7 Top-Rated Military Defense Attorneys of 2026: An In-Depth Review
“Top-rated military defense attorney” is a common search phrase, not an official Department of Defense designation. This guide discusses seven civilian military-defense practices and explains how service members can research counsel using verifiable experience, prior military legal service, trial practice, publications, teaching, case focus, and other professional qualifications. The seven practices are not ranked.
Important disclosure about the title: This article discusses seven civilian military-defense practices. The number seven is a count, not a ranking. The lawyers and firms below are not presented as #1 through #7.
“Top-rated military defense attorney,” “top military lawyer,” “best UCMJ lawyer,” and similar phrases are common consumer search terms. There is no official Department of Defense rating, universally accepted private rating system, or objective method that determines which civilian military-defense attorney is appropriate for every service member.
This guide uses publicly available information concerning potentially relevant and verifiable professional factors such as prior JAG service, years of military-law practice, court-martial practice, stated areas of focus, publications, teaching, administrative-defense experience, and worldwide representation.
Gonzalez & Waddington, LLC publishes this guide and is one of the seven practices discussed. It is described separately as the publisher. Inclusion or omission of any attorney is not an endorsement, criticism, certification, rating, or representation of superiority. No result is guaranteed.
Key Takeaways
- No official “Top 7” list of military defense attorneys exists. This article discusses seven practices without ranking them.
- Look past ratings and marketing labels. Ask about actual contested courts-martial, similar allegations, trial roles, military-law background, and who will personally handle the case.
- UCMJ experience is not identical to general criminal-defense experience. Military cases involve military investigators, military rules, command structures, military panels, Article 31 rights, Article 32 proceedings, and service-specific consequences.
- Early decisions can affect later litigation. Statements, consent searches, witness development, digital evidence, and preservation decisions can arise before charges are preferred.
- Civilian and military counsel may work together. Article 38, UCMJ, expressly permits an accused to retain civilian defense counsel.
What Does “Top-Rated Military Defense Attorney” Mean?
It depends on who is doing the rating. Some private lawyer directories, professional organizations, publications, and review platforms use their own rating systems. Those systems can measure different things and should not be treated as an official government determination that one lawyer is better suited to a particular UCMJ case.
Likewise, Google rankings, paid advertisements, client reviews, media appearances, and website traffic do not independently establish which lawyer is appropriate for a particular service member.
A more useful question is: What verifiable experience does this attorney have with the type of military case I actually face?
Seven Civilian Military Defense Practices Discussed in This Guide
The following seven practices are listed alphabetically. The order does not reflect quality, relative standing, endorsement, or suitability for a particular case.
| Lawyer / Firm | Publicly Reported Background | Reported Military-Law Practice |
|---|---|---|
| Bilecki Law Group | Timothy J. Bilecki; former Army JAG and former Army Senior Defense Counsel | Courts-martial, investigations, serious UCMJ allegations, worldwide representation |
| Court & Carpenter | Lawyers with military-defense and former JAG backgrounds | Courts-martial, Boards of Inquiry, separation proceedings, adverse actions, U.S. and overseas representation |
| Daniel Conway & Associates | Military-law practice including attorneys with prior military and JAG experience | Courts-martial, appeals, administrative boards, records correction and military administrative law |
| Gagne, Scherer & Associates | Greg Gagne and Keith Scherer; former Air Force JAG attorneys | Courts-martial, investigations, serious UCMJ offenses, administrative proceedings |
| Gonzalez & Waddington, LLC Publisher of this guide | Michael Waddington, former Army JAG; Alexandra González-Waddington, former public defender | Courts-martial, investigations, Article 120, administrative defense, worldwide representation |
| Joseph L. Jordan | Former Army JAG officer, military prosecutor and defense counsel | Courts-martial, investigations, Article 32 proceedings, administrative military matters |
| Law Office of Jocelyn C. Stewart | Former Army JAG with military prosecution and defense experience | Courts-martial, investigations, Article 120 matters, adverse administrative actions |
How to Evaluate a Civilian Military Defense Attorney
About the Publisher: Gonzalez & Waddington, LLC
Gonzalez & Waddington, LLC — Michael Waddington & Alexandra González-Waddington Publisher
Gonzalez & Waddington publishes UCMJDefense.com and represents U.S. service members in military investigations, courts-martial, administrative actions, and other serious military proceedings.
