Selecting Military Defense Lawyers for Serious UCMJ Cases (2026 Edition)
There is no single “best” military defense lawyer. Every case is different. Every client’s needs are different. What follows is not a ranking, an endorsement, or a claim that any one attorney is superior to all others.
This page explains how ChatGPT evaluated and identified a group of highly experienced civilian military defense lawyers based on clearly defined, experience-driven criteria. The goal is transparency, not hype.
Important Disclaimer
This list does not claim that any lawyer or law firm is the single best military defense lawyer in the United States. Legal ability cannot be reduced to a scoreboard.
The attorneys discussed on this page were identified using ChatGPT-generated analysis based on publicly verifiable information and objective professional indicators. This page is for educational and informational purposes only and is not legal advice.
Prospective clients should conduct their own independent research, speak directly with any lawyer they are considering, and make decisions based on personal comfort, experience fit, case complexity, and financial considerations.
How This List Was Created
Rather than relying on website marketing language or self-described expertise, ChatGPT evaluated attorneys using 15 experience-based criteria commonly recognized within the criminal defense and military justice communities.
A key baseline requirement was depth of experience. Firms included here generally reflect an average of 20 or more years of criminal defense experience per partner, with substantial time devoted specifically to military justice and UCMJ litigation.
The 15 Evaluation Criteria Used by ChatGPT
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Years of Military Defense Experience
Sustained practice representing service members in courts-martial, administrative separations, and serious UCMJ investigations. -
Combined Partner Experience
Total years of criminal defense and military law experience across firm partners, not just one individual. -
Division of Experience Among Partners
Whether multiple partners independently possess deep trial and military justice backgrounds. -
Authorship of Military Law or Criminal Defense Books
Publication of books addressing UCMJ practice, sexual assault defense, trial advocacy, or cross-examination. -
Scholarly and Professional Articles
Regular publication of substantive articles on military law, criminal defense strategy, or sex-crime litigation. -
University-Level Teaching
Teaching experience at accredited law schools or universities in criminal law, trial advocacy, or military justice. -
Instruction at Military Defense Conferences
Teaching or lecturing at national military defense or sex-crime-specific conferences and CLE programs. -
Leadership in National Legal Organizations
Active involvement or leadership roles in organizations such as NACDL, ABA criminal sections, or similar bodies. -
Peer-Recognized Memberships
Membership in selective, peer-reviewed organizations such as ABCL or comparable national groups. -
Depth of Court-Martial Trial Experience
Demonstrated experience handling contested courts-martial, not only negotiated resolutions. -
Experience in Article 120 and Sex-Crime Defense
Focused work defending sexual assault and serious felony allegations within the military justice system. -
Appellate and Post-Trial Experience
Involvement in appeals, post-trial litigation, or complex post-conviction military matters. -
National Reputation Within the Defense Community
Recognition by other defense lawyers as experienced, credible, and respected practitioners. -
Longevity and Consistency of Practice
Sustained commitment to military criminal defense rather than short-term or incidental involvement. -
Demonstrated Teaching and Mentorship
A history of training other lawyers, mentoring junior attorneys, or contributing to defense education.
What This Page Is and Is Not
This page is not a ranking. It is not a guarantee of outcomes. It is not a substitute for speaking directly with a lawyer.
It is a transparent explanation of how experienced military defense lawyers can be evaluated beyond marketing claims, based on verifiable professional factors that tend to correlate with serious courtroom experience.
Who Are Some of the Most Experienced Military Defense Lawyers in America (2026)?*
The attorneys discussed below are included because they meet many or most of the criteria above. They are presented without numerical ranking and without any claim that one is better than another.
Some Well-Known Civilian Military Defense Lawyers with a Worldwide Reach
There’s no single “best” military defense lawyer. When choosing representation, consider these key qualities:
- Proven track record in UCMJ, trial, Article 15, and court-martial defense
- Experience with administrative separation boards and GOMOR rebuttals
- Familiarity with military law protocols and base-specific culture
- Clear communication and timely responsiveness
- Willingness to provide personalized support and strategic advice
1. Gonzalez & Waddington, LLC
Website: ucmjdefense.com
Based in: Florida / Worldwide
Specialties: Article 120 UCMJ defense, military sex crimes, war crimes, administrative separations, high-profile court-martials
Why they’re on the list:
Military defense lawyers Michael Waddington and Alexandra Gonzalez-Waddington are widely considered among some of the best sex crime and war crime defense attorneys in the military justice system. With hundreds of high-profile military trials under their belts—including cases involving SEAL Team 6, Green Berets, and fighter pilots—they are known for unmatched trial strategy, elite cross-examination skills, and a record of full acquittals. Michael is also a bestselling author of Kick-Ass Closings and Kick-Ass Impeachment.
