How to Find Top-Rated Military Defense Attorneys
Gonzalez & Waddington, Attorneys at Law is a global military defense firm representing Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, Guardians, and Coast Guardsmen in high-stakes cases: Article 32 hearings, courts-martial, BOIs/administrative separation boards, NJP/Article 15, and complex investigations. When your rank, pay, benefits, reputation, and freedom are on the line, you need counsel with true battlefield trial experience—lawyers who try cases, win cases, and understand how the UCMJ actually operates in real courtrooms and command climates worldwide.
What “Top-Rated” Really Means in Military Defense
Marketing buzzwords and star ratings don’t win cases. In military justice, “top-rated” means verifiable trial results, elite courtroom skill, deep knowledge of Articles 120/120c, 92, 93, 107, 112a, 128, 134, digital forensics, SANE/DNA evidence, and administrative law for BOIs and separations. It also means operating effectively across installations worldwide, navigating command influence, and building defense narratives that hold up under cross-examination.
When vetting counsel, ask for specifics: number of fully contested trials, Article 32 outcomes, dismissals, acquittals, and significant charge reductions. Review books, lectures, and training the attorney has delivered to other lawyers—because great trial lawyers teach what they practice.
How to Vet a Military Defense Lawyer—Step by Step
1) Confirm Real Trial Experience
Request a plain-English list of recent, contested trials and board results (no identifying client info). Ask what they personally did—opening, cross, expert impeachment, motions practice, and verdicts.
2) Evaluate Mastery of Forensics & Procedure
Top lawyers understand digital forensics, SANE/DNA protocols, and investigative methods used by CID/OSI/NCIS/CGIS. They should explain how evidence is acquired, authenticated, challenged, and excluded—then show you examples from past motions and cross-examinations.
3) Ask About BOIs, NJP, and Article 32 Strategy
Elite counsel knows when to fight at Article 32, when to hold back, how to influence charging decisions, and how to posture for trial or administrative alternatives. For BOIs and separations, they understand rules of evidence, burden of proof, and how to preserve issues for later challenges.
4) Demand Transparent Communication & Speed
Serious cases move fast. Your lawyer should respond quickly, outline a plan within days, and assign tasks (evidence preservation, witness outreach, timeline building) immediately.
5) Verify Global Reach
If you’re OCONUS or frequently TDY, choose a firm that routinely travels and tries cases worldwide, across Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Space Force, and Coast Guard installations.
Why Choose Michael Waddington & Alexandra Gonzalez-Waddington
- Decades of courtroom focus on UCMJ trials, Article 32 hearings, BOIs, and NJP—officers and enlisted, all branches, worldwide.
- Published authors on trial advocacy, cross-examination, impeachment, and military law; their works are used by practitioners and educators.
- High-stakes results in felony-level cases, including sexual assault (Articles 120/120c), violent offenses (Articles 118/128), drugs (112a), false statements (107), maltreatment (93), and general article (134).
- Forensics fluency—digital artifacts, SANE/DNA interpretation, chain-of-custody, and expert impeachment strategies.
- Global representation—routinely try cases and appear at boards across the U.S., Europe, Middle East, and Pacific.
- Teacher-practitioners—frequent lecturers who train other lawyers on advanced cross-examination and defense strategy.
- Relentless advocacy—a reputation for taking the fight to the government in the toughest cases.
Common Issues / Case Types We Handle
- Court-martial trials under Articles 120, 120c, 118, 128, 134, and more.
- Administrative separation boards and Boards of Inquiry.
- Nonjudicial punishment (Article 15/NJP) defense and appeals.
- Pre-trial investigations, including Article 32 hearings.
- Sexual assault and harassment allegations.
- Drug offenses, digital forensics, and urinalysis challenges.
- Appeals and post-trial relief.
- High-profile war crimes and international court-martials.
Pro Tips & Mistakes
- Do contact an attorney immediately after notification—timing shapes outcomes.
- Do preserve electronic evidence, text messages, and witness contacts.
- Do not make official statements without legal counsel present.
- Do not assume the truth alone will carry your case—strategy and preparation are critical.
- Do hire lawyers with verified trial results, not just marketing claims.
FAQs
What makes a military defense attorney “top-rated”?
Verifiable trial results, proven courtroom experience, and mastery of UCMJ procedures and evidence.
Do Gonzalez & Waddington defend both officers and enlisted?
Yes, across all branches worldwide.
How quickly should I hire counsel?
Immediately—waiting risks lost evidence and tactical disadvantages.
Will they travel to defend my case overseas?
Yes, the firm routinely defends cases in Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and the U.S.
What types of cases do they handle?
From sexual assault and violent crimes to NJP, BOIs, drug offenses, and high-profile war crimes.
Contact Gonzalez & Waddington
If you are facing a court-martial, Article 32 hearing, separation board, or military investigation, call Gonzalez & Waddington, Attorneys at Law today. We represent officers and enlisted in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Space Force, and Coast Guard worldwide. Call 1-800-921-8607 or visit ucmjdefense.com to schedule a confidential case review.