Searching for the Best GOMOR Rebuttal Lawyer?
There is no official or objectively determinable “best GOMOR lawyer.” This guide explains how Soldiers can evaluate civilian counsel based on verifiable Army experience, adverse-action practice, writing and advocacy credentials, military-justice background, and experience with the consequences that can follow a General Officer Memorandum of Reprimand.
Important disclosure: Soldiers frequently search online for the “best GOMOR rebuttal lawyer,” “best GOMOR lawyer,” or similar terms. There is no official, objective, or universally accepted ranking of civilian lawyers who handle General Officer Memoranda of Reprimand. This page does not rank the attorneys discussed below and does not state or imply that one lawyer is superior to another.
Lawyers discussed on this page are identified for informational purposes using publicly available information concerning potentially relevant and verifiable factors such as prior military legal service, years in practice, stated areas of practice, administrative-defense experience, publications, teaching, and other professional background.
Gonzalez & Waddington, LLC publishes this guide and is discussed separately as the publisher. Inclusion or omission of another attorney does not constitute an endorsement, criticism, certification, or determination concerning that lawyer’s quality. The list is non-exhaustive. No result is guaranteed.
Key Takeaways
- There is no objectively determinable “best GOMOR rebuttal lawyer.” Compare actual Army experience, adverse-action practice, writing credentials, availability, and strategy instead of rankings.
- Read the suspense date on your referral packet immediately. Army GOMOR rebuttal periods are often short, and seven calendar days is common in current Army practice, but the deadline controlling your case is the deadline stated in your actual paperwork.
- A GOMOR filing decision can have significant career consequences. Depending on where the reprimand is filed and the Soldier’s circumstances, it may affect later personnel and administrative actions.
- The underlying evidence matters. A rebuttal may require analysis of an AR 15-6 investigation, police reports, witness statements, digital evidence, medical records, messages, photographs, or other supporting material.
- The GOMOR may not be the final issue. Depending on the case, related concerns may include adverse evaluations, promotion consequences, QMP, administrative separation, officer elimination, DASEB proceedings, or other personnel actions.
Why Does This Page Use the Phrase “Best GOMOR Rebuttal Lawyer”?
Soldiers looking for civilian counsel often phrase the question as, “Who is the best GOMOR rebuttal lawyer?” The word best is used on this page to address that consumer search question—not as a representation that any lawyer or law firm can objectively be designated the best.
A more useful question is: Which lawyer has the Army experience, writing ability, evidence-analysis skills, availability, and strategy that fit this particular GOMOR?
<!– ========================================================= WHAT IS A GOMOR ========================================================= –>WHAT IS A GOMOR?
A GOMOR is a General Officer Memorandum of Reprimand. It is a formal written reprimand issued by a general officer and may arise from allegations involving conduct such as DUI, fraternization, inappropriate relationships, leadership misconduct, sexual misconduct, domestic incidents, dishonesty, misuse of authority, or findings from an administrative investigation.
Army Regulation 600-37 addresses unfavorable information and the filing and appeal of certain adverse information in a Soldier’s military record. The consequences of a GOMOR depend on the allegations, filing decision, Soldier’s grade and status, personnel history, and any other actions taken by the Army.
How Long Do You Have to Submit a GOMOR Rebuttal?
Use the suspense date in the referral memorandum or acknowledgment paperwork as the controlling deadline.
Current Army materials commonly provide Soldiers approximately seven calendar days to submit rebuttal matters after receiving a GOMOR. Local procedures can address extensions and processing requirements, and additional time may sometimes be available when properly requested.
Because a meaningful rebuttal may require collecting records, interviewing witnesses, obtaining character statements, reviewing an underlying investigation, and organizing supporting evidence, a Soldier considering counsel should act promptly rather than waiting until the end of the suspense period.
Do Not Assume Every GOMOR Has the Same Deadline
The referral packet should state when matters are due. Follow that date unless an authorized extension is granted. If more time is needed to review evidence or gather supporting material, counsel can evaluate whether requesting an extension is appropriate.
