Serving in the United States Air Force or Space Force? Facing a court-martial, UCMJ action, Administrative Separation Board, or other Adverse Administrative Action? Call our experienced military defense lawyers at 1-800-921-8607 for a free consultation.
“Our military defense lawyers are among the most experienced and hard-hitting in the world. With an unparalleled track record, we provide aggressive, strategic defense tailored to each client’s unique situation. Trust us to fight relentlessly for your rights and deliver the best possible outcome.” (Michael Waddington, Military Defense Lawyer)
Our military defense lawyers represent US Air Force & Space Force members worldwide.
“I was falsely accused of abusive sexual contact while attending a military service academy. The investigation started the summer before my final year. During this time, I was in a very dark place. Although my commission and graduation were in jeopardy, I did not tell my parents until the holiday break. My parents wanted to look outside the military for a quality defense lawyer. We spoke with New York law firms and some lawyers we found online. We decided to hire Gonzalez and Waddington. A few other reviews mentioned that the Waddington’s were expensive. However, they were much less expensive than the New York lawyers that we talked to. They also had much more experience than the other law firms we interviewed. A few New York lawyers quoted my family over $150,000 for a trial, plus expenses. The Waddington firm cost much less, which surprised us a little. Trust me; they were well worth it. At first, I had faith in the system. Then, I realized the investigators assumed I was guilty when they did not interview many people who were favorable to me. When I heard from my friends that the investigators were trying to get my classmates to change their testimony, I knew they were gunning for me. After we hired them, Mr. Waddington worked closely with me to build a timeline, collect evidence, and assemble a list of witnesses. They gave me “homework,” which kept me active and engaged in my case. When I called, they listened to me and gave me hope. I could tell that they cared about me and my situation. Mr. Waddington explained that I was a key witness, so I documented as many details as possible. He guided me through the process, working together to build my defense. We decided to keep critical information hidden (texts, photos, statements) from the prosecution until the right time. Instead, we captured as much evidence as possible to use later. When the time came, Mr. Waddington used the information we gathered with great skill. He exposed the lies and holes in the prosecutor’s case. Finally, the Waddington’s cleared my name and reputation. Thankfully, I was commissioned and am on my way to a successful career. I owe my life and career to Michael and Alexandra. My family is forever grateful.” (US Army Cadet).
“I was accused of Sexual Assault in the military (Article 120). When my original ADC separated from active duty, I was terrified my case would fall through the cracks as I transitioned to another defense council. As a military officer, I had a lot to lose. After several deep discussions with loved ones it became abundantly clear it’s not worth chancing your freedom against military prosecutors. Enter Michael Waddington. From day one Mr. Waddington was active and involved with my case. He asked deep, probing questions, not because he was concerned with my feelings on the case, but because he cared about proving my innocence. I chose to retain my ADC, and they meshed effortlessly from my perspective. The weekend before my trial he flew in and we hit the ground running in preparation. During my trial, he handled the opening, closing, and cross-examination of several key witnesses. His cross-examination was bar-none in the courtroom. He knew what his objective was and how to expertly pull that information each time. He came off as an absolute professional and expert at what he does in the military courtroom. He poked holes in the prosecution’s case throughout. During the closings, you could see the prosecution making a last-ditch effort to discredit some of their witnesses. Mr. Waddington’s closing was simple and straight to the point of the case, regardless of the prosecutor’s many efforts to misdirect; he pointed out the MANY holes in their case they were unable to address. At the end of the day, I was acquitted of all charges and specifications. There really is no price I could place on the relief I feel knowing I can continue my career. The paralegal on my case commented at one point, “I’ve seen my fair share of civilian attorneys and Mr. Waddington is the best, by far.” Rest assured, he has your best interest in mind and he will be respected in whatever legal setting you may end up in.” (US Air Force E-6).
