Meet Jack Rives

Jack L. Rives received both his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and law school degrees from the University of Georgia.

Following graduation from law school, he began a 33-year career in the United States Air Force as a military attorney, or judge advocate (JAG). He served as The Judge Advocate General of the United States Air Force, the senior U.S. Air Force attorney, and he was the first military attorney to attain the three-star rank of lieutenant general. He served as legal adviser to the secretary of the Air Force and all officers and agencies of the Department of the Air Force, and he oversaw an annual judge advocate staff budget of $47 million. Jack led and managed some 4,600 legal professionals worldwide, including 2,600 active duty, reserve component, and civilian lawyers.

His service took him to every state and to more than 50 countries. Among his military awards and decorations are the Distinguished Service Medal with oak leaf cluster and the Defense Superior Service Medal. His military bio can be found at Lt Gen Jack Rives.

 

On Law Day (May 1), 2010, Jack began serving as the Executive Director (equivalent to CEO) of the American Bar Association. He had overall management responsibility for staff operations at the Association’s headquarters in Chicago, at its Washington, DC office, and at program sites in California, Texas, and some 60 countries throughout the world. He oversaw a staff of more than 1,000, a consolidated budget of over $200 million, and total assets of $350 million. He ensured the effective development and direct implementation of the Association’s strategic goals. He helped to ensure the ABA’s position as the largest voluntary association of lawyers in the world.

 

On September 1, 2023, Jack began his current duties as the President of Rocket Legal Professional Services, a subsidiary of Rocket Lawyer, which makes the law affordable and accessible. Since 2008, Rocket Lawyer has helped over 30 million people create more than 50 million legal documents and provided answers to their legal questions. Jack spearheads the company’s Alternative Business Structure initiatives and plays a key role executing AI strategy and solutions that accelerate productivity while being well-regulated and controlled by human judgment.

 

Rives is a member of the Georgia Bar Association and the American Law Institute. In addition to his service on the Leadership Crucible Foundation board, he currently serves on the boards of sonKsuru (DBA https://qusmart.ai/) and as President of the Judge Advocates Foundation (https://jaa.org/judge-advocates-foundation/). His prior board service includes the Board of Trustees of the Air Force Aid Society.