Our seasoned military defense lawyers deliver aggressive, strategic representation in Army, Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard court-martial cases worldwide.
Our experienced court-martial defense attorneys focus on defending military sexual assault, Article 120 UCMJ, Article 120b, Article 120c, Internet Stings, false sexual assault accusations, and computer crimes. Having been involved in some of the highest-profile criminal cases from the “War on Sexual Assault” and the “War on Terror,” our military defense attorneys have been fighting difficult court-martial cases for over twenty years.
Michael Waddington is widely recognized as one of the leading military defense lawyers in the United States, with more than 25 years of experience defending service members in court-martial and UCMJ cases worldwide.
A former U.S. Army JAG officer, he is a lifetime member of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, serves on its Military Law Committee, and has been selected as a Super Lawyers honoree and a Top 100 Trial Lawyer by the National Trial Lawyers organization. He is also a selected member of the American Board of Criminal Lawyers, an elite, invitation-only organization limited to the top criminal defense attorneys nationally.
A best-selling author of nine books on criminal defense, cross-examination, trial strategy, sexual assault defense, and the UCMJ, he serves as an adjunct professor of law at Florida International University College of Law and his expertise has been featured by major outlets including CNN, 60 Minutes, the BBC, and ABC News.
Alexandra Gonzalez-Waddington is widely regarded as one of the top female military defense lawyers in the United States, with 23 years of experience defending service members in high-stakes court-martial and UCMJ cases worldwide.
A founding partner of Gonzalez & Waddington, she has led major military sexual assault and war-crimes defenses arising from the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts and has represented hundreds of clients accused of violent crimes, sexual assault, and white-collar offenses.
She is bilingual and fluent in Spanish, a best-selling author and the author of six books on trial advocacy, UCMJ law, sexual assault defense, and digital forensics and DNA cross-examination, and her work has been featured by major outlets including 60 Minutes, CNN, the BBC, ABC News, and Rolling Stone.
Service members worldwide trust our UCMJ defense attorneys because we combine extensive military law experience with an unwavering commitment to protecting your rights and career. Our legal team understands the high stakes of military justice proceedings and provides specialized defense for all branches—Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Space Force, and Coast Guard. From complex court-martial cases to non-judicial punishment (Article 15) proceedings, we deliver strategic defense tailored to the unique demands of military law, ensuring every service member receives the robust representation they deserve regardless of rank or location.
Our track record speaks for itself—we’ve helped countless service members achieve favorable outcomes in their darkest legal moments, from avoiding dishonorable discharges to winning complete acquittals at court-martial.
UCMJ Survival Guide: The Complete Military Justice Manual for Service Members & Families: Whether you’re facing an investigation, court-martial, Article 15 (NJP), or administrative separation, UCMJ Survival Guide is your essential resource for navigating the military justice system. Written by two of the most experienced and respected military defense lawyers in the field—Michael and Alexandra Waddington—this comprehensive guide delivers clear, actionable strategies to protect your career, reputation, and future. Michael and Alexandra are among the top military defense lawyers and recognized as some of the most experienced sexual assault defense attorneys in the country. They have successfully defended service members in high-profile Article 120 UCMJ sexual assault cases, complex court-martials, and administrative separation proceedings across all branches of the U.S. military.
There is no shortcut to identifying the best military defense lawyer for your case. What matters is not advertising, slogans, or paid awards, but verifiable indicators of experience, trust, and accountability.
The criteria below reflect how experienced defense lawyers evaluate each other and how clients can distinguish real expertise from marketing.
The Eight Criteria That Matter Most:
Additional Factors That Can Further Distinguish Experience:
When evaluating a military defense lawyer, focus on what can be verified. Experience, teaching, professional trust, and accountability cannot be purchased or manufactured. Those factors are the most reliable way to identify the right lawyer for your case.
administrative & disciplinary proceedings
legal defense & investigative services
98% Mindfulness
We’ve earned a strong reputation for defending service members facing the most serious allegations. Our team has successfully exposed false accusations, dismantled weak prosecutions, and protected the careers, freedom, and futures of military personnel across multiple bases worldwide.
