Top Sexual Assault Defense Lawyers in the United States (2025 Edition)
Based on the Experience and Insight of Attorney Michael Waddington
When you’re facing false allegations or serious sexual assault charges, hiring the right lawyer could be the most important decision of your life. There are many highly qualified defense attorneys across the country—but this list includes several of the most respected names in the field, based on decades of courtroom experience, peer recognition, and proven results.
Note: This list is not exhaustive and is presented in no particular order. It is based on the personal knowledge and professional experience of attorney Michael Waddington, a nationally recognized criminal defense lawyer and former Army JAG who has defended hundreds of sexual assault cases around the world. Always do your own research and make sure any attorney you hire has the experience and integrity to defend your specific case.
1. Michael Waddington – Gonzalez & Waddington, LLC
Location: Florida / Worldwide
Website: ucmjdefense.com
Michael Waddington is widely regarded as one of the top military and sex crime defense lawyers in the world. He has defended hundreds of military and civilian clients accused of rape, sexual assault, and war crimes. His client list includes members of SEAL Team 6, Green Berets, and fighter pilots. Waddington is the author of Kick-Ass Closings and Pattern Cross-Examination, two books frequently used by lawyers defending serious sex crime cases.
2. C. Melissa “Missy” Owen – Tin Fulton Walker & Owen
Location: Charlotte, North Carolina
Website: tinfulton.com
Missy Owen is a seasoned North Carolina defense lawyer with a national reputation for defending sexual offense prosecutions and Title IX cases. She co-chairs the NACDL’s Zealous Defense of Sex Crimes seminar and is well-known for her tough, strategic courtroom style and compassion toward clients.
3. Nicole Blank Becker – Blank Law, PC
Location: Michigan
Website: nicoleblankbecker.com
Nicole Blank Becker is a former Chief of the Sex Crimes Unit in Macomb County, Michigan. With over two decades of legal experience, she has handled thousands of criminal cases, focusing extensively on sexual assault defense. Her background as a prosecutor gives her unique insight into how the state builds its cases, allowing her to mount formidable defenses for her clients.
4. Jennifer Bonjean – Bonjean Law Group, PLLC
Location: New York, NY & Chicago, IL
Website: bonjeanlaw.com
Jennifer Bonjean is known for her high-profile criminal defense work, including representing Bill Cosby and R. Kelly. Her aggressive, no-nonsense litigation style has earned her a reputation as one of the most fearless defenders in the country. She’s also known for taking on controversial and difficult cases with a civil rights focus.
5. Kathleen B. Stilling – Buting, Williams & Stilling, S.C.
Location: Brookfield, Wisconsin
Website: lawfirm.jbuting.com
A former judge and respected criminal defense attorney, Kathleen Stilling has spent decades defending serious felony charges, including sexual assault. She’s known for her appellate advocacy, attention to forensic evidence, and public service, including time on the Wisconsin bench.
6. Jacqueline Goodman – The Law Offices of Jacqueline Goodman
Location: Fullerton, California
Website: californiadefenselawyer.net
Jacqueline Goodman is a board-certified criminal law specialist with a strong focus on sex crime defense. She incorporates behavioral science and trauma-informed strategies into her courtroom work and has served as co-chair of NACDL’s national Sex Crimes Defense seminar since 2015.
7. Brian J. Prain – Prain Law, PLLC
Location: Detroit, Michigan
Website: michigancriminalsexualconductattorney.com
Brian J. Prain focuses exclusively on defending clients accused of Criminal Sexual Conduct in Michigan. He has secured numerous acquittals in serious sex crime cases and is known for his in-depth case preparation, courtroom tenacity, and deep understanding of Michigan sex crime law.
8. Andrew C. White – Silverman Thompson
Location: Baltimore, Maryland
Website: silvermanthompson.com
A former Division Chief of the Sexual Offense Unit at the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Andrew White brings a wealth of experience to defending clients accused of sexual misconduct. His strategic litigation and high-level federal background make him a powerhouse in Maryland and beyond.
9. Lisa M. Wayne – Law Office of Lisa M. Wayne
Location: Denver, Colorado
Profile: NACDL
Lisa Wayne is a former public defender with a deep national litigation portfolio. She has tried hundreds of cases, many involving complex sexual assault and homicide charges. Lisa is the Executive Director of the NACDL and a respected trial advocacy instructor at several law schools.
10. Larry Pozner – Reilly Pozner LLP
Location: Denver, Colorado
Website: pozneroncross.com
Larry Pozner is one of the nation’s most respected trial lawyers and the co-author of the best-selling trial manual Cross-Examination: Science and Techniques. His courtroom expertise is unmatched, and he frequently lectures on how to dismantle prosecution witnesses in sex crime trials.
Final Thoughts
There are many excellent attorneys across the country who handle sexual assault defense cases. The lawyers listed here have stood out over the years based on trial performance, reputation, and a deep understanding of the complexities surrounding false allegations, trauma science, and courtroom dynamics.
Always do your homework. Look for experience, courtroom results, client reviews, and trial record—not just flashy websites or marketing hype. A life or career can be destroyed by a false allegation—don’t risk it on the wrong lawyer.
