Campbell Law 50th Anniversary Spotlight: Stuart Couch ’96
Stuart Couch ‘96 is an Administrative Law Judge with the National Transportation Safety Board. Couch grew up in Asheboro, earned his bachelor’s degree from Duke University in 1987, and a Master of Laws in litigation from The George Washington University in 2008. Following his graduation from Campbell Law, he was certified as a U.S. Marine Corps judge advocate and served as a prosecutor in several high-profile courts-martial, and later a judge on the Navy-Marine Corps Court of Criminal Appeals. From 2003 to 2006, Couch was assigned as a senior prosecutor in the Office of Military Commissions to conduct proceedings against selected detainees held at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. His experiences there were portrayed by actor Benedict Cumberbatch in the movie “The Mauritanian.” After he retired from the Marines as a Lieutenant Colonel, he went on to serve as an Immigration Judge in Charlotte and an Appellate Immigration Judge on the Board of Immigration Appeals.
Why Campbell Law?
Couch chose Campbell for three reasons: his decision to become a Judge Advocate in the U.S. Marine Corps, its location in the state of North Carolina, and his desire to become a trial lawyer.
On practice
Couch has served as a judge on four different courts over the past 20 years. He enjoys the work he does for the challenges it brings to discern the law and make informed decisions based upon it. He also enjoys working with people from all walks of life.
A lesson that stuck
The lesson Couch learned was to “Maintain a balanced credibility bank account. You’re either making deposits or writing checks, so make sure you have enough credibility to get what you need.”
People who shaped you
Couch mentions Professor Tom Anderson, for teaching him what a trial lawyer should know and how they should act, both inside and outside of the courtroom. He says that Professor Anderson was unfailingly kind to everyone, always prepared, and set the example of “polite professionalism” as a model of behavior for his law students.
Advice to current students
Couch says to “always remember that your law degree — and the bar license which comes with it — belongs to you and not the person or entity who is paying you to use it.”
The next 50 years
Couch feels that Campbell Law’s next 50 years should have a balance of tradition and innovation. Campbell should hold fast to its tradition of excellence in preparing its students for the practice of law, and teaching them respect for the clients they will serve once they become lawyers. While holding these traditions, Campbell should be at the forefront of technological innovation in how its graduates practice law.
Sidebar
Currently reading: “The Guns of August” by Barbara Tuchman.
Most adventurous thing: Piloted airplanes to 15 countries on four continents.
Favorite Raleigh spot: House Creek Beverage Co.
Proudest moment: Retirement from the Marine Corps in July 2009.