This month’s journal marks a turning point for Armed Citizens’ Legal Defense Network and its online members’ journal. Our lead article, the first in a two-part series exploring the lessons we can learn from Kyle Rittenhouse’s trial, is researched and written by our newest Network team member, Art Joslin, J.D.
This is just the beginning! As the newest member of the Network team, Art brings with him many talents honed through a lifetime of experience across fields as diverse as his recent completion of his law degree from Thomas Cooley Law School at Western Michigan University, musician, pipefitter, firefighter, law enforcement officer, martial artist, self-defense instructor and security professional.
Art’s newly minted Juris Doctor degree is only his most recent involvement in post-graduate schooling. He holds three degrees in music with a master’s degree from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, and a doctorate from the University of Illinois. He is currently immersed in preparation to take the bar exam and add the title “Esquire” to his Ph.D. and J.D.
Even without his legal training, Art would bring a wide range of applicable experience to his new role at the Network, having worked as security and close protection specialist in the security and legal services industry. He is skilled in verbal judo, firearms handling, close protection, executive protection, armed security work, and has been a bar bouncer. His experience includes working crowd control, venue security, and working across the force continuum has nurtured his strong ability to rapidly de-escalate situations. He has provided executive protection, armed and unarmed, for high and medium risk talent escort, and done high risk armed escort and driver for the jewelry trade. He is a level four instructor in Commando Krav Maga (CKM) with 35 years’ experience and training in Hapkido and Brazilian Jui Jitsu.
Art is a graduate of the prestigious Force Science Institute certification, is a TASER International Instructor, and holds a number of firearms instructor certifications. During his studies at Cooley Law School, Art worked as research law clerk, bailiff and court officer at the 4th Circuit court in Jackson County, MI. He particularly enjoys legal research, a talent he will bring to his columns and articles in our online journal. He also enjoys recreational activities with his sons, time spent with his German Shepherds, and sharing his musical talents singing the national anthem during opening ceremonies for various public events and providing other musical entertainment.
In addition to contributing educational content in our monthly journal, watch for an expansion into video blogging on our website, a project in which Network President Marty Hayes and John Murray, our IT Director are enthusiastically partnering. We look forward to drawing on Art’s experience and training in a number of other Network efforts, as well. While we await his Spring of 2022 move to the Network’s headquarters where he will be available to assist Network members more directly, we hope our members will enjoy his video and journal contributions.
To read more of this month's journal, please click here.