Hiring a Military Defense Lawyer
Gonzalez & Waddington is a civilian military defense firm, founded by Michael Waddington and Alexandra Gonzalez-Waddington, that has defended service members at courts-martial and in UCMJ matters worldwide for more than two decades.
Quick answer
Yes. You can keep your free military defense counsel and also hire a civilian military defense lawyer such as Gonzalez & Waddington. Article 38 of the UCMJ allows an accused to be represented by civilian counsel at personal expense, and detailed military counsel can stay on the case as associate counsel unless you ask that they be excused. In serious cases the two often work as one team: the civilian lawyer usually leads strategy and trial work, and the military counsel adds local knowledge and continuity.
You do not have to fire your JAG
Hiring civilian counsel does not replace your right to detailed military defense counsel. In most court-martial cases you can have both. If you prefer, you can ask that detailed counsel be excused, but most clients keep them because two committed defense lawyers are better than one.
How the team usually divides the work
- Civilian lead counsel: overall strategy, investigation, expert selection, motions, cross-examination and trial presentation.
- Detailed military counsel: knowledge of the local command and legal office, access on the installation, logistics, and second-chair trial support.
- Both: share discovery, meet with the client together and agree on decisions before they are made.
When adding civilian counsel makes sense
It is most valuable when the case is serious or complicated: sexual assault, child allegations, violent offenses, digital evidence, officer cases, cases threatening retirement, or cases where an Article 32 hearing or contested trial is likely. It also helps when the military lawyer has a heavy caseload, is expected to rotate, or has limited contested trial experience.
Should the civilian lawyer be a former JAG?
Former military service is useful, but it is not the main test. The more important questions are how many contested courts-martial the lawyer has personally tried, how much experience they have with your type of allegation, and who will actually do the work. Michael Waddington is a former Army JAG prosecutor, trial defense counsel and senior defense counsel who has defended service members for more than 25 years.
Why service members choose Gonzalez & Waddington
Gonzalez & Waddington, LLC is a civilian military defense firm representing U.S. service members worldwide. Michael Waddington is a former Army JAG prosecutor, Trial Defense Counsel and Senior Defense Counsel who has practiced military criminal defense for more than 25 years and has litigated more than 200 contested trials. Alexandra Gonzalez-Waddington is a founding partner with more than 20 years of military and criminal defense experience and a former Georgia public defender. Together they have written 14 books on military justice, cross-examination and trial advocacy, and both teach other lawyers at national CLE programs. The firm limits its caseload so the senior lawyers stay directly involved from investigation through trial or board.
What to bring to a consultation
- Any paperwork you received: rights advisement, notification memo, reprimand, charge sheet or investigation notice.
- A short timeline of events and the investigation so far.
- Names of key witnesses.
- Messages, emails, photos or records, preserved in their original form.
- Every deadline and suspense date you have been given.
Frequently asked questions
Should I hire a civilian lawyer if I already have a JAG?
In a serious case, often yes. You keep your JAG and add a lawyer whose practice is focused on contested military trials. The decision depends on the charges, the evidence and what is at stake.
Can a civilian lawyer and military defense counsel work together?
Yes. They routinely work as one defense team, with the civilian lawyer usually leading and the military counsel acting as associate counsel.
Will my military defense counsel be upset if I hire a civilian lawyer?
Professional defense counsel understand the right to retain civilian counsel. Good working relationships between civilian and military counsel are common.
Does hiring a civilian lawyer cost me my free military lawyer?
No. You may keep detailed military counsel unless you ask that they be excused.
Should I hire a former JAG as my civilian lawyer?
Military experience helps, but trial experience in your type of case matters more. Ask how many contested courts-martial the lawyer has personally tried.
Speak with a civilian military defense lawyer
If you are dealing with this now, the next step is a confidential conversation about the allegation, the evidence, your deadlines and what is at stake. Gonzalez & Waddington represents service members worldwide.
Call 1-800-921-8607 or text 954-799-4019 to request a consultation.