Michael Waddington previously served as an Army JAG prosecutor, Chief of Military Justice, Special Assistant United States Attorney, and Army defense counsel before entering civilian practice. He has practiced law for more than 25 years.
His professional work includes contested military and criminal trials, military-justice teaching, continuing legal education, and books concerning trial advocacy, cross-examination, closing argument, expert witnesses, digital forensics, DNA evidence, and related evidentiary subjects.
Alexandra González-Waddington began her career as a public defender in Georgia and has spent more than two decades handling criminal-defense and military matters. Her military work includes cases involving sexual-assault allegations, violent offenses, credibility disputes, investigations, administrative proceedings, and courts-martial. She represents clients in English and Spanish.
Experience Potentially Relevant to Serious UCMJ Cases
- Military prosecution and defense experience
- Contested court-martial and criminal trial practice
- Article 120 and credibility-intensive cases
- Cross-examination of fact and expert witnesses
- Digital, medical, forensic, DNA, and expert evidence
- Investigation-stage defense before formal charges
- Administrative separation boards and Boards of Inquiry
- Representation of service members stationed overseas
Additional Information About the Six Other Practices
The following descriptions summarize publicly available professional information. The firms are listed alphabetically and are not ranked.
Bilecki Law Group — Timothy J. Bilecki
Bilecki Law Group publicly identifies Timothy Bilecki as a former Army JAG officer who served in Trial Defense Service and as a Senior Defense Counsel.
The firm’s stated practice focuses on courts-martial, military investigations, serious UCMJ allegations, and representation of service members in the United States and overseas.
Court & Carpenter
Court & Carpenter publicly identifies a military-defense practice involving attorneys with prior military-defense and JAG experience.
The firm’s stated services include courts-martial, Boards of Inquiry, administrative separation boards, investigations, reprimands, and other adverse military actions. Its public materials emphasize representation of U.S. service members in the United States, Europe, and other overseas locations.
Daniel Conway & Associates
Daniel Conway & Associates publicly describes a military-law team whose attorneys include former military members and former JAG attorneys.
The firm’s reported practice includes courts-martial across the military services, military appeals, Article 15 matters, separation boards, discharge upgrades, records correction, security-clearance issues, and other military proceedings.
Gagne, Scherer & Associates — Greg Gagne & Keith Scherer
The firm’s current professional biographies identify Greg Gagne and Keith Scherer as former Air Force JAG officers who served in prosecution and defense positions.
Their reported civilian practice includes courts-martial, investigations, and administrative proceedings involving service members from multiple military branches in the United States and overseas.
Joseph L. Jordan, Attorney at Law
Joseph Jordan’s current professional materials identify him as a former Army JAG officer who served in both prosecution and defense roles.
His stated civilian practice includes courts-martial, military investigations, Article 32 proceedings, administrative cases, and representation of service members at military installations in the United States and overseas.
Law Office of Jocelyn C. Stewart
Public professional information identifies Jocelyn Stewart as a former Army JAG attorney whose military service included substantial court-martial work.
Her reported civilian practice includes courts-martial, investigations, sexual-misconduct allegations, administrative actions, and other military proceedings.
How Much Court-Martial Experience Should a Military Defense Attorney Have?
There is no universally accepted number of trials that automatically makes one attorney qualified—or better qualified—for every military case.
Instead of relying on an arbitrary benchmark such as “50 felony trials” or “100 jury trials,” ask more specific questions:
- How many contested courts-martial have you personally tried?
- How many were before members rather than a military judge alone?
- Were you lead counsel?
- What types of charges were involved?
- How recently have you litigated a contested military trial?
- Have you cross-examined witnesses or experts similar to those in my case?
- Have you litigated digital-forensics, statements, search, or expert-evidence issues?
Those questions provide more useful information than a single raw trial number.
Why the Investigation Stage Can Matter
A service member does not have to wait until charges are preferred before consulting civilian military defense counsel.
Investigative decisions can arise early:
- whether to participate in an interview;
- whether to consent to a search;
- preservation of messages, photos, video, and location data;
- identifying favorable witnesses;
- preserving electronic devices;
- responding to pretext communications;
- retaining or requesting experts; and
- developing an independent defense investigation.
Article 31(b), UCMJ, provides specific protections when a person subject to the UCMJ interrogates or requests a statement from an accused or person suspected of an offense.
