About DIILS


30 Years of Global Experience

DIILS has nearly 30 years of global experience as the lead US defense SC resource for professional legal engagement with international defense sector personnel. Located in Newport, RI, DIILS is jointly staffed with judge advocates from each branch of the US armed forces, as well as a cadre of experienced DoD civilian attorneys. Since its inception in 1992 as the international training detachment at the Naval Justice School, and subsequent transfer to DSCA in 2000, DIILS has provided legal SC programming for more than 75,000 international military and civilian participants from over 160 countries. During that time the DIILS mission has evolved to now include legal Institutional Capacity Building, congressionally-mandated Human Rights and Law of Armed Conflict training seminars, and resident and mobile educational courses focused on a broad range of Rule of Law subjects under the International Military Education and Training (IMET) program and Regional Defense Combating Terrorism and Irregular Warfare Fellowship Program (RDFP).


Key Personnel

  • Colonel Elizabeth Allen, JAGC, USA, Director
  • Amber Ward, Deputy Director
  • Nate Kearns, Director of Operations
  • John McLoughlin, Director of Strategy, Policy and Planning
  • William Smith, Resident Program Director

Contact Info

  • 441 Elliot Avenue, Newport RI 02841-1531
  • 401-841-6000 (DSN 312-841-6000); Fax: 401-841-4570 (DSN 312-841-4570)
  • Message Address: DEFINSTINLEGSTUDIES NEWPORT RI