2013 Young Alumni Award: Major James R. Lisher, II (LAW '04)
Major James Lisher received his JD from the Law School in 2004. Since then he has provided legal support to U.S. Air Forces’ Central Command and deployed as a Judge Advocate General (JAG) to hot spots in Afghanistan, Iraq, Korea, Jordan and England.
He established and refined the Rules of Engagement through international agreements in support of Operations Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan), Iraqi Freedom and New Dawn (Iraq) and Unified Protector (Libya). Additionally, he has been an integral part in developing and advising Air Force command through sensitive and critical national security challenges. With a particular focus and robust knowledge international law, he has been awarded the Air Force Commendation medal five times; was a founding member of Kids of Iraq—a nonprofit dedicated to providing toys to Iraqi children during the conflict; volunteered at the Iraq theater hospital; helped build more than 15 Habitat for Humanity homes; coached youth soccer in New Mexico and England; and organized 10 running events to support major charities. Currently, Lisher is pursuing an LL.M in contracts procurement law at George Washington University, for which he was competitively selected by the Air Force.