“I was facing 2 counts of UCMJ 112a, being a convicted felon, up to 10 years in prison and a dismissal. When I was arrested, I was completely shocked and knew that I needed counsel and not to say anything, but that was the extent of my knowledge. I had never been in trouble and now I am being told, I will lose everything. I am a single parent, facing not only losing my retirement, but my VA benefits, even my house. I did my research, took a long look at everything I could find, I didn’t want a good lawyer, I wanted the very best lawyer there is. When comparing up to $4 million in retirement benefits and paying up to $50,000 to have your life back, you do not “skimp” on getting good enough. You get the absolute most experienced, best trial council there is, that is Michael Waddington. The government only needs probably cause to take you to a general court martial, a positive urinalysis is that probable cause. I did not hire Mr. Waddington to find me a plea deal, I hired Mr. Waddington because he is the very best trial defense lawyer there is. There was not a close second that I found. He is routinely ranked in the top 100 lawyers in the country, he has defended more federal cases, actually fought it out in court, than anyone I could find. Do not take being charged by the government lightly. The government has unlimited resources and time. Do not try to beat the government alone, get someone who will fight for you, someone who does this job only for service members, get someone with honor and integrity, get Michael Waddington. Everyone wants to win, I was more concerned about that than how, but Michael Waddington did it above board, by the book, with integrity and defended me in a way that impressed the prosecution, the judge and the 8 Colonels on the panel. Michael is an honest person, an excellent lawyer, and someone you will never regret hiring. He is one of the good guys, trust him completely, he will not let you down. After 24 years of service, I am going to retire honorably and get to watch my kids grow up and I owe it to Michael Waddington.” (US Air Force O-5).
“I hired Michael and Alexandra Waddington to represent my son for an Article 120 case at Fort Hood. When my son called and broke the news, we knew we were in for a heck of a fight. From the beginning, the Army came after him with all their might. Aside from his squad leader, everyone abandoned him. After a few months of stress and getting nowhere with the Army lawyer, our family hired Michael and Alexandra. I was very happy with the responsiveness to our phone calls and texts. They worked together as a team and kept us updated. They really cared about the best interest of my son. After a year long struggle, I am happy to say that my son was able to finish his service and get out with an honorable discharge and without a criminal record. The Waddington’s cleared his name and reputation. We are forever grateful.” (US Army E-3).
“I have had the pleasure of working with Alexandra for the past year; she has done a remarkable job. Her expertise in military law is immediately evident, and her professionalism is second to none. But beyond that, Alexandra is a very warm and friendly person, making her a joy to work with. When I was facing allegations of abusive sexual contact in my final stretch of service in the military, Alexandra was able to reduce the charges to a simple Letter of Reprimand. She wisely counseled me not to submit a statement or rebuttal to the reprimand, as it would likely be used against me later. Alexandra then helped me avoid an administrative separation and retire with an Honorable Discharge, leaving my record as clean as possible. Throughout the process, she kept my best interest at the forefront while also considering my financial situation. In my experience with military lawyers, Alexandra is the one I would most highly recommend. I spoke to several lawyers before deciding on Alexandra and I am certain that it was the best decision I could have made.”(US Air Force O-5).
“Mr. Waddington knows how to step in and take control. We’ve been communicating on and off about my case for over a year. Sandra and Alex were also amazing and I never felt like I wasn’t first priority. At first we were preparing for a court martial for sexual assault, then that got dropped 2 month after I hired the Waddington’s. No charges were ever preferred, but I was notified several months later that I would be facing a board of inquiry (BOI) for various misconduct. Without any hesitation, I decided to follow through with having Mr. Waddington fight my case at a board because I did not trust that my ADC would provide an adequate defense (I later requested a different ADC). Two days before my board, Micheal showed up looking like he was ready for war! He and my newly appointed ADC prepped intensely and I was very impressed by how well they worked with each other and how much they knew about my case without me having to clarify much. I felt a new sense of confidence going into the board knowing that my team was ready to put on an intense fight. Mr. Waddington’s focus was to tell a story, that was his strategy. That became evident from the opening arguments where I heard him summarize my case to the board like an exciting movie trailer. Anyone who heard his opening would definitely pay to go see the flick, whereas the prosecution/recorders opening statement sounded like a straight to VHS movie in 2019. Throughout the BOI, I could tell that the prosecution stood no chance. Michael is a master at getting the facts out, even when I thought that he should add certain details and questions during his cross examination of witnesses, but I had to hold back and let the man do his thing in excellent form. I was quite entertained whenever he caught my accusers in their lies and whenever he got them to admit things which corroborated my story. The man is an artist, a storyteller, a well seasoned defense attorney, and a well oiled weapon when it comes to defense. He managed to prove my case and 9 out of 11 allegations were thrown out by the board, only leaving me with fraternization and adultery, which is what I admitted to since day one, almost 2 years ago. Look no further when it comes to true professionalism, experience, and aggressive defense! Thanks for helping me with my career and I’m glad that I made the choice to bring you onboard!” (US Air Force O-3).
