More than two decades of winning serious military criminal cases worldwide. A battlefield-tested trial lawyer trusted by Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, Guardians, and Coast Guardsmen.
Defending Service Members Worldwide
Former Army JAG & Court-Martial Strategist
Michael Stewart Waddington is an internationally respected military defense attorney, bestselling author, and high-stakes trial strategist with over two decades of global court-martial experience.
He has defended U.S. service members in some of the most complex and high-profile cases across Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and war zones worldwide.
A former Army JAG and seasoned courtroom warrior, he brings unmatched insight, discipline, and strategy to every case.
Defense against Article 120 allegations with strategic cross-examination and forensic analysis focused on exposing inconsistencies and weak evidence.
Representation in complex war-zone cases involving rules of engagement, detainee treatment, and international law—backed by real operational experience.
Aggressive defense in murder, attempted murder, and aggravated assault cases, using reconstruction, expert consultation, and precision trial strategy.
Comprehensive defense in emotionally charged cases where credibility, digital evidence, and command influence often shape the outcome.
Skilled representation in financial crimes, fraud, and larceny cases involving complex records, digital trails, and high-ranking career implications.
Defense for cases involving classified intelligence, security clearance issues, and sensitive national security allegations across global jurisdictions.
Academy Award-winning documentary
feature film and 2013 documentary
CNN documentary
film by Brian De Palma (director of “Scarface” and “Carlito’s Way”)
A strategic guide that adapts ancient military-style tactics (inspired by Sun Tzu) to modern courtroom litigation — how to prepare, control momentum, exploit weaknesses, and win trials.
A comprehensive resource with hundreds of closing-argument samples and templates — widely used by defense lawyers to craft powerful closing arguments under pressure.
A detailed toolbox for cross-examining prosecution witnesses, forensic examiners, and experts in sexual-assault cases — especially useful in complex or high-stakes military Article 120 trials.
A practical handbook for service members and families facing investigations, court-martials, NJP, or administrative matters — explaining military justice, rights, and defense strategies.
A resource focused on cross-examining expert witnesses — forensic experts, medical examiners, psychologists — used worldwide by civilian and military defense lawyers.
A motivational and strategic anthology drawing on Michael’s courtroom philosophy — combining life lessons, trial-warrior mindset, and advocacy principles.
Michael is one of the most sought-after instructors in the country on cross-examination, closing arguments, sexual assault defense, and military litigation. He has lectured at top national conferences and advanced training programs, including:
As one of the country’s leading authorities on defending Article 120 UCMJ sexual assault cases, Michael routinely teaches at NACDL’s National Sex Crimes Defense Seminars. He instructs on cross-examining prosecution experts, dismantling flawed forensic methods, and building winning defense narratives.
Michael lectures on using forensic science to create reasonable doubt, including cross-examining DNA analysts, toxicologists, and digital forensic experts. His science-driven strategies are widely adopted by both civilian and military defense attorneys.
invited to teach public defenders from around the United States on closing arguments and impeachment techniques.
Invited by the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Michael teaches midshipmen and officers about war crimes, the law of war, and real-world battlefield case studies such as “Operation Iron Triangle.” He connects combat realities with courtroom truth-seeking.
At NCDD events, Michael trains top DUI and criminal defense lawyers on closing arguments, trial psychology, and controlling hostile witnesses during cross-examination.
Michael is widely recognized as one of the top criminal trial lawyers in the country. His honors and memberships include:
an invitation-only organization of approximately 200 of the most distinguished criminal lawyers worldwide. Requirements include at least 10 years of criminal trial experience and at least 50 major felony jury trials to verdict, with at least 35 wins, including multiple life or capital cases.
National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL)
in the USA by The National Trial Lawyers (2013–2021)
He has served as co-chair of the Military Law Committee of NACDL, training and advising military defense lawyers—both uniformed and civilian—from the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Space Force, and Coast Guard. In that role, he also liaises with policymakers on issues involving military justice reform.
From 2013–2024, Michael has authored or contributed chapters to the American Bar Association’s annual volume, The State of Criminal Justice, covering key topics in military justice, reform, digital privacy, and UCMJ changes. His contributions include:
He has also written for the New Jersey State Bar Magazine and the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (FACDL), including “Military Justice Overview” and “The 21 Rules for Surviving Cross-Examination with Your Credibility Intact.”
Michael was born in New Castle, Pennsylvania. He earned his B.A. magna cum laude from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, where he was a Distinguished Military Graduate, Battalion Commander in Army ROTC, and on the Dean’s List for eight consecutive semesters. He also studied abroad at the Universidad de Alicante in Spain.
