Our hard-hitting court-martial lawyers have the experience & firepower to level the playing field.
Our military defense lawyers aggressively defend Army, Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard criminal cases worldwide. Led by high profile criminal defense attorneys, Michael Waddington, and Alexandra González-Waddington, we are one of the most experienced military defense law firms in the world.
Having been involved in some of the highest-profile court-martial cases from the “War on Sexual Assault” and the “War on Terror,” our lawyers have an extensive and winning track record of taking on and beating military prosecution teams.
We fight like gladiators to protect our clients.
- NOT GUILTY! Lt Col w/23 years sent to a General Court Martial for positive Urinalysis, do not fight this battle alone! I was facing 2 counts of UCMJ 112a, being a convicted felon, up to 10 years in prison and a dismissal. When I was arrested, I was completely shocked and knew that I needed counsel and not to say anything, but that was the extent of my knowledge. I had never been in trouble and now I am being told, I will lose everything. I am a single parent, facing not only losing my retirement, but my VA benefits, even my house. I did my research, took a long look at everything I could find, I didn’t want a good... read moreI was facing 2 counts of UCMJ 112a, being a convicted felon, up to 10 years in prison and a dismissal. When I was arrested, I was completely shocked and knew that I needed counsel and not to say anything, but that was the extent of my knowledge. I had never been in trouble and now I am being told, I will lose everything. I am a single parent, facing not only losing my retirement, but my VA benefits, even my house. I did my research, took a long look at everything I could find, I didn’t want a good lawyer, I wanted the very best lawyer there is. When comparing up to $4 million in retirement benefits and paying up to $50,000 to have your life back, you do not “skimp” on getting good enough. You get the absolute most experienced, best trial council there is, that is Michael Waddington.Anonymous
The government only needs probably cause to take you to a general court martial, a positive urinalysis is that probable cause. I did not hire Mr. Waddington to find me a plea deal, I hired Mr. Waddington because he is the very best trial defense lawyer there is. There was not a close second that I found. He is routinely ranked in the top 100 lawyers in the country, he has defended more federal cases, actually fought it out in court, than anyone I could find. Do not take being charged by the government lightly. The government has unlimited resources and time. Do not try to beat the government alone, get someone who will fight for you, someone who does this job only for service members, get someone with honor and integrity, get Michael Waddington. Everyone wants to win, I was more concerned about that than how, but Michael Waddington did it above board, by the book, with integrity and defended me in a way that impressed the prosecution, the judge and the 8 Colonels on the panel. Michael is an honest person, an excellent lawyer, and someone you will never regret hiring. He is one of the good guys, trust him completely, he will not let you down. After 24 years of service, I am going to retire honorably and get to watch my kids grow up and I owe it to Michael Waddington. read lessUS Air Force21 May 2022 - Top Tier Representation I want to start by saying I am extremely satisfied with the work of Michael and Alexandra, you guys are an amazing team and I am so thankful for you both.E
I (Staff NCO in the Army) waited until 1 week before the Article 39 hearing to schedule a consultation with Michael and Alexandra; I wish I had done so from the beginning. I was dealing with a lot of psychological issues from the allegations, unanswered questions, and uncertainties. Bringing them onto my team provided immediate relief, they helped me to think clearly and focus on the goal of winning my... read moreI want to start by saying I am extremely satisfied with the work of Michael and Alexandra, you guys are an amazing team and I am so thankful for you both.
I (Staff NCO in the Army) waited until 1 week before the Article 39 hearing to schedule a consultation with Michael and Alexandra; I wish I had done so from the beginning. I was dealing with a lot of psychological issues from the allegations, unanswered questions, and uncertainties. Bringing them onto my team provided immediate relief, they helped me to think clearly and focus on the goal of winning my case.
In the weeks leading up to my Court martial, the Waddingtons and my detailed attorney revealed numerous inconsistencies. All I had to do at this point was show up and explain what actually happened. Naturally, lies don't make sense especially when the are compounding on each other. This all held true during the court proceedings. Long story short, my accuser got on the stand and gave her well rehearsed testimony for the prosecutor. When Michael got up there to do cross, he was calm and slowly started peeling apart her layers and layers of deceit. There were dozens of inconsistencies, the majority of which were blatant lies or cover-ups and even crimes which were highlighted for the panel to see. The Court room is truly Michael's domain. In the end I was acquitted of all charges and specifications. I was able to have a nice dinner with my family and talk about the future without prefacing “depends on how this court martial goes but”; that feels amazing.
Hiring Michael and Alexandra was the best decision of my life, if you are in a similar situation get them on the phone asap.
Some additional tips for whoever finds themselves here:
-If you are being investigated by CID for allegations of violating article 120, do not wait around. Be pro-active, retain a great attorney and get to work. The Army will not provide you an assigned attorney until you have actually been charged with a crime; What if there is something in your case that could curtail the entire process? You wouldn't even know and that's how the Government likes it. Because they have every intention of charging you even if it's solely based on the word of you accuser.
-DO NOT talk to CID, do not confide in you Chain of Command. Don't even discuss the details of your case with Mom, Dad, or best friend.
-Your CO will issue a Military Protective Order as a "standard" thing. This will deny you certain liberties like purchasing and owning a firearm since it gets submitted to the FBI. Make sure to ask the question why your CO is processing an MPO without an expiration date, or as a matter of fact without any evidence. Seems unlawful to me, but this is all in retrospect because I ignorantly signed it as I had no real legal representation at the time it was issued.
