Nicholas J. Kadlec, LL.M., J.D.

Military Professor Stockton Center for International Law
Cmdr., U.S. Navy
Nicholas J. Kadlec faculty photo

Biography

Cmdr. Kadlec is an active-duty Navy Judge Advocate and military professor in the Stockton Center for International Law. His prior assignments include Deputy Staff Judge Advocate for National Security Law, U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, Hawai'i; Assistant Fleet Judge Advocate, U.S. 5th Fleet, Bahrain; and Assistant Staff Judge Advocate, Combined Joint Interagency Task Force 435, Afghanistan. He has also served at the Pentagon, Washington Navy Yard, and Naval Station Norfolk in various legal assignments. He holds an LL.M. from Georgetown Law, M.A. from the U.S. Naval War College, J.D. from California Western School of Law, and B.A. from the University of California at Davis.

Areas of Expertise

  • Asia-Pacific
  • Human Rights
  • International Law
  • Joint Operations
  • Rules of Engagement
  • South China Sea
  • UNCLOS

Professional Highlights

2020

Deputy Staff Judge Advocate for National Security Law & Operational Law, U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (Hawai'i)

Legal advisor to USINDOPACOM Combatant Commander and staff on range of military planning, exercises, and operations in the Indo-Pacific area of responsibility.
2016

Professional Development Officer, Region Legal Service Office Naval District Washington (Washington D.C.)

Responsible for training and professional development of U.S. Navy JAG Corps personnel across the National Capital Region.
2015

Deputy Assistant Fleet/Force Judge Advocate, U.S. FIFTH Fleet/U.S. Naval Forces Central Command (Bahrain)

Legal advisor to Force/Fleet Commander and staff on matters related to U.S. Naval operations in the middle east area of responsibility.
2012

Administrative Law Attorney, Office of the Judge Advocate General Administrative Law Division (Code 13) (Pentagon)

Legal advisor on range of officer promotion and personnel matters, and government ethics/standards of conduct matters.
2011

Assistant Staff Judge Advocate, Combined Joint Interagency Task Force 435 (Afghanistan)

Forward deployed to Afghanistan as legal advisor to Task Force Commander and staff on rule-of-law and detainee operations matters under Operation Enduring Freedom and NATO-ISAF missions.
2009

Trial Counsel/Command Services Attorney, Region Legal Service Office Mid-Atlantic (Norfolk)

Military prosecutor for criminal cases under the Uniform Code of Military Justice, and legal advisor to array of units at Naval Station Norfolk and surrounding installations.

Education

LL.M., Georgetown Law, National Security Law, with distinction

M.A., U.S. Naval War College, National Security and Strategic Studies, with highest distinction

J.D., California Western School of Law, magna cum laude

B.A., University of California at Davis

Cert., Georgetown Law, International Human Rights Law

Research Contributions and Publications

Awards and Decorations

Drs. Daniel and Susan Thys Academic Award
U.S. Naval War College, 2024

VADM James H. Doyle, Jr., Military Operations & International Law Award
U.S. Naval War College, 2024

Naval Legal Service Command Leader of the Year Award
U.S. Navy JAG Corps, 2018

External Memberships and Associations

California Bar
Member

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