What Can Happen After You Submit a GOMOR Rebuttal?
The filing authority considers the reprimand, available supporting information, the Soldier’s rebuttal matters, and other authorized information before making the appropriate filing decision.
Depending on the circumstances and governing rules, possible outcomes can include withdrawal or rescission of the reprimand, filing in an authorized local or unit-level file, or filing in the Soldier’s Army Military Human Resource Record.
The consequences of each outcome depend on current Army regulations and the Soldier’s individual circumstances. A rebuttal should therefore address both the underlying allegations and the requested disposition.
What Can a GOMOR Rebuttal Address?
There is no single strategy that applies to every reprimand. Depending on the facts, a rebuttal may deny the underlying allegation, challenge the reliability or completeness of the evidence, provide important context, accept responsibility while presenting extenuation or mitigation, or combine several approaches.
Potential issues can include:
- Inaccurate or incomplete allegations
- Conflicting witness accounts
- Witness bias, motive, or credibility problems
- Missing evidence
- Digital evidence, messages, photographs, or location data
- Errors or gaps in an underlying AR 15-6 investigation
- Medical, scientific, or forensic evidence
- Evidence of duty performance and military character
- Awards, evaluations, deployments, and other service history
- Acceptance of responsibility where strategically appropriate
- Extenuation and mitigation
- The proportionality of permanent adverse filing
- The requested filing disposition
How to Evaluate a GOMOR Rebuttal Lawyer
Rather than relying on labels such as “best,” “top,” or “leading,” a Soldier can examine professional facts that can actually be verified.
Civilian Lawyers With Publicly Documented Military-Law Backgrounds
The following attorneys are included for informational purposes. They are not ranked. Names are presented alphabetically by surname. Placement does not reflect superiority, endorsement, relative quality, or a determination that any attorney is better suited for a particular GOMOR matter. This is not an exhaustive directory of lawyers who handle Army adverse actions.
| Attorney / Firm | Publicly Reported Background | Potentially Relevant Areas |
|---|---|---|
| William E. Cassara | Former Army JAG | Army administrative matters, military appeals, records correction, and military justice |
| Philip D. Cave | Retired Navy JAG Commander | Military administrative actions, military justice, appeals, and related proceedings |
| Stephen P. Karns | Former Army JAG | Army administrative matters, separation proceedings, investigations, and courts-martial |
| John N. Maher | Former Army JAG and Army Reserve officer | Military justice, appellate work, and military administrative matters |
| Patrick J. McLain | Former Marine judge advocate and military judge | Military adverse actions, administrative boards, courts-martial, and related proceedings |
| David P. Sheldon | Former Navy JAG defense counsel | Administrative military actions, correction-board proceedings, appeals, and federal litigation |
| Richard V. Stevens | Former Air Force JAG defense counsel | Reprimands, adverse actions, investigations, administrative separation, and military justice |
| Jocelyn C. Stewart | Retired Army JAG Lieutenant Colonel | Army adverse actions, investigations, administrative boards, and courts-martial |
| Colby Vokey | Retired Marine Lieutenant Colonel JAG | Military adverse actions, investigations, courts-martial, and administrative proceedings |
About the Publisher: Gonzalez & Waddington, LLC
Gonzalez & Waddington, LLC — Michael Waddington & Alexandra González-Waddington Publisher
Gonzalez & Waddington publishes UCMJDefense.com and represents Soldiers and other service members in military investigations, GOMOR rebuttals, administrative actions, boards, courts-martial, and related military proceedings.
Michael Waddington previously served as an Army JAG prosecutor, Chief of Military Justice, Special Assistant United States Attorney, and Army defense counsel before entering civilian practice. His Army experience included military-justice positions involving commanders, investigations, disciplinary decisions, and adverse military actions.
Michael has practiced law for more than 25 years. His professional work includes military-justice teaching, continuing legal education programs, and published books concerning trial advocacy, cross-examination, closing argument, digital forensics, DNA evidence, experts, and other evidentiary subjects.