-You'll be flagged the entire time, no way around this. Just continue to do your best at work, show them how resilient you are and contribute to the growth of your Company. Do not give them any excuse to label you a dirt bag, or worse stack on additional charges.
Good luck. read lessUS Army22 Mar 2022 - Representation unparraled Mr and Mrs waddington represented me at a board for accusations of sexual assault kidnapping and assault as well as various other offenses. From the moment I was notified that I was going to a board I knew that my command was going to throw everything they could at me. I embarrassed them and they accused me of a crime I was innocent of. I knew I needed a great attorney .I ended up getting two great attorneys a husband and wife team. Whenever I had questions or needed information about my case Mrs. Waddington was on it. She responded... read moreMr and Mrs waddington represented me at a board for accusations of sexual assault kidnapping and assault as well as various other offenses. From the moment I was notified that I was going to a board I knew that my command was going to throw everything they could at me. I embarrassed them and they accused me of a crime I was innocent of. I knew I needed a great attorney .I ended up getting two great attorneys a husband and wife team. Whenever I had questions or needed information about my case Mrs. Waddington was on it. She responded lighting quick and was clear concise and very comforting. Together with Mr.Waddington they prepared for conflict. We did get that conflict and to say the prosecution was outgunned outclassed would be underselling it. From the moment Mr.Waddington first opened his voice and presence was commanding and powerful. Mr.Waddington did something that the prosecution did not do. He appealed to the boards common sense and used reason and logic to win over our case something the prosecutors were trying vehemently to suppress. When cross examination came for the special investigators of our case we were all in for a treat. Mr.Waddington took control of the court room and embarrassed a rookie agent and showed how poor and inadequate a job he had done investigating my allegations. He failed to investigate my allegations impartially and had the audacity to say after raising his right hand that he was impartial. Mr.Waddington asked the agent if he used the DOD regulations to investigate my accusation, this man who graduated from special agent school did not even know what the regulations were. It goes to show you how careless they investigated my case not even following there own regulations. When a young man's life is in jeopardy you should know those regulations. After a three day battle at the board, we had our closings. The prosecutation failed to appeal to the boards emotion. They name called me belittled me and degraded me. Mr.Waddington did the opposite throughout the closing and the trial. He showed that I was a human being with hope's and dreams. A young man who swore an oath to defend the constitution just like those on the board. He used logic common sense and reasoning which the government just did not have. His Closing was powerful and straight to the point. The board deliberated and came back with all counts being unfounded. Let me tell you there were a lot of counts. It was incredible and reinvigorated me, a guy that at one point was down and out for the count. Mr and Mrs waddington thank you for what you did for me and what you do for other service members I will never forget it. read lessAnonymousUS Air Force24 Oct 2021
- The best decision I have ever made From day 1 of talking to him over the phone and meeting him in person he always kept it light and answered any and all questions I had. He was amazing in trial with the cross examinations and reading the jury members even when we had information dumped on us last minute and witnesses change the statements they had made to NCIS. He gave me a second chance in a case that had been going on for over 3 years that the prosecution was intent on burning me for. Never once did I feel hopeless or discouraged. Hiring him was... read moreFrom day 1 of talking to him over the phone and meeting him in person he always kept it light and answered any and all questions I had. He was amazing in trial with the cross examinations and reading the jury members even when we had information dumped on us last minute and witnesses change the statements they had made to NCIS. He gave me a second chance in a case that had been going on for over 3 years that the prosecution was intent on burning me for. Never once did I feel hopeless or discouraged. Hiring him was the best decision I have ever made. read lessAnonymousUS Navy23 Sep 2021
- Forever grateful mother I hired the Waddington's to represent my son for an Article 120 case at Fort Hood. When my son called and broke the news, we knew we were in for a heck of a fight. From the beginning, the Army came after him with all their might. Aside from his squad leader, everyone abandoned him. After a few months of stress and getting nowhere with the Army lawyer, our family hired Michael and Alexandra. I was very happy with the responsiveness to our phone calls and texts. They worked together as a team and kept us updated. They really cared... read moreI hired the Waddington's to represent my son for an Article 120 case at Fort Hood. When my son called and broke the news, we knew we were in for a heck of a fight. From the beginning, the Army came after him with all their might. Aside from his squad leader, everyone abandoned him. After a few months of stress and getting nowhere with the Army lawyer, our family hired Michael and Alexandra. I was very happy with the responsiveness to our phone calls and texts. They worked together as a team and kept us updated. They really cared about the best interest of my son. After a year long struggle, I am happy to say that my son was able to finish his service and get out with an honorable discharge and without a criminal record. The Waddington's cleared his name and reputation. We are forever grateful. read lessAnonymousUS Army07 Jul 2021
- David to the Governments Goliath First, if you are reading this stop and email the Waddington’s NOW! It will immediately give you a fighting chance. Second not all lawyers on the internet are the same, so be careful, Do your research and don’t settle for a sub par lawyer.David
My story is from a distinguished senior NCO, that was preparing to return to the USA from Germany, When I was falsely accused of rape and assault of my former step daughter (7 years removed) in violation of 120b & 128. My world immediately stopped and I was LABELED A CHILD Rapist for 21 months even tho... read moreFirst, if you are reading this stop and email the Waddington’s NOW! It will immediately give you a fighting chance. Second not all lawyers on the internet are the same, so be careful, Do your research and don’t settle for a sub par lawyer.
My story is from a distinguished senior NCO, that was preparing to return to the USA from Germany, When I was falsely accused of rape and assault of my former step daughter (7 years removed) in violation of 120b & 128. My world immediately stopped and I was LABELED A CHILD Rapist for 21 months even tho I was supposed to be presumed innocent. After a very biased and incomplete CID investigation I found my self standing before a jury.
The Waddington’s flew to Germany prepared and ready to fight. Mr. Waddington destroyed the Governments case one element at a time, even making ALL THE WITNESSES, admit they LIED in some form of capacity. The Government even used my CID Interview against me, even tho the whole time (5hrs) I said I didn’t do it. After three long days and the worst case of booty shaking-nerves, the verdict of not guilty of all accounts was announced after a 40 min deliberation.
Bet you are wondering how not guilty right. Well the Waddington’s was able to investigate and found out that my former step daughter had become out of control and when she found out I was coming back and that her mother wanted to get back together she said I raped her. Over 21 months the Government did nothing to vindicate me the target was painted and they had their man.
The Waddington’s did the due diligence to show I was innocent.
So in short what I am trying to say is give yourself a chance no matter what the case maybe. If you think their price is steep imagine loosing everything or spending life behind bars because you went with a subpar lawyer. And for heavens sake SHUT UP, DONT TALK TO ANYONE, because they can and will use everything you say against you, even tho it was you denying it all!!!
Thank you Mr. & Mrs Waddington you saved my life from heinous accusations. I’ll forever be grateful. read lessUS Army26 Mar 2021 - Outstanding Services An accusation of sexual assault or Assault and Battery is a major life-changing event for any military service member. As a Senior NCO with over 20 years, you will be ignored, looked at like you are guilty before you even have a trial. DoD-provided Trial defense lawyers; you'll be told to "just wait" or "stand by" until things get to the worst possible point and then offered a Chapter 10 to speed up the process of getting you out losing everything you worked for. If you’re a fighter for what you earned in your career and family life. I highly... read moreAn accusation of sexual assault or Assault and Battery is a major life-changing event for any military service member. As a Senior NCO with over 20 years, you will be ignored, looked at like you are guilty before you even have a trial. DoD-provided Trial defense lawyers; you'll be told to "just wait" or "stand by" until things get to the worst possible point and then offered a Chapter 10 to speed up the process of getting you out losing everything you worked for. If you’re a fighter for what you earned in your career and family life. I highly recommend you hire a dedicated professional like Michael Waddington and his team.Jay
My investigation started in November 2019 and then charged in September 2020 causing extreme life stressors. The process of locating a civilian lawyer is also not intuitive, as many of the websites are misleading or confusing. Again, consider what your life is worth to you. Consider the lifelong repercussions of a dishonorable or other-than-honorable discharge, and realize that you will not be able to fight the vast resources of the U.S. Government alone. The Waddington team actually answers their phones. They text back in a timely manner. They will review all the evidence, even as it continues to change and grow over time, and they will construct the best possible case to save your life.
Expenses may seem like a lot of money, but I know to this day that it's some of the best money I have ever spent. Do yourself a favor; before talking to anyone, hire Michael Waddington. read lessUS Army14 Mar 2021 - OSI got shredded on cross examination I first retained the Waddington’s back in 2018, when I filed for divorce after I caught my wife cheating on me. In retaliation, she falsely accused me of sexually assaulting her throughout our marriage and domestic violence. OSI did no investigation. None, other than to take my wife’s statement. They took her word as gold and dragged the investigation out over a year. I don’t know what took so long.Thankful
My command turned on me instantly and sided with my ex-wife. They removed me from my job and assigned me to a menial job. They destroyed my 12-year career in the... read moreI first retained the Waddington’s back in 2018, when I filed for divorce after I caught my wife cheating on me. In retaliation, she falsely accused me of sexually assaulting her throughout our marriage and domestic violence. OSI did no investigation. None, other than to take my wife’s statement. They took her word as gold and dragged the investigation out over a year. I don’t know what took so long.
My command turned on me instantly and sided with my ex-wife. They removed me from my job and assigned me to a menial job. They destroyed my 12-year career in the blink of an eye. At first, I was in shock. How could the Air Force turn on me after so many years? Then, I became bitter and depressed as the months wore on.
A few months into the investigation, I hired Michael and Alexandra and instantly felt like a weight was lifted from my shoulders. Alexandra was my rock. I mainly dealt with her during the investigation. She gave me hope. By the time I was charged, I was ready to fight. I had gathered a lot of evidence to use in court during the investigation. When I got the preferred charges, I was glad to get it over with.
By this point, my ex had dragged out our divorce for a year. She was using the false allegations against me in family court as leverage. Her corrupt Air Force victim’s lawyer and her divorce lawyer kept delaying the divorce, hoping to get a conviction so that she could take the kids, the house and get three years of victim compensation benefits. As we got ready for court, the Waddington’s and my ADC worked together seamlessly. By the time Michael flew in for trial, we were prepared for battle.
In the court martial, it was no contest. The Air Force JAGs were no match for Michael, and they literally looked like fools as Michael ripped their witnesses apart. It was kind of entertaining. My ex-wife was a puppet in his hands. I thought the OSI agent was going to start crying on the witness stand when Michael exposed his incompetent investigation and bias. At the beginning of his cross examination, Michael asked him if “his investigation was thorough and complete.” The OSI agent said “yes.” Then, Michael exposed him for not following his own training and the OSI instruction. In the end, after exposing his biased investigation, all of the evidence he did not collect, the people he did not interview, , Michael asked him again, “so you still think your investigation was thorough and complete?” The agent’s face turned bright red, and he said “yes.” The jury rolled their eyes.
