Photo By Senior Airman Isaiah Pedrazzini | U.S. Air Force Maj. Christopher Lee, 926th Wing staff judge advocate, reviews case...... read more read more
NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. – Pursuing a career in law, especially as a staff judge advocate is accompanied with the responsibility that it is one’s duty to interpret the law, not make it, ensuring that no matter the outcome that justice is served.
This is the principle that U.S. Air Force Maj. Christopher Lee, 926th Wing staff judge advocate, has kept in balancing his service to his country as a Traditional Reservist in the Air Force Reserve and as the Chief Judge of the North Las Vegas Municipal Court.
Lee’s interest in the military began at an early age. Born in the South Korean city of Incheon and eventually immigrating to the city of Las Vegas at the age of two, Lee grew up on the stories his family told him of the Korean War.
“I was raised on the stories of how the U.S. helped turn the tide for South Korea during the war and was a huge background in my upbringing,” said Lee. “As I grew up, I always felt that I needed to give back to the country that gave me and my family so many new opportunities in some way.”
Lee eventually enrolled at the University of Las Vegas, where he discovered a new career interest that would shape the trajectory of his life, the study of law.
“I was a bit of a late bloomer when it came to picking out a career field, but during my second year of college I enrolled in a public policy class and really connected with my professor who helped find my love for the curriculum being taught,” said Lee. “When he suggested that I take an internship over that summer, it happened to be at a law firm, which cemented my passion for the field.”
After graduating from law school, Lee was elected as a local county judge in 2008. He began to renew his interest in serving his country, which led to him pursuing a commission in the Air Force Reserves and joining the Judge Advocate General’s Corps (JAG) in 2011.
“It took me some time to find the right path, but I always felt drawn to government service. The bench gave me that opportunity locally, but I always felt as if there was a greater way to serve,” said Lee. “The Air Force Reserve gave me that opportunity, a way to serve not just my community, but to the nation that has given so much to my family.”
Lee would attend Officer Training School (OTS) at Maxwell Air Force Base, where he received a firsthand point of view of life in the military.
“When I got off the bus at OTS, I had no idea what to expect. It was difficult realizing I would be away from my family for such a period,” said Lee. “Being 32 at the time, it was humbling having instructors in their 20s yelling at me for not having my shoelaces tucked in. Looking back, I am thankful for that experience because it reminded me of the things that I am grateful for now.”
As the Chief Judge of the North Las Vegas Municipal Court, Major Lee can use his civilian experience to benefit the military. Recently, Lee assisted the Air Force Warfare Center Judge Advocate office at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada by allowing JAG officers to utilize his court chambers for court proceedings. As a Citizen Airman, he works alongside his Active-Duty counterparts in bridging the gap between the two systems to achieve Total Force Integration.
“Cooperating with the Active-Duty legal office was amazing,” said Lee. “The Air Force is getting the benefit of both perspectives and in return, I’ve learned so much from my Active-Duty counterparts as well.”
Serving as a Traditional Reservist, Lee found that balancing both civilian and military duty has strengthened his goal in upholding the law and his respect for those beside him.
“As our Staff Judge Advocate, Major Lee brings exceptional depth and breadth of knowledge and experience to our wing,” said U.S. Air Force Col. Shannon Cary, 926th Wing deputy commander. “His distinguished service as a judge in our community further sharpens his perspective, while his consummate professionalism and counsel are truly invaluable to our leaders.”
Rooted in the steadfast belief that justice and law are living principles, Lee has built a career on defending those ideals through his continued service to the country.
“The most rewarding thing has been my service to my country through service to my fellow Airmen,” said Lee. “It’s not an easy path to finding that balance, but at the end of the day we’re doing this to continue the Air Force’s mission and for the love of our country.”
| Date Taken: | 09.12.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 09.23.2025 18:21 |
| Story ID: | 548472 |
| Location: | NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, NEVADA, US |
| Web Views: | 43 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Balancing the Bench: Serving Justice In and Out of Uniform, by SrA Isaiah Pedrazzini, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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