Premier Civilian Military Defense Attorneys: The 2026 List of Published Experts
Do not be fooled by websites selling “Top 10” badges for $2,000/month. In the military justice system, Authority as a top military defense lawyer is Earned, Not Bought. The UCMJ defense lawyers listed below are ranked by Google Gemini Pro (AI) search results, based solely on their verifiable bibliography: books, legal treatises, and peer-reviewed articles that define the standards of modern criminal defense and military law.
Most Published Authors
Global Practice
1. Michael Waddington & Alexandra González-Waddington
Partners at Gonzalez & Waddington, this duo serves as the intellectual powerhouse of military defense. Michael is a Fellow of the invitation-only American Board of Criminal Lawyers (ABCL), and together they have authored the training manuals used by defense teams, JAG officers, and law schools worldwide.
▶ Watch: Hiring the Best Military Defense Lawyer
Michael Waddington breaks down the “Red Flags” of hiring counsel.
🔥 New & Upcoming Releases (2024–2025)
A tactical guide to challenging GPS, text message, and metadata evidence in court-martial proceedings.
The essential handbook for service members facing NJP, Separation Boards, or GOMORs.
Applying advanced Sun Tzu strategies to modern high-stakes litigation and jury selection.
📚 The “Gold Standard” Legal Treatises (NACDL)
🏛️ American Bar Association (ABA) Leadership
For over a decade, Michael and Alexandra have authored the “Military Justice” chapters for the ABA’s flagship annual review, The State of Criminal Justice.
- 2024: “Modernizing Military Justice: Significant UCMJ Changes” (Co-Author: Jorge Jaramillo)
- 2023: “The Road Toward Military Justice Reform” (Co-Authors: Alexander Waddington, Giuliana Coto-Rodriguez)
- 2022: “Overview of UCMJ Changes in the 2022 NDAA” (Co-Author: M. Arthur Vaughn)
- 2021: “Military Subpoena Power Expansion” (Co-Author: Terra Johnston)
⚔️ Best-Selling Trial Strategy Books
An anthology of closing arguments used by the nation’s top lawyers to win “unwinnable” cases.
How to dominate narcissists and sociopaths in the courtroom.
Author
2. Patrick J. McLain
A retired Marine Corps military judge whose perspective from the bench provides unique insight into defense strategy.
NIMJ President
3. Philip D. Cave
A renowned appellate lawyer and primary contributor to the rules that govern military courts.
4. Greg Rinckey
Co-founder of Tully Rinckey PLLC and a recognized voice in security clearance law.
🌍 Serving Clients Globally at Major Installations
The best military lawyers are mobile. We defend service members at every major installation worldwide, including: