From Law School to the Corps: A Journey of Service
As the United States Marine Corps celebrates its 250th anniversary, I am reminded of how the Corps has truly shaped my life, both personally and professionally. My journey into the Marines began during law school at Georgetown University, where I decided I wanted a career that balanced the intellectual rigor of law with a physical component. There were only two Marines at Georgetown at the time, and one of them posted flyers for the Judge Advocate Program in our mailboxes. That was my introduction to the Marine Corps, and the more I learned about its values and mission, the more I felt compelled to serve.
In the summer of 1994, while still in law school, I was selected to attend Officer Candidate School in Quantico. From that moment, I was hooked, and it has been an unbreakable bond ever since—like becoming a vampire, there’s no return. Becoming a Marine was far more than a career choice; it was the greatest achievement of my life and a transformative experience that shaped my character.
I grew up on the South Side of Chicago, during the Great Migration, and later graduated as valedictorian from Hyde Park Career Academy before attending Harvard and Georgetown. After law school, I served as a prosecutor in Massachusetts and later on active duty as a Marine Corps prosecutor at Marine Corps Air Station New River. Over the years, I had the privilege of serving in Quantic, Virginia, Okinawa, Japan, and Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. I spent seven years in a litigation firm before opening my own practice and ultimately being appointed a judge in Massachusetts in 2009.
As I reflect on the Marine Corps' 250 years of service, I am filled with pride for the incredible legacy I am part of and for the profound impact it has had on my life. Serving as a Marine has been my most significant metamorphosis and continues to define who I am today.
About the Author
Retired Justice Shannon Frison is a Marine Corps Major and Judge Advocate whose career reflects both military and legal excellence. She commissioned into the Marine Corps in 1994 after completing Officer Candidates School and went on to serve as a prosecutor at MCAS New River, later mobilizing twice in support of the Global War on Terror in Hawaii and Japan. Over her service, she tried high-profile cases in military courts across the U.S. and overseas.
Beyond the Corps, Justice Frison served 15 years on the Massachusetts bench—including as the youngest judge on the Superior Court—and has been a powerful advocate for justice, diversity, and equity throughout her career. A Harvard and Georgetown graduate, she continues to lead through her reopened law firm, public speaking, and mentorship, carrying forward the Marine Corps’ legacy of service and leadership into every arena of her life.
