Lieutenant General Flora Darpino Gives Presentation at Pepperdine

Last spring, United States Army lieutenant general Flora Darpino provided a special presentation at Pepperdine University School of Law.

Darpino, the judge advocate general of the U.S. Army, is the first woman to hold the top lawyer role for the army. Of 431 active duty army generals, only 28 are female. She leads nearly 2,000 full-time judge advocates and civilian attorneys in providing legal services to the military branch.

At Pepperdine, Darpino talked about the diverse role of military lawyers, from advising commanders in combat zones to defending service members in the courtroom. The general also shared her fascinating career and gave advice to students interested in JAG or government service.

After earning her law degree from Rutgers School of Law in New Jersey, Darpino joined the army. Over the years she served in a number of posts including in Iraq and Germany and went on to become a three- star general. In addition to her impressive resume, Darpino has received such military honors as the Bronze Star Medal, the Defense Superior Service Medal, and the Army Commendation Medal.