Lieutenant General Charles Pede Honored with William & Mary Law School’s Citizen Lawyers in Action Award

Lt. General Charles Pede (Ret.), former Judge Advocate General of the U.S. Army, has been named recipient of this year’s Citizen Lawyers in Action Award, presented annually by William & Mary Law School’s Institute of Bill of Rights Law (IBRL). The award recognizes legal professionals whose careers demonstrate exceptional commitment to public service and civic responsibility.

LG Pede, who previously led the Judge Advocate General’s Legal Center and School and served as Chief Judge of the Army Court of Criminal Appeals, capped his four-year term as the Army’s 40th Judge Advocate General by continuing to strengthen the legal field as a professorial lecturer at George Washington University Law School.

Professor Allison Orr Larsen, Director of the IBRL, presented the award at the Law School on March 25. Following the presentation, Pede addressed students, emphasizing the legal profession’s ethical responsibilities. He spoke at length about the Army JAG Corps’ concept of “principled counsel,” urging future attorneys to prioritize service, cultivate strong professional relationships, and engage deeply with the history of the nation and its legal institutions.

“It was a real treat to learn from General Pede and to honor him with the Citizen Lawyers in Action award. It was particularly special to spend time with him together with our law students who are in the armed services now," Professor Larsen said. "It almost felt like a passing of the baton from one generation of citizen lawyer in the military to the next. I think George Wythe would be very proud.”

Earlier in the day, several members of the school’s Military and Veterans Law Society (MVLS) met with LG Pede for a private lunch. MVLS president and second-year law student Aubrey Good reflected on the significance of the conversation.

“As a veteran and current law student, it was an honor to meet with General Charles Pede and share the profound impact that the military and veteran community here at William & Mary Law School has had on my legal education,” Good said. She noted that their discussion highlighted the shared foundation of service and integrity in both military life and the citizen lawyer tradition.

Good added that LG Pede’s message resonated deeply with students preparing for careers in advocacy.

“General Pede provided a clear roadmap for our collective professional futures by asking every future citizen lawyer to prioritize three pillars: know the law, build relationships, and provide principled counsel. His call to prioritize ‘principled counsel’ was particularly resonant, serving as a reminder that being an impactful lawyer isn’t about winning the argument, but about providing the wise, steady guidance our communities and clients need most.”

The Citizen Lawyers in Action Award aims to honor leaders who exemplify the values at the heart of public service law. This year’s recognition, students and faculty agreed, underscores LG Pede’s distinguished career and his continued commitment to shaping the next generation of legal professionals.