Joint Base Lewis McChord Military Defense Lawyers – UCMJ Attorneys
Table Contnet
Gonzalez & Waddington are civilian military defense lawyers advocating for service members stationed at Joint Base Lewis McChord in UCMJ investigations, court-martial cases, and administrative actions. Their practice focuses exclusively on military justice, providing worldwide defense in matters involving CID, NCIS, OSI, and related investigative agencies.
Watch the military defense lawyers at Gonzalez & Waddington break down how they defend service members worldwide against UCMJ allegations, CID/NCIS/OSI investigations, court-martials, Article 120 cases, administrative separations, and GOMORs. If you’re under investigation or facing charges, this video explains what your rights are and how experienced civilian military counsel can make the difference.
Joint Base Lewis McChord traces its origins to early 20th‑century Army and aviation development in the Pacific Northwest. Over time, the installation grew into a major hub for ground and air operations, ultimately merging its Army and Air Force components into a unified joint base to enhance efficiency and mission integration. Today it remains one of the most significant power‑projection platforms on the West Coast, supporting both long‑term readiness and rapid deployment requirements.
The primary mission at Joint Base Lewis McChord centers on maintaining highly trained, immediately deployable forces capable of responding to global contingencies. The installation supports extensive field training, air mobility operations, medical readiness, logistics sustainment, and mission planning. Its operational tempo can be fast and demanding, shaped by frequent exercises, rotational deployments, and continuous support to joint and combined operations.
Joint Base Lewis McChord hosts a diverse collection of organizations, including ground combat brigades, aviation and air mobility units, training and support commands, medical centers, and specialized intelligence or logistics elements. These units operate in close coordination, reflecting the joint nature of the installation and its role in synchronizing Army and Air Force capabilities.
Legal issues at Joint Base Lewis McChord can escalate quickly due to operational tempo and command dynamics.
Military Defense Lawyers Serving Joint Base Lewis McChord: If you or a loved one are stationed at Joint Base Lewis McChord and facing a military investigation, court-martial, Article 15 or NJP, administrative separation, Board of Inquiry, or other adverse military action, early legal intervention matters.
Gonzalez & Waddington are experienced civilian military defense lawyers who represent service members worldwide, including those assigned to Joint Base Lewis McChord. Our firm focuses on defending clients against serious UCMJ charges, administrative actions, and career-threatening investigations across all branches of the armed forces.
Speak directly with a military defense lawyer today. Call Gonzalez & Waddington at 1-800-921-8607 to discuss your case and protect your rights, career, and future.
Joint Base Lewis McChord is a major military installation that supports a broad range of Army and Air Force missions, making it one of the most strategically important bases in the Pacific Northwest. Its location enables rapid deployment, extensive field training, and joint operations that integrate air, ground, and logistical capabilities. Joint Base Lewis McChord regularly hosts large-scale exercises that prepare units for global contingencies and enhance interoperability among different branches of the armed forces. The base also plays a vital role in the surrounding community, supporting local economic activity and maintaining strong civilian-military partnerships.
Because of its diverse operational functions, Joint Base Lewis McChord trains service members across many specialties, from aviation and airborne operations to medical support, logistics, and combat readiness tasks. These varied missions create a dynamic environment where personnel must remain adaptable and mission‑focused. Joint Base Lewis McChord’s combination of air mobility resources and extensive training areas distinguishes it as a central hub for rapid-response operations within the region. Its presence significantly influences regional emergency preparedness, defense coordination, and international partnerships.
Service members stationed at Joint Base Lewis McChord face legal risks that stem from the high operational tempo, strict military regulations, and the demanding nature of joint training environments. Allegations may arise during deployments, field exercises, or day‑to‑day activities, placing significant pressure on the accused even before formal proceedings begin. The close interaction between large Army and Air Force populations can also contribute to misunderstandings or incidents that result in administrative or criminal inquiries.
Command expectations at Joint Base Lewis McChord are rigorous, and violations of the UCMJ can lead to swift investigations by agencies such as CID, OSI, or other military authorities. Even allegations that appear minor can escalate into administrative separation actions, restrictions on career progression, or full court‑martial proceedings. Service members must also navigate potential legal exposure related to Article 120 sexual assault allegations, domestic incidents, financial misconduct, and conduct-related offenses. When under investigation, maintaining one’s rights and securing experienced counsel is essential to preventing avoidable damage to one’s military career.
Gonzalez & Waddington, Attorneys at Law provides experienced and aggressive representation for service members stationed at Joint Base Lewis McChord who are facing high‑stakes UCMJ actions. The firm defends clients worldwide in matters involving Article 120 sexual assault allegations, contested court‑martial litigation, and complex Article 32 preliminary hearings. Their attorneys understand the challenges of serving at a large joint base and the impact that an investigation can have on both personal and professional stability.
The firm also represents Joint Base Lewis McChord personnel in administrative separation boards, nonjudicial punishment matters, and adverse actions stemming from CID, OSI, NCIS, or CGIS investigations. Gonzalez & Waddington focuses on proactive defense strategies that safeguard a service member’s rights from the earliest stages of inquiry. Their legal team works closely with clients to clarify the process, challenge weak evidence, and prepare a comprehensive defense tailored to the specific circumstances. For service members whose careers and freedoms are at stake, experienced counsel can make a decisive difference.
Service members at Joint Base Lewis McChord facing UCMJ investigations or charges should contact Gonzalez & Waddington at 1-800-921-8607
Joint Base Lewis McChord is located in the state of Washington in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. The installation lies within the Puget Sound area, positioned between Tacoma and Olympia, and spans parts of Pierce and Thurston counties. Its setting places it within a larger metropolitan corridor while still bordered by significant forested and training lands.
