and skill,” said Ching. “Although they argued zealously for their respective clients, outside the courtroom, they were courteous and civil. These advocates serve as a good example for today's law students when it comes to professional conduct, even when operating under adverse circumstances, dealing with high-stakes litigation, and navigating extraordinarily complex legal issues.”

While her time as a NIMJ fellow will continue to keep her busy, Ching plans to continue supporting veteran law students in the Military and Veteran Legal Association and advising others on potential careers in the armed forces. 

“I often advise students to talk to JAG Corps veterans and apply for a JAG summer internship. The Department of Defense also employs thousands of civilian lawyers, so there are many pathways to service,” she said. 

Written by Lindsay Walker