Alumnus Luke Kubosh (J.D. ’23) in UHLC’s John M. O’Quinn Law Building after being commissioned as a Marine Judge Advocate.
Jan. 5, 2026 — University of Houston Law Center alumnus Luke Kubosh (J.D. ’23) was recently commissioned as a Marine Judge Advocate, marking a milestone in a career built with persistence and purpose. The U.S. Marine Corps’ Judge Advocate General Division serves as the military’s legal backbone, with attorneys handling cases involving criminal justice, international law, operational law, ethics, and more.
“Semper Fidelis,” Latin for "Always Faithful", is the official motto of the Corps that unites Marines across generations. Kubosh’s journey reflects that code: a commitment to service coupled with resilience and determination to pursue a challenging calling.
Answering the Call: Why Marine Judge Advocate
“Marines share a unique warrior ethos where the emphasis is on the body and not the individual,” Kubosh said. “I wanted to make a lasting impact not only on myself, but also in the lives of others. Serving as a Marine JAG allows me to achieve this goal.”
Acceptance into the JAG Corps is highly competitive across all the military branches, requiring academic excellence, leadership, and physical fitness. Kubosh attributes his success to not giving up in the face of challenges.
“It took me four times to pass the bar exam. I had to fight tooth and nail,” he said. “Overcoming that and then achieving success here with the Marines has been extremely gratifying to say the least.”
Rooted in Legacy, Driven by Purpose
Following in the footsteps of his father, Paul Kubosh (J.D. ’93), Kubosh began shaping his legal career at the UH Law Center.
“It was my dream to attend UHLC ever since my dad took me to the old arcade at the student center before the current renovations,” he said. “UHLC set the foundation.”
He noted that his Pretrial and Trial Advocacy Courses were critical to his professional development. “These practical application courses were the bedrock for my success as a Marine JAG. I utilize the lessons learned in these courses every day,” Kubosh said.
While in law school, he joined his father’s Kubosh Law Firm as an intern and then as a full-time associate after graduation. The firm specializes in criminal and traffic defense.
Kubosh applied to the Marine Officer Programs in June 2025. While the Marine Officer Programs office is located on the main UH campus, the Houston Marine Officer Selection Team works with students and graduates across the region, including UH Law students and attorneys, who are seeking a pathway into the Marine JAG Corps.
After completing a series of competitive physical fitness tests, academic evaluations, and leadership assessments, Kubosh was selected to attend Officer Candidate School (OCS). He successfully completed the program and was commissioned as a Marine Officer in November.
“Here in this role, I have the unique opportunity to work in all aspects of the legal profession,” said Kubosh. “My current career as a practicing attorney will be greatly benefitted in the way it expands my professional network, allows me to develop as a leader, and to learn a broad spectrum of legal matters ranging from criminal to civil.”
Onward to Quantico: The Journey Ahead
With his commission complete, Kubosh will next attend The Basic School (TBS) in Quantico, Virginia, a six-month program building the foundations of Marine leadership. Following that, he will proceed to the Naval Justice School for specialized legal training before joining his first unit as a Marine Judge Advocate.
For Kubosh, the commission is not just a title, but a calling that is personally meaningful.
“When I reflected on my life, I felt like a piece was missing. I decided to become a Marine JAG to complete myself and fill that missing piece,” Kubosh said. “Becoming a Marine JAG allowed me to grow personally and professionally in ways unparalleled by any opportunity."
He hopes to rejoin his father’s practice after completing his Marine service. Since 2006, 28 UH Law alumni, including Kubosh, have joined the U.S. military’s Judge Advocate General’s Corps immediately after earning their J.D.
What was your most memorable moment at UHLC?
LK: My most memorable moment at UHLC was the Barrister’s Ball and the Kickball Classic. I really enjoyed these events and making memories with lifelong friends.
What made you choose the UH Law Center?
LK: Legacy played a huge factor in selecting UHLC. My father is a successful criminal defense attorney in Houston specializing in traffic ticket defense. It was always my dream to attend UHLC ever since my dad would take me to the old arcade at the student center before the current renovations. Additionally, UHLC is an excellent law school in its own right and was a no-brainer especially with the backdrop of the 4th largest city in America and all the opportunity naturally associated with that.
What advice do you have for current UHLC students?
LK: Law school is tough and so is the bar exam. Just don’t stop and never give in to a desire to take your foot off the gas and give up. Trust the training that you receive at UHLC and the genuine investment of the faculty and staff available to students. You made it this far to get to law school, you already have everything you need to succeed in life within you.
How has the UHLC alumni network contributed to your success?
LK: My peers have been a wonderful source of encouragement for me as I navigated this career choice. Additionally, Professor Megan Davis and Professor Catherine Meshkin are two professors I owe a huge debt to. I endured a hard-fought battle with the bar exam and Professors Davis and Meshkin never gave up on me and stayed invested in my success.
