Former Army JAG and Senior Defense Counsel 25+ years defending service members Courts-martial defense worldwide
Reviewed by Michael Waddington, Founding Partner Updated October 8, 2026
Gonzalez & Waddington defends Vermont National Guard and Air National Guard service members at Burlington Air National Guard Base, Camp Johnson, and Camp Ethan Allen Training Site when a sexual assault allegation, drug charge, or false official statement threatens a career, a clearance, or freedom.
Attorneys Michael Waddington and Alexandra Gonzalez-Waddington are trial lawyers who fight courts-martial and UCMJ actions for service members across Vermont and worldwide, traveling to represent clients wherever orders take them. Vermont’s Guard-heavy force means service members on federal orders fall under CID or — when federalized — OSI jurisdiction, facing courts-martial, Article 15s, administrative separations, and security clearance actions.
Vermont’s military presence centers on the 158th Fighter Wing’s F-35A mission at Burlington ANGB, the Vermont Army National Guard headquarters at Camp Johnson in Colchester, and the Army Mountain Warfare School at Camp Ethan Allen Training Site in Jericho — units that deploy across the U.S., Europe, and the Middle East, meaning investigations routinely involve witnesses, evidence, and commands in multiple states and countries.
Call Gonzalez & Waddington at 1-800-921-8607 for a free, confidential consultation.
If you are searching for a Vermont military defense lawyer or a court-martial attorney representing service members in Vermont, you are likely facing a serious military justice issue. Although Vermont does not contain large active-duty military installations, it hosts important Air National Guard, Army National Guard, Reserve, and homeland defense missions that place service members under the authority of the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) whenever they serve on federal active-duty orders. Allegations that begin as command inquiries or informal complaints can rapidly develop into criminal investigations, administrative separation proceedings, Article 15 actions, Article 32 hearings, and courts-martial.
Gonzalez & Waddington represents service members stationed throughout Vermont and worldwide who face serious military criminal allegations. The firm focuses exclusively on military defense and contested court-martial litigation. Their attorneys defend Soldiers, Airmen, Sailors, Marines, Coast Guardsmen, Reservists, National Guard members, and Space Force personnel accused of felony-level offenses under the UCMJ.
Early legal representation is often critical. By the time many service members learn they are under investigation, investigators may already have collected statements, downloaded phones, interviewed witnesses, and briefed command leadership.
Many Vermont service members mistakenly believe that military justice issues only arise on large active-duty bases. In reality, National Guard personnel frequently face federal military investigations involving:
Because Vermont units regularly deploy throughout the United States, Europe, the Middle East, and Indo-Pacific regions, investigations may involve witnesses and evidence located across multiple states and countries.
Military personnel connected to Vermont units frequently face allegations involving:
One of Vermont’s most significant military installations is Burlington Air National Guard Base. The installation supports the Vermont Air National Guard’s F-35 fighter mission and homeland defense responsibilities.
Because of the highly technical nature of aviation operations, investigations frequently involve:
These cases often involve extensive digital evidence, administrative records, and witness testimony from both military and civilian personnel.
Camp Johnson serves as the headquarters of the Vermont National Guard and supports administrative, training, and readiness operations.
Investigations arising from Camp Johnson frequently involve:
The Ethan Allen Firing Range hosts military training involving Vermont National Guard personnel and units from around the country.
Training-related investigations often involve:
Because exercises frequently involve personnel from multiple states, these investigations can become highly complex.
The following examples are entirely fictional and provided only to illustrate common fact patterns that may arise in Vermont military communities.
Military justice matters often arise in civilian communities where service members live and work.
Common Vermont locations include:
Investigations often involve civilian police agencies, surveillance footage, digital communications, and civilian witnesses.
Because Vermont’s military presence is heavily National Guard-focused, many service members face legal issues involving:
Many of these matters carry career consequences even when no criminal charges are ultimately filed.
This video explains what your rights are and how experienced criminal defense lawyers can make a difference.
Facing a military investigation, UCMJ allegation, or serious criminal charge? Gonzalez & Waddington provides trial-focused defense for high-stakes cases. Call 1-800-921-8607 or text 954-799-4019 for a confidential, no-cost consultation.
