Appalachian School of Law Distinguished Alumni: Captain Artie Vaughn

Distinguished Alumni 

of the Appalachian School of Law

I am launching a series of profiles of our graduates who have distinguished careers as public servants. Accordingly, I will profile alumni serving as legislators, judges, judicial clerks, magistrates, administrative law judges, Commonwealth Attorneys, Deputy and Assistant Commonwealth Attorneys, public defenders, members of the Judge Advocates General Corps, and graduates holding other positions in state and federal government.  

Hold on!  We have so many grads holding these distinguished positions, it will take me a while to complete this series.  I hope they help current and prospective students map legal careers that best serve the students and the people they are eager to serve. 

And, on the horizon?  I've planned profiles of distinguished alumni in private practice.

So, here is my first profile.  Enjoy!

CAPTAIN M. ARTHUR “ARTIE” VAUGHN II

Captain M. Arthur “Artie” Vaughn II is an Area Defense Counsel (ADC) at Travis AFB, California. He provides defense representation to Title 10 service members facing military justice and administrative actions.

In 2002, he graduated from Auburn University in Auburn, Alabama, with a Bachelor of Arts in Criminology and Criminal Justice. 

In 2007, Captain Vaughn graduated magna cum laude from Appalachian School of Law in Grundy, Virginia. During law school, Captain Vaughn clerked for the 22nd Judicial District Attorney’s Office in Tennessee. Additionally, he participated in the Army JAG Corps Summer Internship Program at Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Alabama.

After law school, Captain Vaughn worked for the firm of Hall, Conerly & Bolvig, P.C. in Birmingham, Alabama practicing insurance defense.  He worked primarily in the areas of Automobile Torts, Toxic Torts, Products Liability, Transportation Law, Landlord Tenant Law, and Construction Law.

Captain Vaughn is married to the former Leeatra Ann Lepley of Birmingham, Alabama. He and Leeatra have a 4 year old son, Tripp, and a 2 year old daughter, Kimberly Grace.

Additional Education:

• Commissioned Officer Training, Maxwell, AFB, Alabama (2008).
• Air Force Judge Advocate Staff Officer Course, Maxwell, AFB, Alabama (2008).
• Squadron Officer School (correspondence) (2010).
• Squadron Officer School (In Residence) (2010).

Assignments:

• August 2008 – February 2011, Assistant Staff Judge Advocate (Chief of Operations Law/ Magistrate Court/Military Justice/General Law/Deputy Chief of Legal Assistance), Warner Robins Air Logistics Center, Robins AFB, GA. 
• February 2011 – July 2013, Assistant Staff Judge Advocate (Chief of Civil Law/Operations Law), 60th Air Mobility Wing, Travis AFB, CA.
• July 2013 – present, Area Defense Counsel, AFLOA/ADC, Travis AFB, CA. 

Major Awards and Decorations:

• Air Force Commendation Medal w/ device.
• AF Oustanding Unit Award.
• Longevity of Service Medal.
• National Defense Service Medal.
• Global War on Terrorism Service Medal.
• AF Training Ribbon.

Bar Admissions:

• Alabama (2007).
• Federal District Courts – Northern, Middle, and Southern Districts of Alabama (2007).
• Air Force Court of Appeals (2008).
• Court of Appeals for the Armed Force (2008).