Joshua Cho (2L), a U.S. Army veteran, carried his commitment to service into law school. This past summer, he gained invaluable experience with The Honorable Richard T. Sules of the NJ Superior Court, Civil Division, and with the Veteran Advocacy Project. Read on to learn about his journey and insights.
What inspired you to transition from military service to pursuing a legal career?
While I deeply valued my time in the Army, I felt a new calling as my service drew to a close. My years in uniform placed me in demanding leadership roles that tested my resolve and taught me the importance of relying on both the guidance of others and the structure of military regulations. The moment that first sparked my interest in the law came when I was tasked with assisting a soldier in the midst of a mental health crisis. As a young lieutenant, I initially felt uncertain, but I turned to the regulations and found the framework that enabled me to connect this soldier with the care he needed. That experience revealed how rules and structure, when properly understood and applied, can make a profound difference in people’s lives. By the time my service was ending, I knew that my commitment to serving others was far from complete. Pursuing a legal career became the natural next step—a way to continue serving my community by advocating for individuals facing difficult circumstances and helping them navigate complex systems to secure the support and justice they deserve.
How has your experience in the U.S. Army shaped your approach to leadership and problem-solving in law school?
My time in the Army taught me that effective leadership and problem-solving require patience, adaptability, and discipline. Leading soldiers from diverse backgrounds pushed me to connect with people whose perspectives were very different from my own, which has carried over into how I collaborate with classmates and analyze problems in law school. From this opportunity, I learned how to thrive in dynamic environments and gained a deep appreciation for fostering inclusion and respect for diverse viewpoints. Military life also demanded strict time management—balancing mission requirements with unexpected challenges—and that experience has equipped me with the adaptability and judgment necessary to meet the complex demands of the legal field. In law school, I carry these lessons forward by prioritizing effectively, adjusting under pressure, and approaching challenges with empathy and resilience.
During your summer with The Honorable Richard T. Sules, what was the most valuable insight you gained about the judicial process?
The most valuable insight I gained during my summer with The Honorable Richard T. Sules came while observing the opening and closing arguments in a civil defamation trial. Both attorneys were professional, but their differing courtroom styles showed me how much tone, presence, and structure can shape advocacy. For example, the defendant’s attorney delivered his closing while standing behind the desk, whereas the plaintiff’s attorney stood directly in front of the jury, which made him appear more confident and engaged. That contrast, combined with watching how each framed the case and then seeing Judge Sules provide jury instructions, gave me a deeper appreciation for how methodical the judicial process is. Beyond the courtroom, I saw the significance of my work as a legal intern. My research and memoranda were carefully considered by Judge Sules in deciding motions, and on one occasion, he agreed with my analysis and adopted it in his ruling, which I then had the unique opportunity to see him deliver in court to the parties.
What drew you to work with the Veteran Advocacy Project, and what has been the most rewarding moment so far?
When I left the Army, I knew my service felt incomplete, and one of my motivations for pursuing a legal education was to continue serving by assisting veterans. Even after completing eight years of service, I see service as a lifelong responsibility. Law provides not only the expertise to directly impact individual lives but also the unique opportunity to help shape society through ethical advocacy. Having navigated the United States Department of Veterans Affairs myself, I know how daunting and often discouraging the process of accessing benefits and health care can be without support. My own journey from grunt to officer showed me the importance of advocacy and structure, and it fueled my desire to help veterans secure the benefits and care they deserve. Working with the Veteran Advocacy Project has allowed me to carry that mission forward.
The most rewarding moment has been realizing how directly my work can affect a veteran’s case. Whether combing through thousands of pages of service and medical records or building a timeline that clarifies their story, I’ve seen how my efforts strengthen the legal strategy and move a case closer to success. Knowing that even as an intern I can help improve a veteran’s quality of life has been the most meaningful part of this experience and a powerful reminder of why I chose this path.
You’ve handled highly detailed case files for veterans—what skills have you found most essential in that work?
When working with veteran case files that can exceed two thousand pages, the most essential skill has been the ability to quickly identify and prioritize the information that actually advances the claim. I’ve had to stay highly organized, creating timelines and chronologies that condense complex service and medical histories into something digestible for my supervisor and the team. Beyond organization, attention to detail and judgment are key: knowing what facts are legally significant and what can be set aside allows me to present findings clearly. Just as important, I’ve found that communication and empathy matter. These files represent real people with real struggles, and approaching the work with patience and clarity ensures that I not only capture the critical facts but also honor the veteran’s story in a way that strengthens their case.
How do you see your military background benefiting you in your future legal career?
My military background has shaped how I approach challenges and responsibilities. Serving eight years, both enlisted and as an officer, I learned the discipline to stay focused under pressure, the adaptability to respond to fast-changing circumstances, and the importance of accountability. Leading soldiers and being responsible for millions of dollars in equipment taught me to be detail-oriented and to make sound decisions in high-stakes environments. Those lessons carry directly into the practice of law, where cases are rarely straightforward and client needs often evolve quickly. Just as important, my service instilled a commitment to serving others, something I see as central to a legal career. And, on a lighter note, after years of long field exercises and late nights, I’m already well-prepared for the hours that come with this profession.
As APALSA’s Outreach Chair, how have you built community and supported your peers at Seton Hall Law?
Since I was only recently elected as APALSA’s Outreach Chair, I’m just beginning to step into the role, so it may be premature to say that I’ve already built a community. That said, I see this position as an opportunity to strengthen Asian representation in the legal field by connecting our members with professional organizations such as KALAGNY, AABANY, and APALA-NJ. My focus is on creating meaningful opportunities for our students to connect with these groups, whether through mentorship, networking, or collaborative events. In that way, I hope to help our members not only feel supported during law school but also empowered as they begin their legal careers.
Looking back at your Army leadership roles—Executive Officer, Company Commander, Platoon Leader—which role taught you the most, and why?
Without question, it was my time as Company Commander that taught me the most and pushed me to grow both as an individual and as a leader. I was still a lieutenant when I had to unexpectedly step into the role after our captain’s sudden departure, and I found myself responsible for 60 soldiers and over $40 million in equipment. Overnight, I had to learn how to balance the demands of higher-echelon coordination, manage complex logistics, and, most importantly, support the morale and well-being of soldiers I had only recently served alongside as a peer. That experience showed me how essential clear regulations, compliance, and accountability structures are to both mission success and people’s safety. It also sparked my interest in the legal field, because I saw firsthand how rules and systems shape outcomes. The challenges of that command were demanding, but they became the foundation of my leadership style and solidified my decision to pursue law as the next step in serving others.
How do you balance the demands of law school with personal interests like running, cooking, and reading leadership books?
Ultimately, balancing law school with my personal interests comes down to time management and prioritization. I try to follow advice I once received from a former commander: learn to distinguish between “rubber balls” and “marbles.” Some responsibilities are rubber balls—if they slip, they’ll bounce back and you can catch them later. Others are marbles, which you can never afford to drop. By recognizing which commitments fall into each category, I’m able to protect the essential obligations while still making space for the activities that recharge me, like running, cooking, and reading.
What advice would you give to other veterans who are thinking about pursuing a law degree?
I think pursuing a law degree is a fantastic path for veterans who want to continue serving their communities while also developing their professional skills. The qualities we build in the military—discipline, perseverance, and adaptability—translate directly into success in law school and the legal profession. Those traits are especially valuable when the workload intensifies because they provide a foundation for staying resilient. Most importantly, veterans already understand what it means to take ownership and pride in their responsibilities, and that mindset carries seamlessly into the practice of law. In many ways, pursuing this career feels like a continuation of the Army’s reminder to always push yourself to be all you can be.
