Department of Law

Established in 1956

Department Heads

1956–1958	Col Allen W. Rigsby
1958–1966	*Col Christopher H. Munch*
1966–1967	Lt Col William C. Hamilton Jr.
1967–1988	*Col Marcos E. Kinevan*
1988–1997	*Col Richard R. Lee*
1997–2001	*Col Michael R. Emerson*
2001–2002	Col Chester H. Morgan II
2002–2007	*Col Paul E. Pirog*
2007–2008	Col Charles W. Hasskamp
2008–2014	*Col Pirog*
2014–2015	Lt Col Daniel A. Olson
2015–	*Col Linell A. Letendre*

Permanent Professors

The Department Today:

The Department of Law helps cadets develop the analytical skills that will permit them to identify, understand, and resolve the legal issues they will likely encounter after graduation. Increasingly, complex legal considerations permeate every aspect of modern life in both civilian and military environments. The Legal Studies major is not a “pre-law” program. Rather, the Legal Studies major provides students with enhanced knowledge of the law as part of a broadly focused education. Cadets will build expertise in the study of law and its role and function in both American society and the international community.

Curriculum:

The department offers 18 Law courses and supports courses in Social Sciences.
Core Courses:
Law 220. Law for Air Force Officers
Soc Sci 483. Principles of Negotiation (Advanced Sociocultural Choice)
Major: Legal Studies

Noteworthy:

The department sponsors and coaches a cadet Moot Court Team and a cadet Mock Trial Team, which offer cadets opportunities to improve their oral communication, critical thinking, teamwork, and leadership skills, while simultaneously providing an education about the American legal system in competition against other colleges and universities. Additionally, cadets compete in the Cyber 9/12 annual competition regarding international cyber policy. The department’s cadets also compete against international military academies on the Law of Armed Conflict and International Humanitarian Law. The department manages two programs that serve cadets, faculty, and the Air Force: The Law, Technology, and Warfare Research Cell serves as the department’s intersection between technology and the law; and the Legal Alternative Dispute Resolution Program teaches negotiation and mediation strategies. The department’s military faculty serve as Board Legal Advisors to Cadet Honor Boards. Finally, the department conducts training for graduating cadets in the Uniform Code of Military Justice.