Steven J. Morello facts for kids
Steven J. Morello is an American lawyer. He served as the top lawyer for the United States Army from 2001 to 2004. This important job is called the General Counsel of the Army.
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Early Life and Education
Steven J. Morello's mother was a member of the The Sault Ste Tribe of Chippewa Indians in Michigan. He grew up with a connection to his Native American heritage.
Mr. Morello went to Georgetown University. He earned his first degree there in 1974. While studying, he also worked for Senator Philip Hart. Senator Hart was a politician from Michigan.
Later, Mr. Morello studied law at the University of Detroit Mercy. He received his law degree (called a Juris Doctor or J.D.) in 1977. He also earned a business degree from Boston University.
Career in Law and Government
From 1978 to 1987, Mr. Morello worked as a judge advocate in the Judge Advocate General's Corps, United States Army. This means he was a lawyer for the U.S. Army.
After leaving the Army, he worked as a lawyer for different companies. In 1991, he became the main lawyer, or General Counsel, for Prechter Holdings. He held this job until 2001.
Serving the U.S. Army
In 2001, President of the United States George W. Bush chose Mr. Morello for a big role. He was nominated to be the first Native American General Counsel of the Army. After the Senate approved him, he started the job. He served from 2001 until September 2004.
He began his role just six weeks before the September 11 attack on the Pentagon. This was a very challenging time for the country.
Work with Native American Tribes and Energy
After his time with the Army, Mr. Morello continued to serve. From 2004 to 2006, he became the General Counsel for his own tribe. This was the The Sault Ste Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians.
From 2007 to 2009, he worked for the United States Department of Energy. He helped with relations between the government and Native American tribes. He also led the new Office of Indian Energy Policy and Planning. This office focused on energy issues for Native American communities.
Since 2009, Mr. Morello has run his own law firm. It is called Native Law Group.
