Timothy Kotsis

In 2006, Timothy J. Kotsis earned his J.D. from CUA’s Columbus School of Law with a certificate in Law and Public Policy. Three short years later, Timothy was halfway around the globe in Iraq, putting his knowledge of law and public policy to use as an advisor for the Department of State.

Timothy recently returned from an 18-month tour in Iraq. There, this CUA alumnus was working for the Department of State as the senior rule-of-law adviser to the Basrah Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT). PRTs work directly with Iraqi counterparts to establish transparent government, economic security and rule of law throughout the provinces of Iraq.

Timothy credits his CUA education for shaping the course of his professional career. "A number of available courses helped guide my general interest in the dynamic between the law and policy towards my decision to pursue a career in the areas of rule of law and the law of armed conflict. Courses such as Peacekeeping Operations, Law of War, National Security Law and International Law were directly relevant to my work in Iraq. They helped ground my understanding of a post-conflict environment and gave me the skills I needed to balance our broader national security mission with assisting the Iraqi legal community to modernize its system."

As a PRT adviser, Timothy was responsible for the rule-of-law mission in Basrah, a province of great commercial and strategic importance to United States rebuilding efforts in the region. During his tenure, Timothy oversaw judicial training in forensic evidence, monitored prisons and detention facilities, and secured funding for a clinic to provide legal representation to persons in pre-trial detention.

Timothy says that his Catholic University education helped him play an instrumental role in the Iraqi peace process. "The excellent legal education I received at CUA provided me with the fundamental knowledge and skills I required, [and] being a lawyer with the U.S. Mission in Iraq afforded me the opportunity to participate in a nation’s transition from tyranny to democracy."

Since returning from Iraq, Timothy had a brief opportunity to enjoy some quality time with his wife, Ellen, before receiving his commission in the Army Judge Advocate General Corps and being assigned to XVIII Airborne in Charlottesville, Va. In spite of his busy schedule, this globe-trotting alumnus never loses sight of his Catholic University pride and remains thankful for the opportunities it has afforded him.

"I feel privileged to be part of the CUA community," he says. "The emphasis on hardcore legal skills and a commitment of service to the community and country is what I think being a lawyer is all about. The education and experience continues to provide me with exceptional opportunities in my career."