“An accusation of sexual assault or Assault and Battery is a major life-changing event for any military service member. As a Senior NCO with over 20 years, you will be ignored, looked at like you are guilty before you even have a trial. DoD-provided Trial defense lawyers; you’ll be told to “just wait” or “stand by” until things get to the worst possible point and then offered a Chapter 10 to speed up the process of getting you out losing everything you worked for. If you’re a fighter for what you earned in your career and family life. I highly recommend you hire a dedicated professional like Michael Waddington and his team. My investigation started in November 2019 and then charged in September 2020 causing extreme life stressors. The process of locating a civilian lawyer is also not intuitive, as many of the websites are misleading or confusing. Again, consider what your life is worth to you. Consider the lifelong repercussions of a dishonorable or other-than-honorable discharge, and realize that you will not be able to fight the vast resources of the U.S. Government alone. The Waddington team actually answers their phones. They text back in a timely manner. They will review all the evidence, even as it continues to change and grow over time, and they will construct the best possible case to save your life. Expenses may seem like a lot of money, but I know to this day that it’s some of the best money I have ever spent. Do yourself a favor; before talking to anyone, hire Michael Waddington.” (US Army E-7).
“First, if you are reading this stop and email the Waddington’s NOW! It will immediately give you a fighting chance. Second not all lawyers on the internet are the same, so be careful, Do your research and don’t settle for a sub par lawyer. My story is from a distinguished senior NCO, that was preparing to return to the USA from Germany, When I was falsely accused of rape and assault of my former step daughter (7 years removed) in violation of 120b & 128. My world immediately stopped and I was LABELED A CHILD Rapist for 21 months even tho I was supposed to be presumed innocent. After a very biased and incomplete CID investigation I found my self standing before a jury. The Waddington’s flew to Germany prepared and ready to fight. Mr. Waddington destroyed the Governments case one element at a time, even making ALL THE WITNESSES, admit they LIED in some form of capacity. The Government even used my CID Interview against me, even tho the whole time (5hrs) I said I didn’t do it. After three long days and the worst case of booty shaking-nerves, the verdict of not guilty of all accounts was announced after a 40 min deliberation. Bet you are wondering how not guilty right. Well the Waddington’s was able to investigate and found out that my former step daughter had become out of control and when she found out I was coming back and that her mother wanted to get back together she said I raped her. Over 21 months the Government did nothing to vindicate me the target was painted and they had their man. The Waddington’s did the due diligence to show I was innocent. So in short what I am trying to say is give yourself a chance no matter what the case maybe. If you think their price is steep imagine loosing everything or spending life behind bars because you went with a subpar lawyer. And for heavens sake SHUT UP, DONT TALK TO ANYONE, because they can and will use everything you say against you, even tho it was you denying it all!!! Thank you Mr. & Mrs Waddington you saved my life from heinous accusations. I’ll forever be grateful.” (US Army E-7).
“Alexandra is an outstanding military defense lawyer and a wonderful person. My case was quite difficult because I had a 23-year career on the line and I was deployed. I felt like my command hung me out to dry. I needed a criminal lawyer that knew the Navy system and had the experience and wisdom to guide me through the landmines I faced. I also needed someone to get the command to back off and give me a fair investigation. I called Alexandra late one evening on a weekend and hired her the next day. She immediately went to bat for me and got me through this with full retirement and dignity intact. Thank you, Alexandra.” (US Navy O-5).
