Staff Sergeant Kris Carlson

As a naturalized American, Kris Carlson wanted to serve the country that had become his home. To do this, he enlisted in the U.S. Army one year prior to the attacks on September 11, 2001, volunteering for the Special Forces. In this role, Kris worked to defend American interests by serving in both Afghanistan and Iraq.

Now as a law student, Kris works to defend his fellow veterans. With the assistance of other veteran-law students, Kris founded a veterans advocacy legal clinic at the University of Arizona. The clinic works in conjunction with the Veterans Administration to provide pro bono legal services to Tucson’s veterans.

Through his work, Kris aspires to help restore public faith in the legal profession by serving as an example that lawyers are motivated by a desire to protect rather than being motivated by greed.