WAUKESHA, Wis.—  A judge in Waukesha County is serving both his community and his country. Judge Jack Melvin is a recently elected judge balancing being on active duty, while at the bench,

J. Arthur Melvin III is who he is known as in his courtroom: A distinguished judge of honor. 

Outside of his robe and courtroom, he continues his job as an attorney, but with the Wisconsin National Guard.

“I was able to transition very smoothly with that foundation knowledge and quickly learn what I needed to learn to use here on a daily basis,” Waukesha County circuit court judge branch five, Jack Melvin says.

With 16 years of service in the National Guard and serving as a Marine prior, his work as a lawyer has taken him many places.

“I jokingly say I have practiced law in Egypt, Jordan, Syria, Iraq, Kuwait, Italy, Germany. I’ve practiced law in all places and have clients from all walks of life because of it,” Melvin says.

Working as a citizen-soldier means Melvin had to take time away from his bench in Waukesha and serve his state as an attorney for the guard. He's been working with soldiers and commanders on many issues, such as civil disturbances across the state, this past year.

“My job there is to let the soldiers know what the rules of use of force is and walk them through scenarios, someone shoes a gun at you, what do you do? Someone is in a fight out in a crowd, what do you do?” Melvin says.

After over a decade of service in the guard, Melvin continues to work overtime to serve his community and country, simply for the love of service.

“It all goes back to why I originally wanted to join and that was a desire to serve, a sense of service to a country who has given me so much,” Melvin says.

He continues to give back, both as a soldier and as a judge.