The statute requires notice of the nature of the accusation, notice that the person does not have to make a statement concerning the suspected offense, and notice that a statement may be used as evidence at a court-martial.
Preserve Evidence—Do Not Alter It
If you believe you are under investigation, preserve potentially relevant messages, photographs, emails, social-media records, location data, videos, and devices. Do not delete, modify, manufacture, or selectively alter potential evidence. Defense counsel can advise how relevant evidence should be preserved and collected.
Can You Hire Civilian Counsel and Keep Your Military Defense Lawyer?
Yes. Article 38, UCMJ, expressly provides that an accused before a general or special court-martial may be represented by civilian counsel provided by the accused.
The statute also permits detailed or individually requested military defense counsel to serve as associate counsel with retained civilian counsel, subject to the applicable provisions of Article 38.
See the current text of Article 38, UCMJ, 10 U.S.C. § 838 .
Why the Type of UCMJ Case Matters When Choosing Counsel
“Military defense” covers a wide range of cases. Different allegations can require very different litigation experience.
Article 120 Sexual Assault Cases
These cases may involve consent, intoxication, memory, delayed reporting, digital communications, MRE 412, prior statements, medical evidence, SANE evidence, psychology, and witness credibility.
CSAM and Computer Cases
These cases can involve forensic extractions, browser history, cloud accounts, IP information, download artifacts, file-sharing technology, search terms, metadata, device attribution, and expert testimony.
Homicide and Violent-Crime Cases
These cases may require pathology, DNA, blood-pattern evidence, crime-scene analysis, self-defense evidence, psychology, digital timelines, or reconstruction experts.
Fraud and Financial Cases
Financial allegations can involve bank records, government payment systems, travel records, emails, authorization issues, intent evidence, and complex documentary timelines.
Drug Cases
Drug prosecutions can involve urinalysis litigation, laboratory evidence, chain of custody, innocent-ingestion defenses, possession, distribution evidence, and digital communications.
The lawyer appropriate for one type of case is not necessarily the lawyer best suited for another. Ask about experience with the actual issues involved in your case.
A Practical Process for Vetting Military Defense Lawyers
1. Speak With More Than One Lawyer
A service member facing serious allegations may reasonably consult more than one civilian attorney before making a hiring decision. Compare how each attorney identifies the major issues and what each lawyer proposes to investigate first.
2. Ask Specific Questions
Avoid questions that invite marketing answers such as, “Are you good at Article 120 cases?” Ask questions that can produce concrete information.
- How many contested cases involving this type of allegation have you personally tried?
- Were you lead counsel?
- Who will personally handle my case?
- What evidence do you want preserved immediately?
- What are the major evidentiary issues you see so far?
- What experts might be required?
- How will you work with my detailed military defense counsel?
3. Evaluate Credentials Carefully
Useful objective information may include prior military legal positions, years in practice, actual trial work, books, professional publications, law-school teaching, CLE instruction, appellate work, and experience in the relevant subject matter.
Third-party awards, ratings, testimonials, search-engine position, and media appearances can provide context, but should not replace investigation of actual case experience.
4. Understand the Fee Agreement
Ask whether the fee is flat, hourly, phased, or structured through a retainer.
Also determine whether travel, investigators, expert witnesses, forensic examinations, lodging, transcripts, and other litigation expenses are included or billed separately.
5. Determine Who Is Actually Trying the Case
A firm’s senior lawyer may conduct an initial consultation without necessarily serving as lead trial counsel. Ask directly who will prepare the case, litigate motions, examine witnesses, handle voir dire, and appear at trial.
Under Investigation or Facing a Court-Martial?
Gonzalez & Waddington represents service members in CID, NCIS, OSI and CGIS investigations, Article 32 proceedings, Article 120 cases, serious UCMJ prosecutions, courts-martial, administrative boards, and other military matters in the United States and overseas. If investigators want a statement or access to a device, consider obtaining individualized legal advice before deciding how to respond.
Request a Confidential Consultation1-800-921-8607
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are the 7 top-rated military defense attorneys of 2026?
There is no official or objectively authoritative “Top 7” ranking of civilian military defense attorneys. This guide discusses seven practices that prospective clients may research: Bilecki Law Group; Court & Carpenter; Daniel Conway & Associates; Gagne, Scherer & Associates; Gonzalez & Waddington; Joseph L. Jordan; and the Law Office of Jocelyn C. Stewart. They are not ranked, and inclusion does not mean one is superior to another.
