Rutgers Law Military Students and Alumni Share Their Journeys in Legal Education
In honor of Veterans Day, Rutgers Law School proudly highlights the stories of some of our students and alumni representing a range of military service branches, class years, and legal fields. From the U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force, and National Guard, they share in their own words how their service shaped their pursuit of legal careers and goals in various areas of the law. These reflections underscore Rutgers Law’s commitment to affordability, practical legal training, and support for those who serve. These profiles have been edited for clarity and brevity.
Charles Dewey ’26, a first generation law student, is a Military Intelligence Officer, 1st Battalion, 69th Infantry Regiment in the New York Army National Guard.
Why did you choose Rutgers Law?
Above all, I pursued a legal education not just to begin a new career, but to better understand the Constitution and the rights we took an oath to defend. When deciding which school to attend, Rutgers stood out for the courses, the professors, and the clinical education in this field. It also didn't hurt that the campus wasn't far away from home either!
What are your career goals or legal field of interest?
I am very interested in maritime, national security, and government contracts law, but also I would be interested in complex litigation and investigations. I plan to spend the first years of practice working in New York City at a firm, and then reassess where I want to be after that!
How has Rutgers Law helped in your career endeavors thus far?
I really appreciate Rutgers Law's commitment to providing a world-class education, especially within the realm of Constitutional Law. The skills that I've learned provided me with confidence and a great foundation to grow further in my legal education while I was a summer associate. I also cannot stress enough how supportive Rutgers Law has been to veterans and those who currently serve in the reserves or National Guard like myself. Without that support, having a legal and military career would not be possible.
Kevon Elzey ’26, a first generation law student, commissioned into the U.S. Air Force as a 2nd Lieutenant in 2023. Prior to this, he was selected for the Judge Advocate General (JAG) Corps Educational Delay program permitting full-time attendance to law school prior to beginning active duty service as a JAG. Part of this program allowed him to intern with the JAG Corps this past summer at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst where he drafted multiple motions, legal reviews, and sit in on court martials.
Why did you choose Rutgers Law?
I chose Rutgers Law School because I really admired their focus on public interest and goal to diversify the legal field.
What are your career goals or legal field of interest?
After law school, I'll be going on active duty as a JAG with the U.S. Air Force JAG Corps.
Roger Kilgore ’27 is a first generation law student and served as a U.S. Army Infantry Officer based at Fort Moore, Georgia.
Why did you choose Rutgers Law?
Rutgers Law School's affordability and opportunity make it a top choice for prospective law students. "Affordability" is evident in the price. "Opportunity" becomes apparent when you see Rutgers Law School alumni in top positions within firms and public organizations throughout the tri-state area. But for me, Rutgers Law School was my only choice. I applied early decision for two reasons: (1) New Jersey has made me everything that I am. During my 6-year period as a U.S. Army Infantry Officer, I lived all over the world. But still, New Jersey has always been considered "home" to me. (2) The Minority Student Program ("MSP") at Rutgers Law School. As a first-generation law student, I knew MSP would give me the knowledge and resources to succeed as both a law student and summer associate.
What are your career goals or legal field of interest?
I started my career in the public sector, working in both local and federal government. And I hope to finish my career someday in the public sector. But in the immediate future, I'm interested in civil litigation. Overall, the dynamic nature of litigation really excites me.
How has Rutgers Law helped in your career endeavors thus far?
What makes Rutgers Law School special is its emphasis on practical legal skills. I succeeded as a 1L summer associate thanks in part to the legal research and writing skills I acquired from my LAWRS professor, Emily Kline. As a 2L and current member of the National Mock Trial Team, I'm learning trial advocacy skills directly from Dean [Andrew] Rossner, who has decades of trial experience and has served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney. And next year, as a 3L, I'll take advantage of the numerous clinical opportunities at Rutgers Law School. I truly believe that the practical legal skills that I acquired at Rutgers Law School will be the reason I walk into the office confidently as a junior associate someday.
Daniel Malone ’25, a first-generation American, is a Rutgers Law Associate in Newark. He’s held various positions in the U.S. Army.
Why did you choose Rutgers Law?
