JACKSON, Miss. – Mississippi State Auditor Shad White has announced the creation of the “Defend the ’Sip Fellowship,” a new program aimed at providing law graduates awaiting entry into the Judge Advocate General’s (JAG) Corps with real-world legal experience.
The fellowship, offered through the Office of the State Auditor, allows graduates to work on legal matters for the state between law school completion and the start of their military service.
“As a service member myself, I’m excited about bringing these talented young people onto our team,” White said. “We will benefit from their energy and skill, and hopefully after they finish their military service, they will return to Mississippi and make our state’s future even brighter.”
The program is open to Mississippi law graduates and soon-to-be graduates who have been accepted into the JAG Corps. It complements the Auditor’s existing “Stay in the ’Sip Fellowship,” which covers the final years of accounting school for graduates who commit to at least two years of service with the auditor’s office after graduation.
White said the program was created to fill an important gap.
“It seemed like such a waste to have motivated, disciplined young lawyers sitting and waiting to be shipped off to their first duty station,” he said. “So we created a program that will benefit both parties.”
The Office of the State Auditor is working with Mississippi College (MC) to recruit participants. MC has the highest percentage of graduates joining the JAG Corps of any law school in the state.
“This will help MC Law with meeting the needs our JAG graduates often encounter during the in-between time,” the MC School of Law said in a statement. “Having structured temporary placement opportunities such as this will no doubt be utilized and appreciated.”
More information about the Defend the ’Sip Fellowship is available by contacting Jason Hackett at Jason.Hackett@osa.ms.gov or calling (601) 576-2616.
Bob Bakken provides content for DeSoto County News and its social media channels. He is an award-winning broadcaster, along with being a reporter and photographer, and has done sports media relations work with junior and minor league hockey teams. Along with his reports on this website, you will find this veteran media member providing sports updates and high school football play-by-play on Rebel 95.3 FM Radio.