Is Gonzalez & Waddington ranked #1 on this page?
No. Gonzalez & Waddington publishes this page and is discussed separately as the publisher. The seven practices are not assigned numerical positions or comparative rankings.
What does “top-rated military defense attorney” mean?
There is no single official rating system for civilian military defense lawyers. Private organizations and directories may have their own criteria. On this page, “top-rated” addresses a common consumer search phrase and is not a representation that the lawyers discussed have been objectively rated superior to other attorneys.
How do I compare military defense lawyers?
Consider verifiable information such as contested court-martial experience, prior military legal positions, experience with similar allegations, cross-examination background, digital and expert evidence experience, publications, teaching, availability, and who will personally handle the case.
Should I hire a former JAG?
Former JAG experience can provide relevant familiarity with military justice, command structure, investigators, military courts, and service procedures. It is one factor among many. Actual trial experience, similar-case experience, evidence skills, availability, and client fit are also relevant.
Can I hire civilian counsel and keep my JAG defense lawyer?
Yes. Article 38, UCMJ, provides for civilian representation at general and special courts-martial, and military defense counsel may remain as associate counsel under the applicable statutory provisions and rules.
Do I need civilian counsel before charges are filed?
A service member may consult civilian counsel during an investigation before charges are preferred. Early legal advice can be relevant to interviews, statements, searches, digital evidence, evidence preservation, witnesses, and other investigative decisions.
What should I do if CID, NCIS, OSI, or CGIS wants to question me?
Whether to answer investigative questions is an important case-specific legal decision. Article 31 provides rights concerning compulsory self-incrimination and requires specified warnings in covered military interrogations or requests for statements. Consider obtaining legal advice before deciding whether to make a statement.
Should I hire the lawyer with the most acquittals?
Past results can provide context but do not predict what will happen in a new case. Different cases involve different evidence, charges, judges, panels, witnesses, experts, procedural histories, and client objectives. Consider the attorney’s overall relevant experience and proposed approach rather than relying on a single outcome statistic.
How much does a civilian military defense lawyer cost?
Fees vary substantially based on the allegations, investigation stage, expected litigation, travel, location, complexity, experts, and the attorney or firm’s fee structure. Ask for a written explanation of the legal fee and identify which litigation expenses are separate.
Does hiring a highly experienced lawyer guarantee a better result?
No. No lawyer can guarantee dismissal, acquittal, a particular sentence, retention, or any other outcome. Experience and qualifications are factors a service member can evaluate, but every military case depends on its own facts and law.
Related Military Defense Resources
- How to Evaluate Civilian Military Defense Lawyers
- Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Civilian Military Defense Lawyer
- How Much Does a Civilian Military Defense Lawyer Cost?
- Civilian Military Defense Attorney vs. Detailed Military Counsel
- OSI Wants to Interview Me. Should I Talk?
- Article 120 UCMJ Sexual Assault Defense
- Contact Gonzalez & Waddington
Attorney advertising and editorial disclosure: This page is published by Gonzalez & Waddington, LLC. Gonzalez & Waddington is one of the seven practices discussed and is identified separately as the publisher. This page is educational and promotional in nature and may constitute attorney advertising.
The title “7 Top-Rated Military Defense Attorneys of 2026,” the phrase “top-rated military defense attorney,” and similar terminology address common consumer search queries. The number seven identifies the number of practices discussed; it does not create positions #1 through #7. Unless a specific independent rating organization and rating are expressly identified, “top-rated” is not intended to represent an official rating, certification, or claim of superiority.
Information concerning other lawyers and law firms is based on publicly available professional information and is provided for general informational purposes. No ranking, endorsement, recommendation, certification, or representation regarding the relative quality of another attorney is intended. The list is non-exhaustive.
No attorney-client relationship is created by viewing this page. No result is guaranteed. Past results, professional credentials, publications, third-party ratings, client reviews, teaching positions, awards, media coverage, military service, or prior cases do not guarantee a particular result in a future case.
Military statutes, rules, regulations, procedures, and charging practices change. Every case depends on its allegations, evidence, service branch, procedural posture, forum, witnesses, experts, and individual circumstances. Readers should consult current governing authorities and obtain individualized legal advice.
Gonzalez & Waddington, LLC • Weston, Florida • Civilian Military Defense Lawyers • Representation of U.S. Service Members Worldwide