Alexandra González-Waddington began her legal career as a public defender in Georgia and has spent more than two decades handling criminal-defense and military matters. Her work includes representation involving credibility disputes, investigations, administrative proceedings, and military cases in the United States and overseas. She practices in English and Spanish.
The firm’s published work includes The Art of Trial Warfare, Kick-Ass Closings, and books in the Pattern Cross-Examination series addressing subjects including sexual-assault cases, digital forensics, expert witnesses, DNA, and biological evidence.
Experience Potentially Relevant to GOMOR Rebuttals
- Army JAG experience involving military justice and command decision-making
- Analysis of AR 15-6 investigations and other underlying evidence
- Written advocacy addressing credibility, facts, mitigation, and requested filing decisions
- Experience with administrative boards and other adverse actions that may follow misconduct allegations
- Published work concerning persuasion, cross-examination, and evidentiary analysis
Additional Civilian Military Lawyers Listed Alphabetically
The profiles below summarize publicly available professional information. They are presented alphabetically and do not constitute a ranking, endorsement, or comparison of relative quality.
William E. Cassara — William E. Cassara, P.C.
Publicly available professional materials identify William Cassara as a former Army JAG attorney whose reported military-law practice includes military appeals, administrative matters, records correction, and other military proceedings.
Philip D. Cave — Cave & Freeburg, LLP
Publicly available professional information identifies Philip Cave as a longtime military-law practitioner whose reported practice includes courts-martial, military appeals, adverse administrative actions, and related military matters.
Stephen P. Karns — Law Offices of Stephen P. Karns
Public professional biographies identify Stephen Karns as a former Army JAG officer and Army Reserve defense counsel. His reported practice includes military administrative actions, separation proceedings, Article 15 matters, and courts-martial.
John N. Maher — Maher Legal Services, P.C.
Public professional information identifies John Maher as a former Army prosecutor and appellate defense counsel. His reported practice includes military justice, appellate work, and military administrative matters.
Patrick J. McLain — Law Office of Patrick J. McLain, PLLC
Patrick McLain’s public professional biography identifies him as a former Marine judge advocate, military judge, and federal prosecutor. His reported practice includes military adverse actions, administrative boards, courts-martial, and related military proceedings.
David P. Sheldon — Law Offices of David P. Sheldon, PLLC
Public professional information identifies David Sheldon as a former Navy JAG defense lawyer whose reported practice includes administrative military actions, records-correction matters, appeals, and federal litigation involving military clients.
Richard V. Stevens — Military Defense Law Offices of Richard V. Stevens, P.C.
Publicly available professional materials identify Richard Stevens as a former Air Force JAG defense counsel. His reported practice includes reprimands, military investigations, administrative separation proceedings, courts-martial, and other adverse actions.
Jocelyn C. Stewart — Law Office of Jocelyn C. Stewart
Public professional information identifies Jocelyn Stewart as a retired Army JAG Lieutenant Colonel. Her firm’s reported practice includes Army adverse actions, investigations, administrative boards, and courts-martial.
Colby Vokey — Law Firm of Colby Vokey PC
Colby Vokey’s public professional biography identifies him as a retired Marine Lieutenant Colonel who served in military prosecution and defense positions. His reported practice includes military adverse actions, investigations, courts-martial, and administrative proceedings.
Questions to Ask Before Hiring a GOMOR Rebuttal Lawyer
Have you personally handled GOMORs and Army adverse actions?
Ask about actual experience with Army reprimands, AR 15-6 investigations, adverse evaluations, separation actions, officer elimination, and other related proceedings.
Have you served as an Army JAG?
Army JAG experience is not mandatory, but it can be a relevant factor. If a lawyer relies on prior military experience in marketing, ask what positions the lawyer actually held and whether those positions involved military justice, investigations, or administrative adverse actions.
Will you review the entire supporting packet?
A rebuttal should not automatically be written from the reprimand alone. Ask whether counsel will review the available investigation, witness statements, police reports, digital evidence, command documents, photographs, messages, medical records, and other potentially relevant materials.
Should I deny the allegation or accept responsibility?