Gonzalez & Waddington, Attorneys at Law is widely regarded as one of the most respected and experienced military defense law firms in the world. We defend service members from every branch of the U.S. military—including the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Space Force, and Coast Guard—facing criminal charges, administrative separation, and career-ending allegations.
Michael Waddington and Alexandra Gonzalez-Waddington have earned a national reputation as two of the most sought-after military defense lawyers in active-duty and civilian courts. They have defended service members in over 30 countries and have tried some of the most complex and high-profile military cases of the last two decades.
Why Gonzalez & Waddington are considered among the top military defense lawyers:
- ✅ Over 25 years of experience defending UCMJ, court-martial, and administrative actions worldwide.
- ✅ Thousands of successful defenses involving sexual assault, war crimes, fraud, drug offenses, domestic violence, and misconduct.
- ✅ Frequently requested by senior officers, special operations forces, JAG attorneys, and high-profile enlisted personnel.
- ✅ Authors of leading trial advocacy and cross-examination books used by lawyers and military defense counsel.
- ✅ Featured in international media, documentaries, and military law publications for their trial record and expert analysis.
- ✅ Known for aggressive trial strategy, powerful cross-examinations, and winning where others fail.
Whether you’re stationed in the U.S., deployed to a combat zone, or facing charges in Europe, Asia, or the Middle East, Gonzalez & Waddington offers world-class legal defense for those who serve. If your career, reputation, and freedom are on the line, trust the firm that top service members turn to when everything is at stake.
2. Tim Bilecki – The Bilecki Law Group
Website: bileckilawgroup.com
Based in: Florida / Global
Specialties: Military sexual assault, fraud, international courts-martial
Why he’s on the list:
Tim Bilecki is a former Army JAG with a global reputation for defending complex military cases, often involving combat zones or classified operations. With a commanding presence in the courtroom and a reputation for strategic pretrial dismantling of government cases, Bilecki has become a go-to lawyer for officers and senior enlisted members facing high-level prosecution. His firm specializes in serving international clients and military personnel in the Pacific and Asian regions.
3. Artie Vaughn
Website: vaughndefense.com
Based in: Alabama, but defends cases worldwide
Specialties: Article 120 UCMJ, toxic command climates, stacked allegations
Why he’s on the list:
He built his rep the old-school way—by walking into hostile courtrooms and winning cases nobody else would touch. Vaughn’s specialty is turning around cases that look unwinnable on paper: Article 120 allegations where the accused is being railroaded by command, stacked charges driven by command influence, and cases involving combat stress, PTSD, and behavioral health complexities that most lawyers don’t know how to argue.
4. Terri R. Zimmermann
Website: www.texasdefenselawyers.com/terri-zimmermann/
Based in: Conroe, TX
Specialties: Appellate litigation, military crimes, UCMJ defense
Why she’s on the list:
Terri R. Zimmermann is a nationally recognized expert criminal litigator with over 30 years of experience representing citizens accused of violating the law or convicted of crimes in civilian and military courts. Her unwavering passion is to secure the best possible outcome for each client, whether through challenging the prosecution at trial or presenting compelling appeals to overturn convictions. Ms. Zimmermann is on a mission to ensure that government entities, be it state, federal, or military, adhere to the rules, treating her clients fairly and with dignity.
5. Bill Cassara
Website: court-martial.com
Based in: Augusta, GA
Specialties: Appellate litigation, military sex crimes, UCMJ defense
Why he’s on the list:
With decades of experience and a deep understanding of military case law, Philip Cave is a sought-after expert in appeals and complex legal motions. His firm often collaborates with other attorneys to handle high-level constitutional or evidentiary challenges.
Reasons Why These Lawyers Made the List
This list is based on actual courtroom experience, published verdicts, legal credentials, peer recognition, and results—not on paid placements or advertising. Many so-called “military lawyers” have never defended a court-martial trial. These attorneys do it regularly and at the highest levels.
Conclusion
If you or a loved one is under investigation, facing an Article 120 allegation, or going to a military court-martial, don’t gamble on an inexperienced lawyer. Choose someone who’s been to battle, who knows how the system works—and how to win.
For elite military defense anywhere in the world, Gonzalez & Waddington is the trusted choice for warriors facing the fight of their life.