Over 27 Years of Litigation Experience Across the Country and Around the World
2026 Broadway San Diego, CA 92102US
Jeremiah J. Sullivan, III
Curriculum Vita
Jeremiah Joseph Sullivan, III, was born in Boston, MA and graduated from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and then received his Juris Doctorate from the New England School of Law, Boston, MA. Mr. Sullivan was commissioned as a Navy Judge Advocate (JAG) in August 1993.
Mr. Sullivan reported to his first duty station at Naval Legal Service Office Central, New Orleans Detachment, where he served as a defense counsel. He litigated felony cases in Louisiana, Texas, Mississippi, Florida, and Tennessee. Mr. Sullivan next served at Naval Legal Service Office, Europe and Southwest Asia, Naples, Italy where he advanced to Senior Defense Counsel for all of Europe and Southwest Asia. During this tour, Mr. Sullivan litigated cases throughout Italy, Spain, Greek Islands, and Egypt. Subsequently, Mr. Sullivan transferred to the prosecutor's office where he continued to excel in the courtroom. Most notably, Mr. Sullivan prosecuted the high-profile homicide case of United States v. Sharon Y. Nelson, 52 MJ 516 (N.M.Ct.Crim.App. 1999). As a consequence of this landmark decision, the Navy-Marine Corps Court of Criminal Appeals became the first service appellate court for the United States armed forces to define when life begins for the purpose of prosecution of murder under the Uniform Code of Military Justice. The case was affirmed by the United States Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces. Mr. Sullivan reported to his final active duty tour at Naval Special Warfare Group ONE, headquartered at the Naval Amphibious Base, Coronado, CA, where he served as the Staff Judge Advocate for a major command and it six component SEAL commands (SEAL Teams ONE, THREE, and FIVE, SEAL Delivery Vehicle Team ONE, and Naval Special Warfare Units ONE and THREE). He was responsible for the training of Navy SEALs in the Rules of Engagement, Law of War, International Law, and the Law of Armed Conflict. Mr. Sullivan was honorably discharged from active duty in 1999.
As a Reservist, Mr. Sullivan ultimately promoted to the rank of Captain and has served as a Judge Advocate with Civil Support Activity 209, Washington, DC; Naval Legal Service Office Southwest, Detachment 119, San Diego, CA; Naval Special Warfare Group ONE, Coronado, CA; Naval Special Warfare Command, Coronado, CA; Naval Legal Service Office Southwest, Detachment 219, Port Hueneme, CA; Naval Legal Service Office Central, New Orleans, LA; Naval Legal Service Office Southeast, Charleston, SC; Naval Legal Service Office Northwest, Bremerton, WA; Navy-Marine Corps Trial Judiciary, Washington, DC; Naval Justice School, Newport, RI; Regional Legal Service Office Hawaii, Pearl Harbor, HI; and Navy Marine Corps Appellate Defense, Washington, DC.
Mr. Sullivan was sworn in as a Military Judge in 2011. While serving as a Trial Judge, Judge Sullivan presided over general courts-martial in California, Washington, DC, Connecticut, and Japan.
Upon completion of his active duty service, Mr. Sullivan relocated to Washington, DC where he resided on Capitol Hill. He further sharpened his trial skills in the Felony Division of the Office of the Public Defender, Annapolis, Maryland where he litigated over 380 felony cases. Most significantly, Mr. Sullivan tried a death penalty case in the matter of State of Maryland v. John Ashby, Case No. K-2000-1931. After delivering his closing argument, the jury found Mr. Sullivan's client, "Not Guilty" of First-Degree Murder, "Not Guilty" of Second-Degree Murder and "Not Guilty" of Manslaughter. Mr. Sullivan achieved a full jury acquittal of all charges in a death penalty case.
In 2002, Mr. Sullivan returned to San Diego, California and established the Law Offices of Jeremiah J. Sullivan, III and quickly continued his track record of proven success. In 2003, Mr. Sullivan was retained by a cast member of the MTV reality show, "Real World" who was prosecuted for assaulting a Marine outside of a bar in Pacific Beach. In 2004, Mr. Sullivan obtained a "Not Guilty" verdict for a Marine in a complex "shaken baby" case. During 2004 and 2005, Mr. Sullivan received nationwide attention when he represented two Navy SEALs who were wrongfully implicated in the death of an Iraqi enemy prisoner of war at the infamous Abu Ghraib prison. Both of Mr. Sullivan's clients were fully exonerated. In 2006, Mr. Sullivan gained international attention when he was retained by clients in both the Hamdaniya and Haditha war crimes cases. In 2018, Mr. Sullivan was retained by the Officer in Charge (OIC) of Alpha Platoon, SEAL Team SEVEN, who was charged with war crimes along with his Leading Chief Petty Officer. All charges against the OIC were dismissed after some pivotal Tweets from the President of the United States.
Mr. Sullivan has lectured at the U.S. Naval Academy, Naval War College, and Naval Justice School. He has also served as a trial advocacy instructor in Hawaii, Florida, Washington, and California. Mr. Sullivan is active within the local community where he provides pro bono services to the Paralyzed Veterans of America and to our military.
Law Practice Expansion
The Law Offices of Jeremiah J. Sullivan, III has expanded to provide legal services to our military community. Over the years, Mr. Sullivan has developed strategic alliances with experienced practitioners to ensure exceptional legal services.
Worldwide Assignable
Mr. Sullivan continues to travel across the country and around the world representing our military.