United States Navy Lieutenant Commander (LCDR) Tom Caruso and United States Marine Corps Major (Maj) Josh Keefe both graduated from Syracuse University College of Law with a Juris Doctorate degree and a master’s in public administration from the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs in 2014. While first-year law students, LCDR Caruso and Maj Keefe established the Betty and Michael D. Wohl Veterans Legal Clinic whose mission is to provide pro-bono representation to veterans and their families who are seeking benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) or upgrading a military discharge through the various military branches of service. They also founded a student group called VISION (Veterans Issues, Support Initiative and Outreach Network) and created Valor Day, an event where veterans could receive free professional services. Their stories of service to country, university, and others are most notable.
U.S. Navy Lieutenant Commander (LCDR) Tom Caruso is a proud Utica, New York native who served eight years on active duty in the Navy Judge Advocate General’s Corps from 2014 to 2022. LCDR Caruso held some of the Navy’s most demanding legal positions, including serving as Staff Judge Advocate for the Navy SEALs and the Submarine Force. During his active-duty service, LCDR Carusso supported 13 joint operational exercises around the globe, including the Amphibious Task Force aboard the USS Bataan.
LCDR Caruso’s leadership and dedication earned him numerous honors, including being named the Navy’s Outstanding Military Attorney of the Year in 2017, as well as Junior Officer of the Year and Legal Assistance Attorney of the Year. His previous civilian awards include the Syracuse Law Leadership Award, the Syracuse University’s Law Honors Award, and the Onondaga County’s Pro Bono Service Award. LCDR Caruso is authorized to wear the Navy Commendation Medal (4 awards), the Navy Achievement Medal (2 awards), and various other awards.
Today, LCDR Caruso continues his service in the Navy Reserve as Staff Judge Advocate to the Atlantic Undersea Test and Evaluation Center in the Bahamas, while also advising other operational commands along the East Coast. In his civilian career, Tom serves as General Counsel for Mirabito Energy Products, a company that proudly supports veteran organizations such as Honor Flight and Folds of Honor.
United States Marine Corps Major Josh Keefe was born in Rochester, NY. He graduated from Officer Candidate School and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Marine Corps in August 2011. Following Officer Candidate School, Maj Keefe received orders to Syracuse University where he earned his juris doctor from Syracuse University College of Law and a master’s degree in public administration from the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs. While at Syracuse University, Major Keefe was a University Fellow, served as president of the Student Bar Association.
After graduating from Syracuse University in 2014, Major Keefe returned to active duty in the United States Marine Corps. His duty stations include Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton; Marine Corps Base Quantico, and the Washington (DC) Navy Yard. At Camp Pendleton, Maj Keefe served as a legal assistance attorney, trial counsel, and officer-in-charge. In July 2018, Maj Keefe deployed overseas with the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) on a WESTPAC 18-2 deployment as the deputy staff judge advocate. During this deployment, he served overseas in INDOPACOM, AFRICOM, CENTCOM, and EUCOM and supported Operation Inherent Resolve.
Maj Keefe reported to Headquarters and Support Battalion, Marine Corps Base Quantico in July 2019 and served as a Complex Trial Counsel and the Regional Victims’ Legal Counsel, National Capital Region. In July 2022, Maj Keefe reported to Washington Navy Yard where he served as Appellate Defense Counsel and Branch Head at Code 45, Navy and Marine Corps Appellate Review Activity (NAMARA), working under the cognizance of the Judge Advocate General, U.S. Navy.
In September 2025, Major Keefe transitioned from active duty to the reserve component, where he now serves in the United States Marine Corps Reserves. Maj Keefe is married to wife, Jenna, and they have a daughter named Emma.
