NAWJ Military and Veteran Affairs Committee Co-Chairs Featured in ABA Program

The American Bar Association's Judicial Division Wellness Wednesday Program held on November 10, 2021, featured NAWJ Military and Veterans Affairs Committee co-chairs Colonel (US Army, Ret.) Kirsten Brunson and Colonel (US Air Force, Ret) Linda Strite Murnane. Colonel Brunson, who became the first African American woman to serve as an Army trial judge when she took the bench in 2008, shared her views as a Soldier, a mother, and the spouse of an active duty member and discussed the challenges posed in managing a successful career as a prosecutor, defense counsel, and judge while also serving in uniform. The program also included Colonel Michael Lewis, U.S. Air Force Court of Criminal Appeals currently serving on active duty, and retired Chief Trial Judge for the Coast Guard and President of the National Judicial College, Captain (US Coast Guard, Ret) Benes Aldana. The panel was moderated by Colonel Murnane, a past chair of the ABA Judicial Division.