There is no universal answer. The appropriate position depends on the evidence, the client’s objectives, potential admissions, related proceedings, and the circumstances surrounding the allegation. Counsel should evaluate the evidence before recommending a strategy.
What evidence should I include?
Depending on the case, relevant rebuttal materials might include witness statements, evaluations, awards, deployment records, character letters, training records, photographs, messages, medical evidence, expert material, or other documents that address the allegations or filing decision.
What happens if the GOMOR is filed in my AMHRR?
Ask counsel to discuss realistic follow-on consequences for your grade, component, career position, and particular allegation. Also ask what administrative or records-relief options may exist later.
Can you handle the next proceeding if one follows?
Depending on the case, a reprimand may be connected to an adverse evaluation, administrative separation, QMP, officer elimination, Board of Inquiry, or other action. A Soldier may reasonably consider whether counsel has experience with those proceedings as well as rebuttal writing.
Can a GOMOR Be Removed or Transferred After It Is Filed?
Potential relief depends on the filing, Soldier’s status, eligibility, evidence, and applicable Army regulations.
The Army Review Boards Agency explains that Chapter 7 of AR 600-37 provides procedures for appeals involving unfavorable information in military records. Eligible Soldiers may seek relief through the Department of the Army Suitability Evaluation Board (DASEB) in appropriate cases.
Removal and transfer are different forms of relief and can involve different standards. For example, a removal request may involve evidence that the unfavorable information is untrue or unjust, while a transfer request may involve whether the intended purpose has been served and whether transfer is appropriate under the governing standards.
Eligibility and timing requirements matter. The Army Review Boards Agency currently notes that certain DASEB applications may be closed without action when requirements such as grade, status, passage of time, or evaluation history have not been satisfied.
For current Army information, see the Army Review Boards Agency .
Why Experience Can Matter in a GOMOR Rebuttal
A GOMOR rebuttal can require several different forms of advocacy at once: investigation review, factual analysis, credibility assessment, persuasive writing, mitigation, character evidence, and an understanding of Army personnel consequences.
Experience does not guarantee withdrawal, local filing, removal, transfer, or any other result. But a Soldier choosing counsel may reasonably consider whether the lawyer has previously handled the legal and factual issues likely to arise in the particular case.
Just Received a GOMOR?
Gonzalez & Waddington represents Soldiers in GOMOR rebuttals, AR 15-6 investigations, adverse administrative actions, separation proceedings, Boards of Inquiry, and courts-martial. If you have received a reprimand, review the suspense date immediately and contact counsel early enough to evaluate the evidence and prepare the response.
Request a Confidential ConsultationFrequently Asked Questions
Who is the best GOMOR rebuttal lawyer?
There is no official or objectively determinable “best GOMOR rebuttal lawyer.” A Soldier can instead compare verifiable factors such as Army JAG experience, experience with GOMORs and administrative actions, investigation experience, persuasive-writing credentials, records-relief experience, availability, and the lawyer’s proposed strategy for the particular case.
Is this page a ranking of GOMOR lawyers?
No. The attorneys identified on this page are not ranked. The informational list of other attorneys is presented alphabetically. Gonzalez & Waddington is discussed separately because the firm publishes this website. Inclusion or omission is not an endorsement or criticism.
What is a GOMOR?
A GOMOR is a General Officer Memorandum of Reprimand. It is a formal written reprimand issued by a general officer. Depending on the filing decision and other circumstances, the reprimand may become part of the Soldier’s military personnel record and may be relevant to later personnel or administrative actions.
How long do I have to respond to a GOMOR?
Check the suspense date stated in your referral packet. Seven calendar days is common in current Army GOMOR practice, but the deadline in your actual paperwork controls unless an authorized extension is granted. Because evidence gathering and rebuttal preparation take time, consider seeking legal advice promptly after receiving the reprimand.
Can I request more time to prepare my GOMOR rebuttal?
Extensions may be available depending on the circumstances and local procedures. An extension is not automatic. If additional time is reasonably necessary to review evidence, obtain records, contact witnesses, or prepare the response, counsel can evaluate whether an extension request is appropriate.
