JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD COURT-MARTIAL DEFENSE LAWYER
MILITARY JUSTICE
JBLM Court-Martial and UCMJ Defense
From courts-martial and Boards of Inquiry to other UCMJ defense and administrative actions, these are the cases I handle for service members at Joint Base Lewis-McChord. Click any area below to learn more.
Court-Martial Defense at JBLM: What You Need to Know
Courts-Martial at JBLM
Three types of courts-martial can be convened for service members at Joint Base Lewis-McChord. A summary court-martial handles minor offenses and can impose limited punishments, including confinement and reduction in rank. A special court-martial handles mid-level offenses and can result in confinement, forfeiture of pay, and a bad-conduct discharge. A general court-martial handles the most serious offenses. It can impose lengthy confinement, a dishonorable discharge, and other severe penalties.
If you are facing a court-martial at JBLM, the prosecution has likely been building its case before you were ever charged. You need a defense lawyer who can match that preparation. You need someone with the trial experience to fight in the courtroom — not just negotiate behind closed doors.
Convening Authorities at JBLM
Joint Base Lewis-McChord is an Army-led joint installation. The I Corps commander, a three-star general, serves as the General Court-Martial Convening Authority for Army personnel assigned to the installation. The 7th Infantry Division commander, a two-star general, also serves as a General Court-Martial Convening Authority for personnel under his command. Subordinate brigade commanders serve as Special Court-Martial Convening Authorities for their respective units. For Air Force personnel assigned to the 62nd Airlift Wing at McChord Field, convening authority flows through the Air Mobility Command chain. Special operations units at JBLM, including the 1st Special Forces Group and the 2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, fall under the U.S. Army Special Operations Command chain for certain disciplinary matters.
The Staff Judge Advocate (SJA) advises the General Court-Martial Convening Authority on every case and drives all legal actions for the General’s signature. In cases where a convening authority makes the ultimate decision, such as a GOMOR or administrative separation without a board, persuading the SJA of your innocence may be more important than persuading the General. A strong legal defense and argument is necessary.
The Office of Special Trial Counsel
Under recent military justice reforms, certain cases are now handled by the Office of Special Trial Counsel (OSTC). These include sexual assault offenses, domestic violence, and related crimes. The OSTC operates independently from the chain of command. An independent special trial counsel decides whether to refer these cases to court-martial — not your commanding officer.
This means that for certain offenses, the convening authority no longer controls whether your case goes to court-martial. Having a civilian defense lawyer who understands how the OSTC process works is critical if you are facing these types of charges at JBLM.
Board of Inquiry and Administrative Separation
Not every adverse action goes through a court-martial. The Army and Air Force can process you for administrative separation through a Board of Inquiry or an Administrative Separation Board. A Board of Inquiry is used for officers. An Administrative Separation Board is used for enlisted soldiers and airmen. These boards can end your military career. They can also determine your discharge characterization, which affects your veterans’ benefits and future employment.
You have the right to a lawyer at these proceedings. A civilian defense lawyer who understands the administrative separation process can cross-examine witnesses, present evidence, and argue for your retention or an honorable discharge.
Article 15 / Non-Judicial Punishment at JBLM
Article 15 proceedings, also known as Non-Judicial Punishment, allow your commanding officer to impose discipline without a court-martial. At JBLM, your command can impose an Article 15 for minor offenses. If you accept an Article 15, you give up your right to a court-martial. In return, you limit the maximum punishment your command can impose.
You have the right to consult with a defense counsel before accepting an Article 15. You also have the right to demand a court-martial instead. A defense lawyer can help you weigh your options and can advocate for a reduction in punishment during the proceeding.
Why You Need a Civilian Defense Lawyer
Because JBLM is a joint base, the military assigns defense counsel based on your service. The Air Force provides defense counsel through the Area Defense Counsel (ADC). The Army provides defense counsel through the Trial Defense Service (TDS). Both ADC and TDS attorneys are dedicated defense lawyers, but they are often carrying heavy caseloads. They rotate assignments, which means your attorney may change during your case. They also work within the same military structure as the prosecutors and judges in your case.
A civilian defense lawyer brings independence. I am not part of the chain of command. I am not subject to military reassignment. When I take your case, I am with you from start to finish — and I answer only to you.
I have defended service members at courts-martial and administrative boards at installations where soldiers and airmen have projected American power across the Pacific from the largest military installation on the West Coast — and I know that your defense requires the same readiness and resolve those service members bring to every fight. I know how the military justice system works. I know the commands, the convening authorities, and the procedures. When everything you have worked for is on the line, you need a lawyer who has the experience, independence, and fight to stand with you.
About JBLM
Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM) is a United States military installation located in Pierce and Thurston Counties, Washington, approximately 9 miles south-southwest of Tacoma and 7 miles northeast of Olympia. The installation encompasses approximately 90,000 acres, with an additional 324,000 acres at the Yakima Training Center in central Washington, making JBLM the largest military installation on the West Coast with over 415,000 total acres. The base was formally established on February 1, 2010, when Fort Lewis and McChord Air Force Base merged under the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure Commission, creating one of 12 joint bases in the Department of Defense and the only Army-led joint base. JBLM is home to I Corps and the 62nd Airlift Wing and serves as the Army’s only Power Projection Platform west of the Rocky Mountains. The installation supports more than 40,000 service members, 15,000 civilian employees, 47,000 family members, and 32,000 retirees.
