Michelle Mathis

Background

About Michelle Mathis

In June 2023, Michelle Mathis became a Supervisory Civilian Attorney in the RLSO-MIDLANT Legal Assistance Department located on the Norfolk Naval Base. In this role, she helps Sailors navigate their legal concerns so they can concentrate on their assigned mission. She is licensed in the Commonwealth of Virginia and is also responsible for teaching Virginia Law to new Judge Advocate General (JAG) Attorneys. Previously, in private practice, Michelle Mathis represented clients with family law (divorce, support, child custody, adult conservatorships), criminal law (misdemeanors, felonies), landlord-tenant (evictions, security deposits), protective order (petitions and defense), immigration, and debtor-creditor issues (settlement, garnishment). Over the course of 4.5 years, she regularly litigated these cases in courts throughout Hampton Roads, Virginia. She worked at Cowardin, Kim and Riddle; The O’Brien Law Firm; and her own law firm. She has 6 prior years of experience on active duty in Norfolk, Virginia, as a Navy JAG advising military members and their dependents. As a Legal Assistance Attorney, she provided guidance on estate planning, consumer law, military regulations, military rights and benefits. As a Defense Counsel, she advocated for clients who were facing discipline, criminal charges or separation from the service. Additionally, she has been a Staff Judge Advocate (SJA) with: Navy Personnel Command (NPC), Navy Reserve Forces Command (CNRFC), Navy and Marine Corps Appellate Review Authority (NAMARA) and the USNS COMFORT (T-AH 20). She still serves as a JAG officer in the Navy Reserves. Michelle Mathis is proud of those times in her career when she was able to exonerate individuals who were wrongfully accused. She strongly believes in continual process-improvement and freedom of information. She is particularly thankful that her current position allows her to mentor the next generation of the JAG community. She joined the Navy herself after a 2L summer internship with Legal Assistance in her hometown of San Diego, California. In 2007, Michelle Mathis graduated cum laude from Pepperdine University School of Law in Malibu, California and passed the California Bar. Shortly thereafter, she moved to Virginia with the Navy and has remained there ever since.