​Samantha “Sam” Arrington Sliney is the Southeastern Regional State Liaison for the Defense State Liaison Office. The Defense State Liaison Office provides state policymakers with expert insight on priorities affecting military families and their quality of life. This initiative is part of the Defense Department’s efforts to identify and address the most pressing needs of service members and military families. She is also a New Jersey Air National Guard Judge Advocate (JAG). Sam previously served on active duty for 10 years as an Air Force JAG and as an Attorney Advisor at the Joint Special Operations Command. She is married to an Army soldier and a mom to three kids. Sam has been a long-time member and devoted board member of the North Carolina Association of Women Attorneys. She began her membership as a law student in 2010. She began her service on the Board of Directors in 2018 as the Co-Chair of the Government Action Committee and remained on the board until her term as the Immediate Past President expired in 2023. As the Immediate Past President, Sam created an advocacy partnership between NCAWA and MSJDN that resulted in the waiver of bar application fees for military spouse attorneys applying to the North Carolina bar, contributing to the opportunity for military spouse attorneys to apply for licensure during military moves free of charge. Sam is also an active member of the Department of the Air Force Barrier Analysis Working Group, the Women’s Initiative Team, where she champions initiatives that eliminate barriers impacting women’s propensity to serve in the Department of the Air Force and Department of Defense. After her appointment as the Co-Chair in 2021, Sam’s leadership has led to the elimination of 20+ legacy barriers that negatively impacted women’s propensity to serve. Personally, Sam has led the charge for increasing lactation support for women in the military to include reimbursement for breastmilk transport costs during work travel; a first ever benefit offered to service members and federal civilian employees. She is passionate about creating a Department of Defense that provides the resources and support necessary to facilitate the success of all service members. Specifically, Sam advocates for equitable support and resources for women during all phases of life, particularly pregnancy and post-partum. A graduate of North Carolina Central University School of Law (J.D.), Western Michigan University Thomas Cooley Law School (LL.M.) and Methodist University (B.A.), Sam is admitted to practice law in Florida, North Carolina, and the District of Columbia.