During the trial, I was nervous, but I was also enjoying every moment of it. The jury found me NOT GUILTY, and I was a free man. Yes, I had to rebuild my life and reputation, but that is better than sitting in jail for a crime you did not commit. I am grateful that I hired Alexandra and Michael when I did and cannot recommend them enough. read lessUS Air Force12 Mar 2021 - The Zen Master of the UCMJ If you're reading this, you're in a world of trouble. I was in your shoes, I read all 87 of his reviews, read his past court cases, even looked him up on Wikipedia. But if you're reading this, there's hope! And his name is Michael Waddington! Michael is the most professional, intelligent, cunning lawyer i have ever seen work in a court room. I was charged with 5 counts of Article 128 UCMJ Assault, 3 counts of Article 120 UCMJ Sexual Assault) and 1 count of Article 134 UCMJ (Obstruction of Justice) and the result read by the Jury panel... read moreIf you're reading this, you're in a world of trouble. I was in your shoes, I read all 87 of his reviews, read his past court cases, even looked him up on Wikipedia. But if you're reading this, there's hope! And his name is Michael Waddington! Michael is the most professional, intelligent, cunning lawyer i have ever seen work in a court room. I was charged with 5 counts of Article 128 UCMJ Assault, 3 counts of Article 120 UCMJ Sexual Assault) and 1 count of Article 134 UCMJ (Obstruction of Justice) and the result read by the Jury panel "NOT GUILTY ". Michael was hard charging, never backed down, cross-examined the government witness unlike anything I've seen! His closing argument had the entire court room in awe(I almost stood up and started clapping!) You may think you can not afford him, but in actuality, you can not afford to not have him! Your life and freedom is worth more that any legal fee! As for me, I'm on my way to retirement and going home to be with my family! And I couldn't have done it without Michael, Alexandra and Sandra! Thank you so much for giving me my life back! I am forever grateful to you! read lessChrisUS Army06 Nov 2020
- Elite, Unmatched Professional I was accused of Sexual Assault in the military (Article 120 UCMJ). When my original ADC separated from active duty, I was terrified my case would fall through the cracks as I transitioned to another defense council. As a military officer, I had a lot to lose. After several deep discussions with loved ones it became abundantly clear it's not worth chancing your freedom against military prosecutors. Enter Michael Waddington.Anonymous
From day one Mr. Waddington was active and involved with my case. He asked deep, probing questions, not because he was concerned with my feelings on the case, but because... read moreI was accused of Sexual Assault in the military (Article 120 UCMJ). When my original ADC separated from active duty, I was terrified my case would fall through the cracks as I transitioned to another defense council. As a military officer, I had a lot to lose. After several deep discussions with loved ones it became abundantly clear it's not worth chancing your freedom against military prosecutors. Enter Michael Waddington.
From day one Mr. Waddington was active and involved with my case. He asked deep, probing questions, not because he was concerned with my feelings on the case, but because he cared about proving my innocence. I chose to retain my ADC, and they meshed effortlessly from my perspective. The weekend before my trial he flew in and we hit the ground running in preparation.
During my trial, he handled the opening, closing, and cross-examination of several key witnesses. His cross-examination was bar-none in the courtroom. He knew what his objective was and how to expertly pull that information each time. He came off as an absolute professional and expert at what he does in the military courtroom.
He poked holes in the prosecution's case throughout. During the closings, you could see the prosecution making a last-ditch effort to discredit some of their witnesses. Mr. Waddington's closing was simple and straight to the point of the case, regardless of the prosecutor's many efforts to misdirect; he pointed out the MANY holes in their case they were unable to address.
At the end of the day, I was acquitted of all charges and specifications. There really is no price I could place on the relief I feel knowing I can continue my career. The paralegal on my case commented at one point, ""I've seen my fair share of civilian attorneys and Mr. Waddington is the best, by far."" Rest assured, he has your best interest in mind and he will be respected in whatever legal setting you may end up in. read lessUS Air Force20 Oct 2020 - Read before hiring this lawyer!! You are not alone. Many of us were where you are now.Mike
An accusation of a UCMJ Article 120 sexual assault or rape is a major life-changing event for any military service member. Like me, you will be ignored, marginalized, and shuffled between nameless and swamped DoD-provided defense lawyers; you'll be told to ""just wait"" or ""stand by"" until things get to the worst possible point; your former friends and co-workers will look at you with doubt and talk about you behind your back - the next few years will be a defining point in your life, and to make... read moreYou are not alone. Many of us were where you are now.
An accusation of a UCMJ Article 120 sexual assault or rape is a major life-changing event for any military service member. Like me, you will be ignored, marginalized, and shuffled between nameless and swamped DoD-provided defense lawyers; you'll be told to ""just wait"" or ""stand by"" until things get to the worst possible point; your former friends and co-workers will look at you with doubt and talk about you behind your back - the next few years will be a defining point in your life, and to make it out intact I highly recommend you hire dedicated professionals like Michael and Alexandra Waddington.
My case took nearly two years to clear, during which time I was shuffled between four TDS DoD-supplied defense attorneys. It was a nightmare repeatedly having to explain the intricacies of the case, especially as my ex-partner continued to harass me. This harassment was completely ignored by DoD, as I was the accused. The military defense didn't even answer their phones much of the time. The process of locating a civilian lawyer is also not intuitive, as many of the websites are misleading or confusing. Again, consider what your life is worth to you. Consider the lifelong repercussions of a dishonorable or other-than-honorable discharge, and realize that you will not be able to fight the vast resources of the U.S. Government alone. The Waddington team actually answers their phones. They text back in a timely manner. They will review all the evidence, even as it continues to change and grow over time, and they will construct the best possible case to save your life.
