When Michael Segal ’19 left the U.S. Air Force after years as an F-15 fighter pilot, he set out to find a new way to serve.

"Leaving the Air Force felt less like stepping away from a profession and more like changing the domain in which I wanted to serve," says Segal, who now leads Eagle Law Group, a firm specializing in corporate law, government contracting, and commercial litigation focused on aerospace and defense companies.

Segal’s path to law began with a practical revelation. In 2014, while still serving in the Air Force, Segal bought a bar in West Los Angeles called the Arsenal. Managing the business taught him the importance and power of skilled legal counsel. Segal’s childhood friend who was an attorney and mentor helped guide him through the maze of liquor licensing, lease negotiations, employment issues, and zoning regulations.

"His ability to move seamlessly between all these different areas and translate dense regulatory problems into clear, actionable solutions was remarkably instructive," Segal says. "I wanted to be that kind of advisor – the person who helps entrepreneurs solve real business problems, not just in theory but in practice."

That experience crystallized what Segal wanted from a legal education: not just doctrinal training but practical tools he could apply immediately.

At UCLA School of Law, Segal brought the habits of a fighter pilot with him: meticulous planning and clear communication under pressure. He approached briefs and memos the way he once approached mission plans, building in contingency thinking and doing exhaustive preparation.

"In the cockpit you learn to turn instrument readings and dense systems data into a single, actionable decision," he says. "In law school, I used that same discipline to turn statutes, regulations, and administrative records into persuasive legal narratives."

The Business Law and Policy Specialization gave Segal the foundation he needed – entity formation, corporate governance, contracts, and securities law. But it was Segal’s experience working in the Veterans Legal Clinic that allowed him to translate his operational experience into legal advocacy.

Representing veterans in VA benefit appeals reinforced what Segal already knew from military service: legal knowledge becomes meaningful only when applied to real-world needs.

As president of the Veterans’ Law Society, he helped build community among veteran students navigating the transition from service to law.

"Squadron life taught me how to lead and coordinate teams under pressure," he says. "I relied on that in clinic teams to divide responsibility, maintain quality control, and keep everyone focused."

That operational mindset shapes everything about Eagle Law Group's approach to client service. Segal doesn't just advise aerospace and defense companies on regulatory compliance, he understands the mission-driven decision-making processes that define these organizations.

Segal remains deeply connected to the world he advises. He continues to fly regularly, maintains his flight instructor certification, and until retiring last year, served in operational roles with the U.S. Air Force Reserve, working with numerous air and space-based systems. That experience now informs a significant portion of his practice with space companies across Southern California's aerospace economy.

"That firsthand familiarity allows me to anticipate risks, identify practical solutions, and communicate with clients in their own technical language," he says.

It's a perspective shaped by years of service – one that Segal continues to apply beyond his legal practice through his work with BizVets LA, a nonprofit supporting business-oriented and professional veterans and contributing to the broader community.

“Veterans are trained to solve problems, serve others, and stay focused on objectives even in uncertainty,” Segal says. “Seeing these qualities drive success in business and law is a constant reminder of how much veterans bring to every professional setting they enter.”