I needed a place that was: 1) close to home to cut down on living expenses and so I could still work at my overnight job; 2) in a ZIP code that would maximize my GI Bill stipend; and 3) wouldn't be too expensive, even with my reduced GI Bill benefits. Rutgers fits all three criteria. It also helps that I was only accepted into Rutgers and Seton Hall, but SHU would have left me with a tuition deficit because the GI Bill doesn't fully cover private university tuition.
What are your career goals or legal field of interest?
Tax or bankruptcy. Between the Army and law school, I worked in the financial sector, and that world and those areas of law just make perfect sense to me (unlike other areas of law). I suppose the broader area of legal interest would be "commercial transactional law" because tax, bankruptcy, UCC Article 9, antitrust, and other subjects I studied fit together so beautifully that I can't imagine anything else being remotely as satisfying for a career. As for career goals: short-term goal is to gain admission to the NJ/NY bar; medium-term goal is to gain access to Ireland/European Union legal accreditation by taking the Qualified Lawyer Transfer Test, which is available for certain attorneys licensed in New York; my long-term goal is to secure a Japanese immigration visa and register as a gaikokuhō jimu bengoshi - attorney registered at foreign law. Why? Because I want to.
How has Rutgers Law helped in your career endeavors?
Some of our faculty (my boss, actually) quite literally wrote the rulebook on practicing law in New Jersey. And we have other faculty that have done the grunt work, been in the trenches, and worked their way up from assistant attorney to section chief at either the FBI or a state equivalent. There's no replacement for practical experience. Learning from those kinds of professors, and then immediately after law school being able to practice law (under NJ R. 1:21-3) and put that practical guidance to use in a courtroom, is the best possible path to forge, temper, hone, and sharpen your skills and mindset in a condensed time frame, without delay or professional atrophy.
Randy Petronko ’25, a first generation law student served in the U.S. Navy from 2001 to 2006 as an Aviation Ordnance Technician and stationed aboard the USS Tarawa (LHA 1) based out of San Diego. He was a member of the ship's honor guard, security force, and Special Response Team deployed to the Persian Gulf in 2003 as a part of Operation Southern Watch, Operation Iraqi Freedom, and Operation Enduring Freedom. In 2024, Petronko was awarded the Camden County Military Service Medal and Camden County War on Terror Medal by the Camden County Board of Commissioners in partnership with Rutgers–Camden. He currently assists fellow veterans at Morgan & Morgan.
Why did you choose Rutgers Law?
I was born and raised in New Jersey. I returned home a few years after I left the Navy. I wanted to stay local to my family, and Rutgers was the perfect choice for me. They are also very well known for their clinic programs and are one of the few schools that [had] a Veterans Clinic.
What are your career goals or legal field of interest?
As a veteran that has faced many challenges attempting to gain assistance from the VA with health and homelessness, I have a passion for helping other veterans and hopefully changing policy at the VA. Currently, I work for Morgan & Morgan in their Veterans Legal Group. We assist veterans appeal their claims that were denied by the VA.
May Wedlund ’16, is a first generation law student and alumna of the U.S. Naval Academy. She is a veteran of the Global War on Terror and served eight years on active duty as a Navy Supply Officer. She is currently a member of the Litigation Practice Group at Cleary Giacobbe Alfieri Jacobs, LLC.
Why did you choose Rutgers Law?
While I was deployed to Afghanistan, my parents alerted me to some recruiting mail from Rutgers Law and encouraged me to apply. Shortly after submitting my application, I received an acceptance email and an offer for a full scholarship. Admittedly, I knew very little about Rutgers but I could not turn down such a generous offer.
What are your career goals or legal field of interest?
I am interested in state and federal civil rights/constitutional law.
How has Rutgers Law helped in your career endeavors?
Rutgers Law School taught me to think like an attorney and its dedicated faculty (especially Professor Ruth Anne Robbins) helped me gain experience through clinics and internship opportunities. The [Rutgers Law Associates] program (specifically Andy Rothman) taught me how to be a practicing attorney, connected me with potential employers, and has provided thoughtful career advice whenever needed. As someone who did not grow up in New Jersey, Rutgers Law has been essential to developing my professional network.