I know it seems like a lot of money, but I feel to this day that it's some of the best money I have ever spent. Do yourself a favor; before talking to anyone, hire Michael & Alexandra Waddington. read lessUS Army09 Oct 2020 - You Must Hire this lawyer !!! Don't think twice I recommend this lawyer to all ranks and branches in the military from enlisted to officers. I'm enlisted soldier station in Vilseck, Germany. I'm being in the army for 8 plus years, just when I was running out of ways to fight for my life. I ran into this lawyer website while I was doing research online. I was overthinking depressed, I felt like the world was falling on top of me.Anonymous
God showed me this lawyer, if your reading this is because your thinking of who to hire I can tell you right now your in the right place... read moreI recommend this lawyer to all ranks and branches in the military from enlisted to officers. I'm enlisted soldier station in Vilseck, Germany. I'm being in the army for 8 plus years, just when I was running out of ways to fight for my life. I ran into this lawyer website while I was doing research online. I was overthinking depressed, I felt like the world was falling on top of me.
God showed me this lawyer, if your reading this is because your thinking of who to hire I can tell you right now your in the right place I was facing several years in prison for drunk and disorderly, disturbing the peace, assault, adultery. I was proven NOT GUILTY OF ALL CHARGES. she will be straight forward with you and honest I recommend her services. Trust her and don't worry. leave it in her hands just listen to the advice and everything she tells you to do. and you'll be thanking her for the rest of your life. freedom is priceless. read lessUS Army01 Oct 2020 - BEST LAWYER!!!! HIRE HIM NOW!!! Hard Hitting Aggressive Representation. We Defend Serious Criminal Cases Worldwide. this is correct he Flew all the way from the states to Vilseck, Germany to represent me. no matter the distance his team and him will answer all the questions you need. great outcome! Waddington was patient, kept his word and was very understanding! he will defend you and fight for you he will get every detail known and he will give you the best results I was being charges for adultery , assault and more crazy the military tried but if you have Mr Waddington by you there's no... read moreHard Hitting Aggressive Representation. We Defend Serious Criminal Cases Worldwide. this is correct he Flew all the way from the states to Vilseck, Germany to represent me. no matter the distance his team and him will answer all the questions you need. great outcome! Waddington was patient, kept his word and was very understanding! he will defend you and fight for you he will get every detail known and he will give you the best results I was being charges for adultery , assault and more crazy the military tried but if you have Mr Waddington by you there's no one more clear and professional in the court room. He answered all my questions, even when I asked them several times! he will make you feel like a brother or a part of the family Trust him once you hire him put all the trust in him and what ever he tells you listen to him and everything will be fine. freedom is priceless don't think twice his the best criminal defense lawyer no questions ask.Anonymous
Aas a Result I was found NOT GUILTY OF ALL CHARGES I can't thank him enough I'm free God worked trough this men to give me a second chance at life god bless who ever is reading this trust me you should hire him as soon as possible if you need a lawyer. read lessUS Army01 Oct 2020 - Great Expectations – Exceeded What’s your life’s work worth? I believe many of Michael and Alexandra’s clients are junior in time/grade in the military. That being the case, many of the posted reviews are from the perspective of younger Service Members or their parents. As a more ‘seasoned’ Service Member, I have spent over two decades in uniform. That’s when I found my family and my life’s work under attack by false accusations. Highly competent legal representation by Gonzalez & Waddington, LLC was the only way we succeeded in saving both. Bottom line, “NOT GUILTY on all counts” was the truth and it is... read moreWhat’s your life’s work worth? I believe many of Michael and Alexandra’s clients are junior in time/grade in the military. That being the case, many of the posted reviews are from the perspective of younger Service Members or their parents. As a more ‘seasoned’ Service Member, I have spent over two decades in uniform. That’s when I found my family and my life’s work under attack by false accusations. Highly competent legal representation by Gonzalez & Waddington, LLC was the only way we succeeded in saving both. Bottom line, “NOT GUILTY on all counts” was the truth and it is what the judge read from a panel of my peers at the conclusion of my trial. The alternative: unthinkable – incarcerated for over 30 years, sex offender registration for life, a dishonorable discharge, and a family destroyed…by lies and a system heavily weighted in favor of the alleged victim.Anonymous
Candidly, I did have Great Expectations of Michael and Alexandra. My expectations were exceeded! Is it expensive? – only if you mistakenly frame the cost as anything other than an investment…in you. Give yourself permission – YOU are worth it! The great people of Gonzalez & Waddington – Michael, Alexandra, and Sandra – were phenomenal through the entire process. Over a 14-month ordeal from first being notified by CID of an impending investigation until the end of a 3-day trial. All of this turmoil stemming from sexual assault allegations dating back years. The circumstances of the allegation and the actions of the alleged victim across the years until the trial are incredible and near beyond belief. I give you that insight to say that Michael, Alexandra, and our assigned Trial Defense Service (TDS) attorney had a very complex case to manage. Professional, smart, and caring accurately describe how they aided my family and me in preparing and fighting for our present lives and future dreams. We did our part to gather information/facts, submit our character witness list, and follow careful protocols of avoiding social media and not making statements or discussing our case with ANYONE outside of our legal team. Our level of input was matched or exceeded at every turn.