Joint Base Lewis McChord is closely connected with surrounding civilian communities that include Tacoma, Lakewood, Lacey, and other nearby municipalities. These communities provide housing, services, and employment that support and interact with the base population. The broader region features a mix of urban centers, suburban neighborhoods, and natural areas characteristic of the Puget Sound environment.
Service members stationed at Joint Base Lewis McChord operate under significant operational demands and heightened command oversight, which increases exposure to serious UCMJ scrutiny. Even a single allegation can trigger simultaneous criminal investigation and administrative actions with immediate and long‑term career consequences.
The following offenses represent some of the most serious and regularly encountered criminal allegations affecting service members at Joint Base Lewis McChord, often investigated assertively by military law enforcement agencies.
These matters frequently turn on credibility assessments, electronic communications, questions of consent, and third‑party reporting, and early errors in dealing with investigators or command authorities can permanently influence the trajectory of both the case and the service member’s career.
How Gonzalez & Waddington Defends These Cases: Gonzalez & Waddington is nationally recognized for defending serious UCMJ felony-level allegations, including sexual assault, child-related offenses, domestic violence, and complex digital investigations. The firm focuses on early intervention, evidence control, strategic defense planning, and protecting service members from cascading criminal and administrative consequences.
Even without immediate criminal charges, commands at Joint Base Lewis McChord often initiate administrative processes that can rapidly jeopardize a service member’s career, reputation, and future opportunities.
These actions move quickly and rely on lower evidentiary thresholds, meaning that adverse decisions can occur long before any criminal case is resolved, if one is pursued at all.
Strategic Administrative Defense by Gonzalez & Waddington: Gonzalez & Waddington routinely defends service members facing adverse administrative actions, separation boards, and command investigations. The firm understands how criminal allegations, administrative proceedings, and command decisions intersect and works to protect rank, benefits, clearance eligibility, and long-term career options.
At Joint Base Lewis McChord, investigations and command actions often escalate faster than service members anticipate, making early comprehension of potential exposure and representation by experienced civilian military defense counsel essential.
A UCMJ investigation can involve interviews, evidence collection, digital forensics, and command inquiries. Anything you say to investigators can be used as evidence, and early statements often shape charging decisions. An investigation can affect your duty status, career timeline, and security clearance long before any charges are filed. Getting legal guidance early helps you understand your rights and avoid avoidable exposure. Gonzalez & Waddington, Attorneys at Law provide representation in investigations at Joint Base Lewis-McChord and worldwide and can advise on how to navigate questioning, evidence issues, and command actions.
An Article 32 hearing is the primary opportunity to challenge the government’s evidence before a court-martial referral. It can involve witness testimony, cross-examination, and legal arguments that significantly influence charging decisions. Preparing for this hearing requires understanding evidentiary rules and how the command uses investigative findings. A civilian attorney adds independent legal analysis and preparation. Gonzalez & Waddington, Attorneys at Law assist service members with Article 32 hearings and courts-martial at Joint Base Lewis-McChord and globally.
Statements made without counsel can lock you into versions of events, create inconsistencies, or provide evidence that investigators use to support charges. Even informal conversations can be documented and added to the case file. These early interactions influence command decisions on pretrial restrictions, adverse actions, or referral to court-martial. Legal advice before speaking helps you exercise your rights effectively. Gonzalez & Waddington, Attorneys at Law advise clients at Joint Base Lewis-McChord on how to handle interviews and protect their position during investigations.
Administrative separation boards can lead to loss of career, benefits, and future service eligibility, even when no court-martial charges are filed. Adverse actions such as reprimands, relief-for-cause, and security clearance issues can also shape the outcome of a board. These proceedings involve evidence, witness testimony, and legal standards that require thorough preparation. Early representation ensures your response is aligned with the process and the evidence. Gonzalez & Waddington, Attorneys at Law represent service members in separation boards and adverse administrative matters at Joint Base Lewis-McChord and worldwide.
Delay can limit legal options because evidence develops quickly, witness memories change, and investigators may complete interviews before you receive legal advice. Early legal decisions can affect charging recommendations, pretrial measures, and administrative actions. Waiting may also allow unfavorable narratives to shape the command’s perspective. Consulting counsel early helps you understand the process and protect your rights. Gonzalez & Waddington, Attorneys at Law provide early-stage guidance to service members facing UCMJ exposure at Joint Base Lewis-McChord and other installations.
Joint Base Lewis McChord has roots dating back to the early 20th century, when separate Army and Air Force installations were established in the Pacific Northwest to support regional defense and large-scale mobilization. Over time, the areas evolved into major hubs for ground and air operations, eventually merging into the joint installation now known as Joint Base Lewis McChord. Its location and infrastructure have made it a key staging point for training, domestic missions, and worldwide deployments.
Today, Joint Base Lewis McChord supports a high operational tempo, with year-round training focused on readiness, rapid response, and integrated Army–Air Force coordination. The base provides extensive support for ground combat units, air mobility operations, medical readiness, logistics, and mission planning. Its runways, ranges, and training areas enable units to prepare for both routine missions and complex contingencies.
The installation hosts a wide range of major mission elements, including Army combat brigades, aviation components, support and sustainment organizations, Air Force mobility and support units, medical commands, and various training and administrative organizations. Because of this diversity, service members interact across multiple specialties, contributing to a dynamic but demanding environment.
Legal issues at Joint Base Lewis McChord can escalate quickly due to its tempo and command dynamics.