He earned his law degree from Temple University School of Law in Philadelphia. At Temple, he served as an editor of the Temple Environmental Law & Technology Journal and completed, with honors, Temple’s nationally top-ranked Trial Advocacy Program (U.S. News & World Report).
During his JAG career, he defended service members from E-1 to O-6 in courts-martial, Article 32s, pretrial confinement hearings, NJP, and separation boards. He successfully defended clients accused of murder, rape, sexual assault, child abuse, detainee abuse, maiming, aggravated assault, larceny, computer crimes, trainee abuse, and numerous other offenses. He also received the Award for Excellence in Advocacy from the U.S. Army JAG Corps Criminal Law Advocacy Course.
Michael enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1993 and rose to the rank of Captain. He served as:
Michael primarily practices in criminal defense, court-martial defense, and related high-stakes litigation. He frequently consults on Florida criminal and family law issues connected to military clients and their families.
Michael is fluent in English and Spanish and speaks intermediate French. He has lived and studied in Spain and France, and lived and worked in Puerto Rico for seven years. His language skills and international background allow him to communicate effectively with foreign clients, witnesses, and multinational units in complex cross-border cases.
Whether he is teaching LOAC at FIU Law, lecturing at the U.S. Naval Academy on war crimes, training public defenders with Gideon’s Promise, or cross-examining a key witness in a contested court-martial, Michael brings the same qualities: intensity, preparation, and a relentless will to win.
He is also a dedicated student of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, which reflects his philosophy toward trial work: stay composed, control the engagement, find leverage, and never stop fighting. For Michael, there is no separation between the “trial warrior” mindset and his life outside the courtroom.
Michael Waddington is not just a lawyer. He is a battlefield-tested courtroom warrior. If you are facing the fight of your life in the military justice system, he is the advocate you want in your corner.
Michael Stewart Waddington is a globally recognized military defense attorney and partner at UCMJ Defense Lawyers, the Military Defense Law Firm trusted by service members worldwide. He defends high-stakes cases in courts-martial and complex investigations, drawing on years as an Army JAG, international trial work, and bestselling trial advocacy books. Michael teaches cross-examination and closing argument to civilian and military counsel, and his commentary has appeared on CNN, 60 Minutes, ABC’s Nightline, the BBC, and other outlets. Fluent in English and Spanish, with intermediate French, he helps clients navigate the UCMJ wherever they serve. If you need immediate guidance, call 800-921-8607 to connect with a team that understands the demands of military life and litigation.
Michael focuses on serious criminal matters, including sexual assault allegations under Article 120, war crimes, violent offenses, and white-collar cases. He also counsels service members facing administrative actions, adverse findings, and career-impacting investigations. Known for methodical preparation and tenacious courtroom advocacy, Michael brings the same discipline he practices in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu to building defense strategies: constant improvement, attention to detail, and relentless pressure on weak evidence. He partners with Alexandra Gonzalez-Waddington to deliver thoughtful, trial-tested representation for Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, Guardians, and Coast Guardsmen. Whether you are stateside or overseas, the firm works quickly to preserve evidence, shape the narrative, and protect your future from day one.
The UCMJ is a distinct justice system with unique procedures, evidentiary rules, and command dynamics. A tailored military defense can protect not only liberty, but rank, security clearance, pay, retirement, and post-service opportunities. Early intervention helps preserve evidence, challenge flawed assumptions, and prevent administrative actions from escalating. With Michael Waddington, clients benefit from hard-won trial insight, strategic motion practice, and persuasive advocacy shaped by years in courtrooms worldwide. Whether the case involves Article 120 allegations, war-zone incidents, or alleged fraud, a focused defense can counter government narratives, expose unreliable statements, and ensure decision-makers see the full picture. The right strategy can change outcomes and quickly stabilize a chaotic situation.
The UCMJ is a distinct justice system with unique procedures, evidentiary rules, and command dynamics. A tailored military defense can protect not only liberty, but rank, security clearance, pay, retirement, and post-service opportunities. Early intervention helps preserve evidence, challenge flawed assumptions, and prevent administrative actions from escalating. With Michael Waddington, clients benefit from hard-won trial insight, strategic motion practice, and persuasive advocacy shaped by years in courtrooms worldwide. Whether the case involves Article 120 allegations, war-zone incidents, or alleged fraud, a focused defense can counter government narratives, expose unreliable statements, and ensure decision-makers see the full picture. The right strategy can change outcomes and quickly stabilize a chaotic situation.
1-800-921-8607