Military law is complex; don’t fight it alone. You need the best legal representation to successfully work yourself out of the maze. You need Michael and Alexandra on your Team. Make the investment! I am forever indebted to them and happily recommend their services to anyone facing serious UCMJ charges. What’s your life’s work worth? Don’t squander another minute! read lessUS Army29 Sep 2020 - The fighter He knows what service members go through with the rigged military justice system. Don’t look any where when you find yourself being falsely accused of sexual assault. The prosecutors fear him because he does not back down. He knows all the tricks and lies they use to convict innocent service members. He will fight for you the same way he fought for me. Today am home with my family working a nice job because of him. Don’t talk to investigators please call the Waddington’s before you open your mouth. Thank you Michael and Alex. May God bless y’all. Keep on... read moreHe knows what service members go through with the rigged military justice system. Don’t look any where when you find yourself being falsely accused of sexual assault. The prosecutors fear him because he does not back down. He knows all the tricks and lies they use to convict innocent service members. He will fight for you the same way he fought for me. Today am home with my family working a nice job because of him. Don’t talk to investigators please call the Waddington’s before you open your mouth. Thank you Michael and Alex. May God bless y’all. Keep on fighting for the innocent. read lessAnonymous 28 Aug 2020
- Speechless Michael Waddington was a beacon of hope to myself and those whom I care for during a time when my options appeared limited and the likelihood of a satisfactory resolution seemed nigh or impossible. He was able to defend me from an unjust accusation that involved a mentally unstable woman who claimed that she was sexually assaulted by two individuals that she did not know. The prosecutors put a great amount of effort in accusing me of an Article 120 UCMJ crime that I was not guilty of. I was investigated for two years for this false sexual assault allegation... read moreMichael Waddington was a beacon of hope to myself and those whom I care for during a time when my options appeared limited and the likelihood of a satisfactory resolution seemed nigh or impossible. He was able to defend me from an unjust accusation that involved a mentally unstable woman who claimed that she was sexually assaulted by two individuals that she did not know. The prosecutors put a great amount of effort in accusing me of an Article 120 UCMJ crime that I was not guilty of. I was investigated for two years for this false sexual assault allegation in which I was not present at the scene of the crime! I have been in the military for over four years. I haven't received one single misconduct or counseling . I was at the end stage of a med board and everything was put on hold because they needed someone to pin this crime on. You may think that because you are innocent and truthful that thing will work in your favor , but this is simply not the case. In this system , if you do not have an experienced attorney for a court martial it is very possible that you will end up in jail regardless if you are innocent. The government has endless amounts of resources to make this happen , the military court is unfair!! However, Mr. Waddington made sure that I had a fair shot to tell my story, we worked together with him and his wife Alex. Every local attorney that I told my story advised me that it was not necessary to hire a civilian attorney because they didn’t feel as though the case would be strong enough to make it to trial . However, the case went further than expected , therefore I decided to be proactive and call Alex Waddington, she instantly took an interest in my case. The TDS attorneys did literally nothing for two years! Honestly, I didn’t feel as though I needed someone of such high status for my case , but I am glad I hired him . The plaintiff told over 9 completely different stories on sworn statements and even lied in court, the prosecutors began to lie with her. Mr. Waddington did an amazing job on the stand,, it definitely took me by surprise, I immediately realized why I invested in him . Mr. Waddington exposed the prosecutor, eliminators, and CID on their negligence, unprofessionalism, and deceitfulness . Thanks to Mr.Waddington's statement, it is rumored that CID will face disciplinary action for not doing a real investigation for this case. This case was an example of an ultimate bully tatic in which they all ganged up on an innocent person of high moral character in an attempt to put me in jail. It hurt me deeply that I swore to serve and protect this country with my life and this is how I am repaid, I was falsely criminalized and dehumanized. Mr. Waddington took on all of them on single-handedly, it was like watching Muhammad Ali in a fight ! Mr. Waddington was very modest yet ironically he exceeded my expectations. Thanks to Mr. Waddington, I was able to get out with an honorable discharge and med board . Mr. Waddington convinced everybody that I was innocent. Even the MP’s said to me “I knew you didn’t commit that crime, I knew you were innocent ." I am eternally grateful for Mr. Waddington's service and I hereby recommend Mr. Michael Waddington without reservation. If you believe you are innocent please call Mr. Waddington , his fees are not cheap but it is worth the investment. I am a single father of a daughter with no support system, If I can make it happen I know you can. read lessAnonymousUS Army23 Aug 2020
- Outstanding! Two years ago, I did my consultation with Alexandra I was under investigation for sexual assault by a crazy female that did not even know who her victim was and just wanted media attention, the case seemed almost never-ending. I began calling around asking attorneys what their advice was. Alexandra had answered my phone call and gave me hope that this could go away she instantly took an interest in my case and started helping me while my TDS attorney did literally nothing for 2 years. by talking to her she sounded very educated and confident and concerned I than... read moreTwo years ago, I did my consultation with Alexandra I was under investigation for sexual assault by a crazy female that did not even know who her victim was and just wanted media attention, the case seemed almost never-ending. I began calling around asking attorneys what their advice was. Alexandra had answered my phone call and gave me hope that this could go away she instantly took an interest in my case and started helping me while my TDS attorney did literally nothing for 2 years. by talking to her she sounded very educated and confident and concerned I than proceeded to hire her and her husband Mr. Waddington and got an outstanding outcome on my case they worked hand and hand if Mr. Waddington wasn't working on one thing she was doing another by advocating for me making sure I did not get screwed over. Although it was a huge misunderstanding about the fees I would not hesitate to hire them again. read lessAnonymousUS Army15 Aug 2020
