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I travel the world representing U.S. military personnel and their families in court-martial trials, adverse administrative actions, and security clearance appeals. I am ready, able, and willing to travel to anywhere there is a U.S. military facility for representation. I come prepared with my office-in-a-briefcase. For example, I was the first civilian lawyer to travel to Iraq in October 2003, for trials, and I have been back to Iraq and to Afghanistan seven times since.

I am President of the National Institute of Military Justice, a non-profit organization dedicated to education about and advocacy for a fair military justice system.

I frequently consult with the media in T.V., radio, and print.

Military Law

Appeals & Appellate

Civil Appeals, Federal Appeals

Criminal Law

Fraud, Internet Crimes, Sex Crimes

• Court-Martial Trials
• Discharge Proceedings
• Security Clearances

• Google Meet
• Zoom
• WhatsApp

• Free Consultation
• Credit Cards Accepted

District of Columbia

Since 2000

Ohio

Since 1979

Virginia

Since 2000

Federal Circuit

Since 2000

U.S. Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces

Since 1982

U.S. Court of Federal Claims

Since 2001

U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Virginia

Since 2000

U.S. Supreme Court

Since 1992

Director

National Institute of Military Justice

2000 - Current

Owner - Sole Practitioner

Court-Martial.Com

2000 - Current

Partner

Cave & Freeburg, LLP

2000 - Current

Representing military personnel at any U.S. base around the world.

Judge Advocate

U.S. Navy

1980 - 2000

Constable/Cadet

Metropolitan Police, London, England

1965 - 1972

The George Washington University Law School

LL.M. (1988) | Criminal Law

Joint Forces Staff College - National Defense University

Diploma (1982)

Case Western Reserve University School of Law

J.D. (1979) | Law

Wright State University

B.A. (1976) | Political Science

Honors: summa cum laude

10.0 Superb Rating

Avvo

2023

Client Reviewed (4.9/5.0)

Martindale-Hubbell

2023

Top Contributor Award

Avvo

2021

Client's Choice Award

Avvo

2021

Meritorious Service Medal

U.S. Navy

1997

1994

Virginia State Bar

Member

Current

Activities: Military Law Committee

International Society for Military Law and Law of War

Member

Current

American Bar Association

Member

Current

Activities: Co-Chair, Military Justice Committee, Criminal Justice Section

Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity, International

Life Member

Current

American Legion

Member

2006 - Current

Military Retiree Court-Martial Jurisdiction: Trials and Tribulations

Journal of National Security Law & Policy, Georgetown Law School (co-published with the Syracuse University Institute of Security Policy & Law).

2022

The Division of Authority Between the Special Trial Counsel and Commanders Under the Uniform Code of Military Justice: Planning Now for the Next Phase of Reform

Lawfare

2022

Can Service Members Fight Taking a Mandatory COVID Vaccine

Military.com

2021

Congress, not the courts, say who has authority to court-martial service members

The Hill

2021

Equal Supreme Court Access for Military Personnel: An Overdue Reform

The Yale Law Journal Forum, vol. 131

2021

Prosecution of military retirees for pre- and post-retirement offenses, Virginia State Bar, Military Law Committee

2022

Military Law for the Not Dumb, Phi Alpha Delta, International (law fraternity)

2021

Ethics of Go-Funding and Similar Financing of Court-Martial Defense Counsel, Town Hall, GMJR to international military lawyers, judges, and advocates

2021

Recommended Changes to the Presidential Executive Order Establishing the Manual for Courts-Martial, DoD Joint Service Committee on Military Justice

2021

Court-Martial of Retired Military Personnel, Texas Bar Association, Military Law Committee

2021

Q. Can I apply for benefits and support to move out of the marital home with the kids before I file for divorce?

February 23, 2022

A: If he is military, he is required by military law to "support his dependents."

Should you move out and you do not have a signed separation agreement, the military mandates that he must pay you a portion of his pay and allowances as support for you and the children pending the divorce. Each service has a different regulation it follows on how much money is to be provided. If he fails to do that he could end up being criminally prosecuted at court-martial. It's in everyone's best interest to work this out.

You are entitled to receive free legal assistance from a Military Legal Assistance Office located on a military base near you. I recommend you go there and talk to them. They are prepared to answer many of your questions.

A military divorce is complicated especially where there is a long term marriage and the military spouse is close to retirement. ... Read More

Q. Need jag advice. I went awol from the army back in ‘09 and I wish to go back to clear my name. What should I do?

February 23, 2022

A: There are civilian lawyers who can help with this.

Experience shows that a person receives better treatment if they surrender rather than get arrested. 30 days after you left you were declared a deserter and a federal arrest warrant was issued. Mny of my AWOL clients were arrested when they got a traffic ticket.

You can go to any military base or recruiting office and tell them you are there to surrender. The MPs will take it from there.

Depending on how you present your case you may be able to avoid a court-martial prosecution and receive an administrative discharge.

Q. I want to back out of the National Guard what are my options?

February 23, 2022

A: It may be possible to void your contract. There is a procedure to do that.

I usually recommend you visit this website for more precise advice on how best to do that.

https://girightshotline.org/

Reid v. Covert

U.S. Supreme Court

Carmell v. Texas

U.S. Supreme Court