Our hard-hitting military defense lawyers and court martial attorneys have the experience and firepower necessary to level the playing field.
Elite military defense lawyers, court martial attorneys, and UCMJ lawyers defending Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, Guardians, and Coast Guardsmen worldwide.
Led by Michael Waddington and
Alexandra Gonzalez-Waddington, authors and educators trusted by defense lawyers across the United States.
Watch: Understanding Military Defense Strategies
Learn directly from our legal experts at Gonzalez & Waddington, Attorneys at Law. This video explores key tactics for fighting back in administrative separation boards and court-martials under the UCMJ.
For help with your military legal situation, visit ucmjmilitarylaw.com or call 1-800-921-8607. Serving clients worldwide.
Why service members hire our court-martial attorneys
- Decades of global courtroom experience in contested UCMJ trials and Boards of Inquiry
- Bestselling authors of Kick-Ass Closings, Pattern Cross-Examination for Sexual Assault Cases, and Pattern Cross-Examination of Expert Witnesses
- Educators who train civilian and military defense lawyers across the country
- Featured by major media and consulted by national television programs
- Small caseload with personal attorney attention from start to finish
Compare our results and reputation with any firm, then decide for yourself.
UCMJ lawyers for high-stakes cases
Sexual assault defense
Article 120, 120b, 120c. Credibility challenges, forensic attacks, and narrative strategy.
Domestic violence
Article 128b cases, digital evidence, witness impeachment, and collateral consequences.
Computer and online stings
Digital forensics, undercover operations, entrapment defenses, CSAM allegations.
Violent and combat-related offenses
War-zone incidents, ROE, self-defense, and battlefield context.
Boards and administrative actions
Administrative Separation Boards, Boards of Inquiry, show-cause actions, LORs.
Results you can verify
Read real case outcomes handled by our military defense lawyers and court martial attorneys.
Read verified client reviews:
Worldwide defense for every branch
We defend at Army installations, Air Force bases, Navy bases, Marine Corps bases, and Coast Guard bases across the United States, Europe, the Middle East, and the Pacific.
- United States, Germany, Italy, Spain, United Kingdom, Belgium, the Netherlands
- Japan, South Korea, Guam, Hawaii
- Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, Afghanistan, Iraq
How our UCMJ lawyers build winning defenses
- Early intervention to preserve evidence and prevent charge escalation
- Discovery and digital forensics with targeted expert consultation
- Witness workup and impeachment using proven cross-examination patterns
- Trial theory and narrative strategy that educates and persuades the panel
- Sentencing mitigation focused on career, family, and service record
Frequently asked questions
What does a military defense lawyer do?
A military defense lawyer represents service members under the UCMJ in court-martials, NJP and Article 15s, administrative separation boards, and investigations by CID, NCIS, OSI, CGIS, and MPI.
Why hire a civilian court martial attorney?
Independent counsel is not bound by rank or command influence and can deploy advanced trial strategy and cross-examination techniques developed in high-stakes litigation.
How fast should I hire counsel?
Immediately. Early strategy often prevents charges, shapes investigative narratives, and protects rights that can be waived by delay.
What types of UCMJ cases do you defend?
Article 120 series, Article 128b domestic violence, online stings, CSAM allegations, violent offenses, property crimes, and war-zone incidents.
Do you defend outside the United States?
Yes. We defend across Europe, the Middle East, and the Pacific, including Germany, Italy, Spain, the United Kingdom, Japan, South Korea, Guam, and deployed locations.
Talk to a court martial attorney now
Call 1-800-921-8607 or request a confidential consultation.
Hiring the Best Military Defense Lawyers for Your Case
Choosing the right counsel is the most important decision you will make. These criteria help you separate top trial teams from average representation.
Essential selection criteria
- Documented trial wins in contested UCMJ cases
- Experience in Article 32 hearings and Boards of Inquiry
- Published work that other lawyers rely on for cross examination and trial strategy
- Clear plan for early intervention, discovery, and witness workup
- Small caseload with personal attention by senior counsel
Green flags
- Walks you through a step by step defense plan
- Explains likely charging pathways and collateral risks
- Answers how they impeach prosecution experts and biased witnesses
- Provides realistic outcomes based on fact patterns not slogans
Red flags
- Pushes a quick plea before reviewing evidence
- Promises results or guarantees outcomes
- Hands your case to junior counsel you never met
- Cannot describe recent trials and results
Three step hiring checklist
- Collect documents and timelines including messages, photos, medical records, and orders
- Schedule a confidential consult with senior counsel and demand a written defense roadmap
- Verify experience and recent results then confirm scope, fees, and availability in writing
Ready to talk with senior trial counsel at Gonzalez & Waddington. Call 1-800-921-8607 or request a confidential consultation.
Administrative Boards and Boards of Inquiry
An administrative separation board or a Board of Inquiry determines whether you remain in service, what discharge you receive, and whether adverse findings follow you. The outcome can affect benefits, promotions, and future employment.
What to expect
- Notice of basis for separation and alleged misconduct
- Right to counsel and to present evidence and witnesses
- Panel of officers who hear testimony and make findings
- Possible outcomes include retention, separation with characterization, or other directed actions
Preparation essentials
- Organize service records, evals, awards, and emails that support performance and character
- Identify fact witnesses and character witnesses and secure credible statements early
- Map contradictions in government statements to impeach credibility
- Prepare a concise personal statement that addresses facts and mitigation
Our team prepares you with mock questioning, narrative framing, and targeted impeachment so the board hears your case clearly and fairly. Start your board preparation.
Pitfalls to Avoid When Facing Court Martial or UCMJ
Common mistakes that damage cases
- Talking to investigators without counsel
- Posting on social media about the case
- Contacting witnesses or the accuser directly
- Deleting data or attempting to clean devices
- Ignoring no contact or protective orders
- Waiting to hire counsel until charges are preferred
Immediate protective steps
- Call experienced counsel before speaking to anyone about the facts
- Preserve phones, messages, photos, and accounts
- Write a timeline with dates, locations, and potential witnesses
- Avoid discussing the case except with your lawyer
- Follow all orders and curtail social media activity
Proactive defense starts today. Call 1-800-921-8607 for immediate guidance.
Why hire the lawyers at Gonzalez & Waddington
Our firm is led by Michael Waddington and Alexandra Gonzalez-Waddington. We are trial focused, globally experienced, and dedicated to results.
What sets us apart
- Published books used by defense lawyers in the United States
- Training of civilian and military counsel on cross examination and strategy
- Personal handling of cases from start to finish with a limited caseload
- Experience in Europe, the Middle East, the Pacific, and across the United States
- Case strategies built on forensic analysis, impeachment, and narrative control
Compare our results and reputation with any firm. Then decide who you want at counsel table when it matters most.
Where our military lawyers represent clients
We represent Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, Guardians, and Coast Guardsmen worldwide.
United States
- Army, Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard bases nationwide
- Federal enclaves and joint bases
Europe
- Germany, Italy, Spain, United Kingdom, Belgium, the Netherlands
- Selected locations in Turkey and Cyprus
Middle East
- Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain
- Operational environments as permitted
Pacific
- Japan, South Korea, Guam, Hawaii, Okinawa
To confirm travel and availability for your installation contact our office. Call 1-800-921-8607 or request a consultation.