- THE BEST LAWYER EVER! I hired Mr. Waddington back in mid 2019 a few months after finding out I was under investigation for sexual assault. The investigators did a terrible job and were completely bias against me even falsifying information. Near the end of 2019 I was charged with sexual assault, housebreaking and kidnapping without a single piece of evidence. Michael and Alexandra Waddington were the first to see right through the lies that were being told against me by OSI and gave me hope that this wasn't the end of my life. Michael and Alexandra Waddington did way more than just consult me... read moreI hired Mr. Waddington back in mid 2019 a few months after finding out I was under investigation for sexual assault. The investigators did a terrible job and were completely bias against me even falsifying information. Near the end of 2019 I was charged with sexual assault, housebreaking and kidnapping without a single piece of evidence. Michael and Alexandra Waddington were the first to see right through the lies that were being told against me by OSI and gave me hope that this wasn't the end of my life. Michael and Alexandra Waddington did way more than just consult me when we first spoke, they gave me some of the best and most insightful information about situations like this and how often times good people get charged by shady or misled organizations like OSI. My charges were preferred to courts martial and as the months got closer Michael and Alexandra Waddington painstakingly went through everything that OSI had against me and found every single hole in their false story. By the time the court martial came, Michael Waddington was more than ready to go to battle in the courtroom. He immediately saw the truth of the matter that even I didn't see, and led the way to victory. The jury found me NOT GUILTY of all charges! Not only was Michael Waddington always at the top of his game in the courtroom, but he somehow always managed to keep the air in the courtroom light but very professional. If you are ever in need of an attorney I have no doubt that Michael Waddington and his wife Alexandra are the ones to hire for sure! They are worth every penny. In all honestly I think they are under paid. Thank you again Mr. and Mrs. Waddington! read lessAnonymousUS Air Force04 Aug 2020
- SAVED MY LIFE I was charged for 3 sex crimes by the military justice system. Even though I knew I was innocent my military lawyer wanted me to plead guilty. He said the government had all the resources in the world to convince a jury to convict me. I would have dishonorably discharged, lost all my benefits, have to register as a sex offender, and hopefully get a "light" prison sentence. Thank God we found Mr. Waddington to replace that military lawyer. Mr. Waddington was very aggressive attacking the government's case and their witnesses. I was told by the new military lawyer, that... read moreI was charged for 3 sex crimes by the military justice system. Even though I knew I was innocent my military lawyer wanted me to plead guilty. He said the government had all the resources in the world to convince a jury to convict me. I would have dishonorably discharged, lost all my benefits, have to register as a sex offender, and hopefully get a "light" prison sentence. Thank God we found Mr. Waddington to replace that military lawyer. Mr. Waddington was very aggressive attacking the government's case and their witnesses. I was told by the new military lawyer, that assisted Mr. Waddington, on the final day to bring a change of clothes and $40.00 to make phone calls from prison just in case we lost because I would go directly to prison. You cannot imagine how scared I was!! The day of the closing arguments Mr. Waddington shredded the prosecution case to pieces and the jury appeared to be mesmerized by his performance. The jury was out a short time, which seemed like a lifetime to me, and came back with a NOT GUILTY OF ALL CHARGES. All I can say is THANK YOU MR. WADDINGTON for saving my life. read lessJMH 15 Jan 2020
- ABSOLUTELY AWESOME Our son was being charged by the military with a felony sexual charge that would have ruined his career, life, and sent hIm to prison. The government has everything stacked in their favor and it takes an extremely skilled defense attorney to overcome. Michael Waddington is the best attorney you will find to fight the military prosecutors. Michael is not only skilled, professional, and a extremely nice person, he knows how to win. I feel our case was won with his closing argument. In boxing terms, "Mr. Waddington KO the prosecution ". I cannot say enough to show how grateful... read moreOur son was being charged by the military with a felony sexual charge that would have ruined his career, life, and sent hIm to prison. The government has everything stacked in their favor and it takes an extremely skilled defense attorney to overcome. Michael Waddington is the best attorney you will find to fight the military prosecutors. Michael is not only skilled, professional, and a extremely nice person, he knows how to win. I feel our case was won with his closing argument. In boxing terms, "Mr. Waddington KO the prosecution ". I cannot say enough to show how grateful we are for his performance. read lessDanUS Air Force09 Jan 2020
Elite Article 120 UCMJ Military Sexual Assault Defense Attorneys
Michael & Alexandra literally wrote some of the best-selling books on cross-examination, sexual assault defense, trial strategy, and closing arguments.
We also teach criminal defense lawyers (civilian and military attorneys) across the USA how to effectively cross-examine hostile witnesses and win trials. We have developed some of the best techniques to win military sex crimes and Article 120 UCMJ cases.
Our civilian military defense lawyers maintain a small caseload and personally handle cases from beginning to end.
Gonzalez & Waddington, LLC
Leading Authors & Lecturers on Criminal Defense, Article 120 UCMJ Military Sexual Assault Defense, Closing Arguments, & Cross-Examination
Our books on cross-examining forensic experts, sexual assault victims, law enforcement, and witnesses in sexual assault cases are national bestsellers for civilian defense lawyers.
Michael & Alexandra co-authored three of the leading textbooks on cross-examination:
- Pattern Cross-Examination for Sexual Assault Cases
- Pattern Cross-Examination of Expert Witnesses
- Pattern Cross-Examination for DNA and Biological Evidence
ALL of these books are used by civilian criminal defense lawyers across the United States as well as Military Sexual Assault Lawyers (civilian and military).