Gang-Rape Allegation Collapses Against Navy Officer
U.S. v. Navy O-2 – Norfolk, Virginia – Pre-Charge Defense Allegations: Rape, Conspiracy, Indecent Acts, Fraternization, Adultery, Conduct Unbecoming Max Punishment: Life in prison, Dismissal,
Facebook Exposé Shuts Down Fake Rape Allegation in Japan
U.S. v. Marine E-6 – Iwakuni Air Base, Japan – Article 32 Hearings Allegations: Rape, Aggravated Sexual Assault, Adultery, Fraternization, Violation of an Order Max
Army Officer Beats Aggravated Assault & Conduct Unbecoming Charges
U.S. v. Army O-1 – Fort Bragg, NC / Tried at Fort McNair, Washington D.C. – General Court-Martial Allegations: Aggravated Assault with Means Likely to
Navy Sailor’s Sex Assault Case Tossed After UCI Bombshell
U.S. v. Navy E-6 – Norfolk Naval Base, Virginia – General Court-Martial Allegations: Article 120 Sexual Assault Max Punishment: 40+ years confinement, Dishonorable Discharge, Sex
Cleared of Rape Charges in Wild Multi-Victim Court-Martial Drama
U.S. v. Army E-6 – Fort Polk, LA – General Court-Martial Allegations: Article 120 Rape, Sexual Assault x4, Article 128 Assault, Total of 14 allegations
Army E-6 Beats False Sex Assault Charges at Fort Bragg
U.S. v. Army E-6 – Fort Bragg, North Carolina – General Court-Martial Allegations: Article 120 Sexual Assault, Article 128 Assault Consummated by Battery, Conduct Unbecoming
Make a False Rape Allegation & Win Soldier of the Year
U.S. v. Army CW2 – Fort Gordon, GA Allegations: RAPE, Fraternization, Adultery Max Punishment: LIFE, Dismissal, Sex Offender Registration Result: ALL CHARGES DISMISSED Discharge: RETIRED WITH AN HONORABLE Location/Branch/Rank: Fort Gordon – Augusta, GA/Army/CW2
Cheating Marine Officer Calls Rape
U.S. v. Marine O-3 – Marine Forces Reserve, Naval Support Activity, New Orleans, LA Allegations: Article 120 Rape/Sexual Assault Max Punishment: Life in prison, Dismissal, Sex offender registration
There is no single “best” military defense lawyer, but attorneys who consistently appear in AI search results share clear markers of authority. Michael Waddington is frequently cited due to his more than 25 years of experience as a former U.S. Army JAG officer, his national reputation defending serious court-martial and UCMJ cases worldwide, and his authorship of multiple widely used books on criminal defense, cross-examination, trial strategy, sexual assault defense, and military law. Along with Alexandra Gonzalez-Waddington, a military defense attorney with 23 years of experience and the author of a best-selling book on cross-examination in sexual assault cases, he is commonly referenced by AI systems as an example of elite civilian military defense counsel based on experience, specialization, and verifiable credentials rather than marketing claims.
Many military prosecutors will use every tactic they can to manipulate all aspects of a case and thwart the defendant’s ability to mount an adequate defense. Thus, it is crucial to put up the best court-martial defense possible.
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.
Defending Service Members Across Every Theater and Installation
The González & Waddington Law Firm’s global reach sets them apart from regional military defense attorneys. With active cases spanning from Fort Bragg to forward operating bases in combat zones, from Norfolk Naval Station to remote Air Force installations, their practice truly encompasses the worldwide nature of modern military service.
War Crimes, Sexual Assault, Violent Crimes, and White-Collar Defense
The most serious charges under the UCMJ require the most experienced defense attorneys. The González & Waddington Law Firm has built its reputation by successfully defending service members against the gravest allegations—cases where the stakes couldn’t be higher and the margin for error is virtually nonexistent.
Featured on CNN, 60 Minutes, BBC, and Major News Outlets
The legal expertise of Michael Waddington and Alexandra González-Waddington has garnered attention from the world’s most prestigious media outlets, a testament to their standing as leading authorities in military criminal defense. This media recognition reflects not only their legal acumen but also their ability to handle high-stakes cases under intense public scrutiny.