“Hard Hitting Aggressive Representation. We Defend Serious Criminal Cases Worldwide. this is correct he Flew all the way from the states to Vilseck, Germany to represent me. no matter the distance his team and him will answer all the questions you need. great outcome! Waddington was patient, kept his word and was very understanding! he will defend you and fight for you he will get every detail known and he will give you the best results I was being charges for adultery , assault and more crazy the military tried but if you have Mr Waddington by you there’s no one more clear and professional in the court room. He answered all my questions, even when I asked them several times! he will make you feel like a brother or a part of the family Trust him once you hire him put all the trust in him and what ever he tells you listen to him and everything will be fine. freedom is priceless don’t think twice his the best criminal defense lawyer no questions ask. as a Result I was found NOT GUILTY OF ALL CHARGES I can’t thank him enough I’m free God worked trough this men to give me a second chance at life god bless who ever is reading this trust me you should hire him as soon as possible if you need a lawyer.” (US Army E-5).
Civilian military defense lawyers play a crucial role in protecting the rights of Air Force personnel facing legal challenges under the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ). Their expertise extends to a wide range of cases, including:
Courts-Martial: Civilian attorneys can represent Airmen in all types of courts-martial, from summary courts-martial for minor offenses to general courts-martial for the most serious charges, such as Article 120 (sexual assault), Article 121 (theft), and Article 112a (drug offenses). They navigate the intricacies of the military justice system, ensuring their clients receive fair trials and aggressive defense.
Non-Judicial Punishment (NJP): Also known as Article 15, NJP is a disciplinary proceeding that can result in significant consequences. Civilian lawyers can advise and advocate for Airmen during NJP, helping them understand their options, present their side of the story, and potentially mitigate the punishment.
Administrative Separations: When the Air Force seeks to discharge an Airman for misconduct or performance issues, civilian attorneys can represent them in administrative separation boards, advocating for their continued service or an honorable discharge.
Other Legal Matters: Civilian lawyers can also assist Air Force personnel with a variety of other legal matters, such as appeals, discharge upgrades, security clearance issues, and representation before military boards.
With their specialized knowledge of military law and experience in navigating the unique challenges of the military justice system, civilian military defense lawyers provide invaluable support to Airmen facing legal difficulties. Their expertise helps ensure that service members receive fair treatment and due process under the law.
Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama
Little Rock Air Force Base, Arkansas
Beale Air Force Base, California
Edwards Air Force Base, California
Los Angeles Air Force Base, California
Travis Air Force Base, California
Buckley Air Force Base, Colorado
Schriever Air Force Base, Colorado
Dover Air Force Base, Delaware
Hurlburt Air Force Base, Florida
MacDill Air Force Base, Florida
Patrick Air Force Base, Florida
Robins Air Force Base, Georgia
Scott Air Force Base, Illinois
McConnell Air Force Base, Kansas
Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana
Columbus Air Force Base, Mississippi
Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska
Cannon Air Force Base, New Mexico
Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico
Pope Air Force Base, North Carolina
Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, North Carolina
Cavalier Air Force Base, North Dakota
Grand Forks Air Force Base, North Dakota
Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota
Altus Air Force Base, Oklahoma
Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma
Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina
Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota
Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas
Fairchild Air Force Base, Washington
Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea
Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea
RAF Alconbury, Cambridgeshire,United Kingdom
RAF Croughton, Northamptonshire, United Kingdom
RAF Fairford, Gloucestershire, United Kingdom
RAF Feltwell, Norfolk, United Kingdom
RAF Fylingdales, North York Moors, United Kingdom
RAF Lakenheath, United Kingdom
RAF Menwith Hill, North Yorkshire, United Kingdom
RAF Mildenhall, Suffolk, United Kingdom
RAF Molesworth, Cambridgeshire, United Kingdom
RAF Welford, Berkshire, United Kingdom
NATO Air Base Geilenkirchen, Germany
Landstuhl Regional Medical Center
Ankara Support Facility, Turkey
Kleine Brogel Air Base, Belgium
Lajes Field,Terceira Island, Azores, Portugal
Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, Japan
Al Dhafra Air Base, United Arab Emirates