Many prosecution witnesses see themselves as advocates and members of the prosecution team. Some witnesses will do whatever is necessary to win and send the defendant to prison, irregardless of guilt or innocence. This may include lying, exaggerating, and misstating facts and science. These books were written for criminal defense lawyers on the front lines in the war on sexual assault. They contain pattern questions that will help dominate prosecution witnesses and level the playing field.
Michael Waddington and Alexandra González-Waddington Tweet












Kick-Ass Closings: A Guide to Giving the Best Closing Argument of Your Life
Our bestselling book, Kick-Ass Closings, is a powerful resource for new and experienced criminal defense lawyers, so they can deliver devastating closing arguments with minimal prep time. This book provides a simple and straightforward template that can be used in any criminal trial and hundreds of sample closing arguments that can be crafted to fit the facts of your case. Click here to read more.
Praise for Kick-Ass Closings
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We Teach Civilian and Military Defense Lawyers Across the USA How to Win Cases
Here are a few of our speaking engagements:
In Nov 2021, Michael & Alexandra teach lawyers how to defend Article 120 UCMJ military sexual assault cases and how to cross-examine experts in sexual assault cases.
Waddington gives dual lectures at National Sex Crime Conference on how to fight false military sexual assault allegations and how to win sex assault cases
Waddington teaches at National Forensic Science Conference
Results Of Recent Court-Martial Cases
Compare our results with any military defense lawyers anywhere in the world – military or civilian.
What you’re up against
in court-martial cases
and why you need
experienced military defense lawyers




We fight court-martial cases throughout the United States, Europe (Germany, Naples, Aviano, Italy, Rota, Spain, Sicily, England, Sigonella, Belgium, the Netherlands, Hungary, Cyprus, Greenland, and Turkey), the Middle East (Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain), and the Pacific (South Korea, Hawaii, Japan, Okinawa, and Guam).
We represent military clients that are under investigation by CID, OSI, and NCIS, with the objective of avoiding criminal charges.
If you’re facing an Article 120 UCMJ military sexual assault allegations in the military justice system or falsely accused of military sexual assault, the deck is stacked against you. The prosecution has virtually unlimited resources and all the attorneys and paralegals it needs to work toward imprisoning you for the maximum sentence. Defendants feel helpless, scared, and overwhelmed. They feel like a guilty plea is their only option, which is exactly what the prosecution wants.
A guilty plea should only be a last resort. It should only be entered with the competent representation of qualified counsel who has your best interest at heart. Even when there’s that a chance a defendant can prove his or her innocence, it’s not uncommon for military or civilian defense attorneys to instead enter a guilty plea.
Select Your Military Court Martial Lawyer With Care
Or Become Another Statistic
Selecting the best defense attorney couldn’t be more critical.
Here’s what you’ll be up against and why you need fearless civilian military attorneys in your corner.
The prosecution will use every tactic they can to manipulate all aspects of a case and thwart the defendant’s ability to mount an adequate defense.
Prosecutors offer witnesses favors, plea deals, and immunity as long as they say what they’re asked to help win a case.
Even requests to use the same experts as used by the prosecution are often denied. It is critical to select an attorney with the experience and skill to win a case without defense experts, if needed. Our firm teaches other lawyers how to attack and discredit prosecution experts.
This tactic uses as many charges as possible to leave defendants little choice but to plead guilty. It is not uncommon to see court-martial charge sheets that are three pages long with the same charge repeated in different ways.
They are all working to find any and all information about you. Investigators often lose, overlook, or misplace evidence that helps the defense. Prosecutors and law enforcement will twist favorable facts and use them against you at trial.
They are trained in shady interrogation tactics, and they’re good at it. Investigators will try to get away with as many sneaky tactics as a defense lawyer allows. That’s why it’s important to hire a lawyer who knows the tricks of the trade and can use them to your advantage.
From the Judge to the jury, defendants are outranked. That includes the Chief of Military Justice (the Convening Authority that decides if a defendant will face a court-martial and picks the jury), the Staff Judge Advocate, preliminary hearings officers, and your assigned military lawyer. That’s why an aggressive military defense lawyer who’s not subject to rank is critical to a winning defense.
But to many SJAs, “justice” means getting a conviction, a discharge, and the toughest sentence possible. As the prosecutor’s boss, the SJA isn’t concerned about your freedom or your family’s welfare. They just want a conviction. They will bully prosecutors and your own defense attorneys alike to get it. Even when preliminary hearing officers find facts that don’t support bringing charges, some SJA offices still proceed to trial.
The prosecution is allowed to call any witnesses they desire without informing the defense of what those witnesses will say. But the defense must disclose exactly what its witnesses will say and what role their testimonies will play. Some judges require the defense to disclose even more details, revealing the entire defense strategy. In high profile cases, military defense lawyers face incredible pressure to plead guilty.
BOTTOM LINE
If you want a fair shot in the military justice system, you need the best court-martial attorneys in your corner to even the odds.
If you want a fair shot in the military justice system,
you need the best court martial attorneys in your corner to even the odds.
Article 120 UCMJ Military Sexual Assault Lawyers
As criminal defense lawyers who have defended service members around the world in both court-martial cases and administrative separation boards,
Michael Waddington and Alexandra González-Waddington are known for being aggressive, fearless, and hard-hitting. We have successfully defended hundreds of military members falsely accused of Article 120 UCMJ sexual offenses. Despite overwhelming odds, our firm has successfully defended cases in Korea, Japan, Iraq, Kuwait, and other cities around the world.
Our court-martial defense lawyers have a history of winning cases at trial, so prosecutors take them seriously.



