A graduate of the United States Military Academy, West Point, Judge Sullivan served in the Army for five years, qualifying as a tanker, an Airborne Ranger, a Ranger Instructor, and a Jumpmaster. He was awarded the Bronze Star, the Air Medal and other decorations for his service in Vietnam, and was inducted into the U.S. Army Ranger Hall of Fame.


After the Army, Judge Sullivan graduated from Georgetown University Law Center, serving as an editor of the Georgetown Law Journal in his senior year. He clerked for the Chief Judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals, worked at the Patton Boggs law firm, and was part of the White House’s legal defense team during the Watergate investigation.