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Colorado Law student veterans make an exceptionally valuable impact on our community with their unique blend of discipline, leadership, and real-world experience.

“We're grateful to our student veterans for their service,” said Assistant Dean of Student Services Emily Horowitz. “Our school community is better for their presence in the classroom, in student organizations like the Military Law Society, and in their many leadership roles.

In Honor of Veterans Day, we are thrilled to highlight Colorado Law’s Military Law Society (MLS). We spoke to MLS President Zach Cohen ’25 to learn more about this student organization.

What are the primary goals of the Military Law Society?

ZC: The CU Military Law Society is an inclusive student-run organization designed to bring together military veterans, law students interested in pursuing military careers, and currently serving military members. Our goal is to help MLS members realize their career goals, whether that is military service as a JAG officer or transitioning into a non-military legal career. We will facilitate these goals by providing JAG interaction and information, furthering understanding of military life, networking with veteran attorneys and judges, and providing substantive professional information for those seeking to move into a non-military legal field.

How do you think veterans bring a unique perspective to legal practice?

ZC: A common theme amongst veterans is the general feeling that no matter what role they played in their respective services, the military often gives its servicemembers more responsibility than the individual thinks they are prepared for. In other words, service members are frequently required to perform in areas where they once lacked experience, but the very process of placing such large responsibility on individuals promotes self-confidence and improved problem-solving skills. This allows veterans to accept new responsibilities with profound confidence and flexibility as they pursue challenging higher education and career paths.

How do you help MLS members realize their career goals? 

ZC: Mostly, MLS invites current and past Judge Advocates to speak to current law students about their experiences within military legal fields. For example, we hosted National Security Law Judge Advocates for a conversation about the Law of Armed Conflict. That session emphasized the laws of war and how the United States conducts wartime operations according to these laws.

Separately, MLS has partnered with CU’s Business School Veterans Club (Leeds Vets Club) for social events and networking opportunities in ways that are less common at law school. These joint events allow business and law students to interact (sometimes with employers) to gain a deeper understanding of each interests.

As someone who served in the military, how has your service influenced your approach to law school or your legal career path?

ZC: Serving in the military has given me a more profound sense of the rights and freedoms that are at stake both in America and throughout the world. Before law school, I had a general (and often nebulous) understanding of what rights our legal system guarantees, and as a result, which freedoms the military is asked to protect. As a law student, this experience has grounded these freedoms and rights in historical and legal conversations that further contextualize the actions I take in uniform.