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Who We Are
The National Institute of Military Justice® (NIMJ) is a private non-profit organization, founded in 1991, and dedicated to the fair administration of justice in the armed forces and improved public understanding of military justice. NIMJ's leadership includes former judge advocates, private practitioners, and legal scholars. 
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Our PublicationsCAAFlog is the official blog of the National Institute of Military Justice.
Global Military Justice Reform is affiliated with NIMJ. Both publications retain editorial independence. Forces Law Review, a joint publication with the Centre for Constitution & Public Policy (CCPP), University Institute of Legal Studies (UILS), Panjab University, Chandigarh. Support NIMJ -- Donate here |
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News
A military judge held his first full week of pretrial hearings in the four-man 9/11 case -- and the capital defense lawyer for one defendant, Mustafa al Hawsawi, never made it to court across all five days. The lawyer, Walter Ruiz, had pneumonia at Guantanamo Bay. The week focused largely on the testimony of a retired FBI agent who questioned a co-defendant, Walid bin Attash, back in 2007 and 2008. But the lawyers for all four accused protested that, in a death penalty case an accused needs his capital defender at every stage.
The new judge, Lt. Col. Michael Schrama, said Mr. Hawsawi's lawyer and those representing the others will be able to question the FBI agent, Stephen Gaudin, next time he can come back down to Guantanamo Bay, maybe in May.
--In other news, prosecutor Clay Trivett told the judge that he expects a Defense Department official to authorize a new policy next week that should see the Pentagon bringing back down nongovernmental observers from legal groups and schools to watch future hearings. Housing had been an issue.
The new judge, Lt. Col. Michael Schrama, said Mr. Hawsawi's lawyer and those representing the others will be able to question the FBI agent, Stephen Gaudin, next time he can come back down to Guantanamo Bay, maybe in May.
--In other news, prosecutor Clay Trivett told the judge that he expects a Defense Department official to authorize a new policy next week that should see the Pentagon bringing back down nongovernmental observers from legal groups and schools to watch future hearings. Housing had been an issue.
Here is Secretary Hegseth's Directed Assessment and Alignment of Legal Functions to Enhance Legal Supportto W arfighters, memorandum.
NIMJ, jointly with The Center for Ethics and the Rule of Law (CERL), U. Penn., filed an amicus brief in United States v. Askins on the Time of War issue.
NIMJ amicus brief in United States v. Nelson, filed at CAAF on 2 March 2026.
NIMJ amicus brief in United States v. Roberts, filed at CAAF on 30 December 2025.
Writing Awards
NIMJ is excited to announce it is accepting submissions for three writing awards for papers and articles published in the last year.
First, NIMJ is accepting submissions by law students for the Rear Admiral John S. Jenkins Writing Award. This award is presented to the best nominated paper written by a law student on a military legal topic. The award is named for Rear Admiral John S. Jenkins, the 28th Judge Advocate General of the Navy and co-founder of NIMJ. The award carries a $250 prize.
NIMJ is also accepting submissions for its Kevin J. Barry Writing Award for Excellence for Practitioners and Scholars. This award honors an outstanding scholarly article on a military legal topic written by an academic or practitioner. The award is named for Captain Kevin Barry, USCG. CAPT Barry was a co-founder and longtime director of NIMJ. The award carries a $250 prize.
Lastly, NIMJ is accepting submission for the Dr. Evan R. Seamone Memorial Veterans’ Excellence Award. This award honors excellence in the field of advancing veterans’ rights demonstrated through a scholarly article, major litigation, or substantial advocacy work that occurred in a particular calendar year. This award carries a $250 prize.
Submissions should be sent to NIMJ ([email protected]) by 31 August 2025. For more information about these three awards, please visit https://www.nimj.org/prizes.html#/
First, NIMJ is accepting submissions by law students for the Rear Admiral John S. Jenkins Writing Award. This award is presented to the best nominated paper written by a law student on a military legal topic. The award is named for Rear Admiral John S. Jenkins, the 28th Judge Advocate General of the Navy and co-founder of NIMJ. The award carries a $250 prize.
NIMJ is also accepting submissions for its Kevin J. Barry Writing Award for Excellence for Practitioners and Scholars. This award honors an outstanding scholarly article on a military legal topic written by an academic or practitioner. The award is named for Captain Kevin Barry, USCG. CAPT Barry was a co-founder and longtime director of NIMJ. The award carries a $250 prize.
Lastly, NIMJ is accepting submission for the Dr. Evan R. Seamone Memorial Veterans’ Excellence Award. This award honors excellence in the field of advancing veterans’ rights demonstrated through a scholarly article, major litigation, or substantial advocacy work that occurred in a particular calendar year. This award carries a $250 prize.
Submissions should be sent to NIMJ ([email protected]) by 31 August 2025. For more information about these three awards, please visit https://www.nimj.org/prizes.html#/