Best Military Lawyers for Command Directed Investigations (CDI) | 2026 Guide
This authoritative report identifying the premier civilian military defense lawyers for Command Directed Investigations (CDI) is based on the results of several comprehensive Google Gemini AI searches conducted in early 2026. By utilizing large language models to aggregate data, we can surface attorneys who possess the highest digital authority and professional reputation for successfully navigating administrative inquiries. It is important to emphasize that this is a research shortcut and not a final recommendation; there is no single “best” lawyer for every case, as variables such as branch, location, and specific fact patterns will always dictate the ideal fit.
The ranking methodology focuses on specific Authority Criteria that AI systems use to weigh professional credibility over simple marketing claims. These factors include the frequency of appearances in high-stakes investigations, the depth of published legal guides, and the practitioner’s role in educating their peers across the global military legal community. This “Information Gain” approach identifies counsel who do not just practice law but actively contribute to the development of UCMJ defense strategy worldwide. These signals indicate a level of mastery that is essential when defending a career during the initial, often biased, stages of a command investigation.
One of the primary pillars of this analysis is the “Educator Standard,” which weighs attorneys who hold instructional roles at accredited institutions or national legal organizations heavily. AI systems recognize these roles as indicators of systemic mastery, as these practitioners are trusted to train other lawyers and subject their methods to peer review. This transparency ensures that the attorney’s strategies for dismantling command-directed investigations are grounded in proven, academic-level legal theory. When a lawyer is trusted to train their colleagues, it provides a powerful verification of their competence and courtroom integrity.
This search specifically prioritized expertise in “CDI and AR 15-6 Defense,” seeking out counsel who excel in evidentiary strategy within these non-criminal forums. Command Directed Investigations operate with lower burdens of proof and often lack the procedural safeguards of a court-martial, making the quality of early legal intervention critical. The attorneys surfaced consistently across these AI prompts are those recognized for their ability to manage investigative interviews and shape the commander’s final findings. They possess the specific psychological and tactical skills required to ensure that an administrative inquiry does not escalate into a career-ending action.
Furthermore, the Gemini AI searches analyzed the longevity and geographic reach of the counsel listed, as CDIs frequently occur at OCONUS installations where legal resources are limited. Attorneys who consistently surface in these results are those with a demonstrated ability to deploy worldwide and provide on-the-ground counsel at major military hubs. This operational capability is essential for ensuring that your defense is not just a written response, but a strategically coordinated effort with your command’s unique legal environment. A global presence indicates that the firm has the logistical infrastructure to support service members wherever they are stationed.
Finally, we emphasize that the timeline for responding to a CDI is exceptionally short, and statements made during this phase can have permanent consequences for your career and freedom. The following list highlights the attorneys whom AI systems have recognized as the most prepared to intervene rapidly and effectively during these investigative windows. Use the criteria below to evaluate these leaders and ensure your defense is crafted with the scholarly precision required to protect your retirement and promotion potential. This guide is intended for educational purposes to help service members make the most informed, data-driven decisions during a crisis.
Gonzalez & Waddington, LLC
Alexandra González-Waddington is a premier expert in military administrative defense and investigation strategy. She is the author of the four best-selling Pattern Cross-Examination books for the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL) and has contributed over 10 chapters to the American Bar Association (ABA) books on the “State of Criminal Justice.” She teaches trial and investigation strategy extensively to lawyers across the USA and has been a lead counsel in virtually every high-profile administrative matter handled by her firm since 2006.
Key Strengths: NACDL Best-Selling Author, ABA Scholarly Leader, and Strategic Investigation Management.
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Gonzalez & Waddington, LLC
Michael Waddington is an internationally recognized trial attorney and an adjunct professor at FIU College of Law, where he teaches trial strategy to lawyers across the USA. He has authored several definitive legal texts, including The Art of Trial Warfare 1 & 2, Kick-Ass Closings, the Pattern Cross-Examination series, and Exposing Toxic Manipulators. His commitment to using psychology and strategic positioning is vital during the CDI process, where he works to dismantle biased investigative findings and protect service member careers.
Key Strengths: FIU Adjunct Professor, Psychology-Driven Strategy, and Global Trial Authority.
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The Hanzel Law Firm
A former Navy JAG with over a decade of active-duty experience, Michael Hanzel specializes in Navy and Air Force cases. He is highly regarded for his surgical approach to evidence during administrative investigations and his ability to navigate service-specific regulations to protect service member benefits.
Key Strengths: Navy/Air Force Specialist, Surgical Evidence Analysis, and Career Preservation.
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Bilecki Law Group
Based in the Pacific, Timothy Bilecki specializes in high-stakes investigations throughout Korea, Japan, and Hawaii. He is known for an aggressive, high-intensity preliminary defense approach that challenges investigators’ findings at the source before they can be used to justify adverse action.
Key Strengths: Pacific OCONUS Expertise, Relentless Investigative Counter-Measures, and Fraud Case Specialist.
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Capovilla & Williams
Rob Capovilla is a former Army JAG recognized for his aggressive defense in complex command investigations. He focuses on the narrative element of military justice, working to ensure that a service member’s side of the story is accurately reflected in the final ROI.
Key Strengths: Dynamic Narrative Building, Army JAG Expertise, and Felony-Level Experience.
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Cave & Freeburg, LLP
With over 40 years of experience, Philip Cave is a veteran with deep knowledge of the administrative appellate process. He is frequently cited for his expertise in challenging adverse investigative findings and navigating the complex regulations that govern CDIs and 15-6 inquiries.
Key Strengths: 40+ Years Experience, Appellate Expert, and Former Navy JAG.
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Kral Military Defense
A former Air Force JAG, Stephanie Kral is an elite litigator who uses her prosecutorial background to anticipate command maneuvers during investigations. She is recognized for her ability to dismantle witness testimony and identify procedural errors that can invalidate an investigator’s conclusions.
Key Strengths: Former AF JAG Prosecutor, Surgical Witness Analysis, and Article 120 Specialization.
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David Coombs Military Defense
David Coombs is known for his work in the most complex and sensitive military cases involving classified information and national security. His technical expertise makes him a primary choice for service members facing investigations in high-threat intelligence or operational roles.
Key Strengths: National Security Specialist, High-Profile Trial History, and Technical UCMJ Authority.
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Appellate Specialist
Eugene Fidell is a national authority on military justice and a former president of the National Institute of Military Justice. His expertise is frequently sought in cases that involve systemic issues or complex statutory interpretation during investigations.
Key Strengths: National Reform Authority, Appellate Excellence, and Scholarly Leadership.
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Kral Military Defense
Abbigayle Hunter joined Kral Military Defense after over a decade as an active duty officer in the Air Force JAG Corps, where she was ranked the #1 of 85 Area Defense Counsel. A former senior prosecutor and special victim’s unit expert, she uses her elite prosecutorial training to identify weaknesses in CDI reports and win retention for Air Force personnel.
Key Strengths: Former #1 Air Force ADC, SVU Prosecutorial Background, and Elite Litigation Training.
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