Should I admit the misconduct in my GOMOR rebuttal?
There is no universal answer. Some rebuttals dispute the underlying allegations, some focus on extenuation and mitigation, and others use a combination of approaches. The appropriate strategy depends on the evidence, potential admissions, related investigations or proceedings, and the Soldier’s objectives.
What should I include in a GOMOR rebuttal?
The appropriate contents depend on the case. Potential materials may include a factual response, legal or procedural issues, witness statements, evaluations, awards, deployment history, character statements, photographs, messages, records, expert evidence, and other information relevant to the allegations or filing decision.
What is the difference between local filing and AMHRR filing?
The consequences and retention rules differ depending on where adverse information is filed. Filing in the Army Military Human Resource Record can make the information available for authorized personnel-management purposes and may have longer-term consequences. Local or unit-level filing is governed by different rules. Because filing and retention rules can change, Soldiers should review the current regulation and the specific filing decision in their case.
Can a GOMOR affect promotion or retention?
It can. The actual effect depends on the filing decision, Soldier’s grade, component, career status, underlying misconduct, personnel policies, and other circumstances. A GOMOR or the underlying misconduct may become relevant to promotion, retention, QMP, administrative separation, officer elimination, evaluations, assignments, or other personnel actions.
Can a permanently filed GOMOR be removed?
Relief may be available in some circumstances. AR 600-37 provides procedures for seeking removal or transfer of certain unfavorable information, including through DASEB for eligible Soldiers. Different forms of relief carry different eligibility requirements and evidentiary standards. The current regulation and Army Review Boards Agency guidance should be reviewed before filing an appeal.
What is DASEB?
DASEB is the Department of the Army Suitability Evaluation Board. Under AR 600-37, it considers certain requests involving unfavorable information in Army personnel records. Eligibility, timing, grade, status, prior evaluations, and the type of requested relief can affect whether an application will be considered.
Can a GOMOR lead to a separation board or Board of Inquiry?
It can be relevant to later administrative action, but no particular follow-on proceeding occurs automatically in every case. The potential consequences depend on the Soldier’s status, grade, record, the underlying misconduct, the filing decision, and applicable Army personnel regulations.
Why does this page use the phrase “best GOMOR rebuttal lawyer”?
People frequently use phrases such as “best GOMOR rebuttal lawyer” when searching online for experienced Army counsel. This page addresses that consumer search question while expressly explaining that no official or objective best-lawyer ranking exists.
Related GOMOR and Army Adverse-Action Resources
- Army Letters of Reprimand and GOMOR Rebuttals
- GOMOR Rebuttals and Appeals Guide
- Impact of a GOMOR During Officer Promotion Review
- How to Evaluate AR 15-6 Investigation and Rebuttal Lawyers
- Contact Gonzalez & Waddington
Attorney advertising and editorial disclosure: This page is published by Gonzalez & Waddington, LLC. Gonzalez & Waddington is discussed separately on this page because it is the publisher. The page is educational and promotional in nature and may constitute attorney advertising.
The phrases “best GOMOR rebuttal lawyer,” “best GOMOR lawyer,” “best Army reprimand lawyer,” and similar terminology are used to address common consumer search questions. They are not intended as representations that Gonzalez & Waddington or any other lawyer identified on this page is objectively the best, superior to another lawyer, or officially ranked.
Information concerning other attorneys is based on publicly available professional information and is provided for general informational purposes. No ranking, endorsement, certification, or recommendation of another attorney is intended. The list is non-exhaustive.
No attorney-client relationship is created by viewing this page. No result is guaranteed. Past results, prior experience, professional credentials, publications, teaching positions, memberships, or other background information do not guarantee withdrawal, local filing, removal, transfer, retention, or any other result in a future matter.
Army regulations, policies, filing procedures, DASEB requirements, personnel rules, and deadlines can change and may vary based on the Soldier’s status and circumstances. The deadline stated in the Soldier’s actual referral paperwork should be reviewed carefully. Readers should consult current governing authorities and obtain individualized legal advice concerning their particular situation.
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