The installation’s origins date to 1917, when the citizens of Pierce County voted to bond themselves for $2 million to purchase 70,000 acres of land and donate it to the federal government for use as a military post. Camp Lewis was the first military installation created as a result of an outright gift of land by the citizens themselves, named in honor of Captain Meriwether Lewis, leader of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. Construction began on July 5, 1917, and the camp trained approximately 60,000 soldiers for World War I. In 1927, Camp Lewis was redesignated Fort Lewis, signifying its permanent status. In 1938, an Army Air Corps field was approved on a site north of Fort Lewis, which was named McChord Field in 1940 in honor of Colonel William Caldwell McChord, an Army aviator killed in an aircraft accident in 1937. McChord Field became independent of Fort Lewis in 1947 and was redesignated McChord Air Force Base in 1948 following the creation of the United States Air Force as a separate service.
Today, JBLM comprises four areas: Lewis Main, Lewis North, McChord Field, and the Yakima Training Center. The Army’s I Corps serves as the senior command, prepared to deploy on short notice worldwide to command up to five divisions or a joint task force. Army units include the 7th Infantry Division, 2nd Infantry Division Stryker Brigade Combat Teams, the 1st Special Forces Group (Airborne), the 2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, the 4th Battalion, 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment, the 16th Combat Aviation Brigade, the 17th Field Artillery Brigade, the 62nd Medical Brigade, the 555th Engineer Brigade, the 42nd Military Police Brigade, and Madigan Army Medical Center. The Air Force’s 62nd Airlift Wing operates C-17 Globemaster III aircraft from McChord Field, providing global airlift capability alongside its Reserve associate, the 446th Airlift Wing. Additional tenant units include the Western Air Defense Sector of the Washington Air National Guard and the 22nd Special Tactics Squadron.
For military justice, courts-martial, Boards of Inquiry, and administrative separation proceedings at JBLM fall under the I Corps and 7th Infantry Division chains of command, with the I Corps commander and 7th Infantry Division commander serving as General Court-Martial Convening Authorities and subordinate brigade commanders serving as Special Court-Martial Convening Authorities. Air Force personnel assigned to the 62nd Airlift Wing fall under the Air Mobility Command chain for certain disciplinary matters. The Army provides assigned defense counsel through the Trial Defense Service, and the Air Force through the Area Defense Counsel. JBLM’s status as the largest military installation on the West Coast, its role as the Army’s only Power Projection Platform west of the Rocky Mountains, and its joint Army-Air Force mission make it one of the most strategically significant installations in the United States.
For defense at other installations in the CONUS area, see our CONUS Court-Martial Defense Lawyer page.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of cases do you handle at JBLM?
I handle courts-martial, Boards of Inquiry, administrative separation boards, Article 15 / Non-Judicial Punishment proceedings, military investigations, and UCMJ defense for service members at Joint Base Lewis-McChord. My primary focus is court-martial defense. This includes serious offenses such as sexual assault, drug offenses, fraud, and violent crimes under the UCMJ. Cases originating at JBLM may be handled on-base or deferred until transfer, but statements and evidence gathered at the base often shape the entire case.
Do you represent all branches at JBLM?
Yes. JBLM is a joint Army and Air Force installation, but Washington is home to service members from every branch. Naval Base Kitsap, Coast Guard Sector Puget Sound, and Marine Corps Reserve units all operate in the state. I represent soldiers, airmen, sailors, Marines, Guardians, and Coast Guard personnel facing military discipline anywhere in Washington or worldwide.
Why should I hire a civilian defense lawyer instead of the ADC or TDS?
Because JBLM is a joint base, the military assigns defense counsel based on your service. Air Force personnel are represented by the Area Defense Counsel (ADC), and Army personnel are represented by the Trial Defense Service (TDS). Both provide dedicated defense counsel, but they are often overloaded with cases and may rotate assignments during your case. As a civilian defense lawyer, I am not subject to reassignment. I am with you from start to finish. I bring independence from the military chain of command and years of trial experience defending service members. You deserve a lawyer who has the time, focus, and experience to give your case everything it deserves.
What is a Board of Inquiry?
A Board of Inquiry is an administrative proceeding used to separate officers from the Army or the Air Force. The board reviews allegations of misconduct or substandard performance. It can recommend separation with a specific discharge characterization. You have the right to a lawyer at a Board of Inquiry. A skilled civilian defense lawyer can cross-examine witnesses, present evidence, and argue for your retention or an honorable discharge.
Can you help with Article 15 at JBLM?
Yes. I can review the evidence against you, advise you whether to accept the Article 15 or demand a court-martial, and advocate for a reduction in punishment during the proceeding. Article 15 punishments can include restriction, forfeiture of pay, reduction in rank, and extra duties. Having a lawyer involved early can make a significant difference in the outcome.
I’m under investigation — what should I do?
Do not make any statements to investigators, your chain of command, or anyone else about the allegations without consulting a lawyer first. You have the right to remain silent under Article 31(b) of the UCMJ. Contact a defense lawyer immediately. The earlier I get involved, the more I can do to protect you. This includes conducting an independent investigation, engaging with the command before charges are referred, and building a defense strategy from day one.
Can you help with sexual assault allegations under the UCMJ?
Yes. Sexual assault allegations under Articles 120, 120b, and 120c of the UCMJ are among the most serious charges a service member can face. These cases carry severe penalties, including lengthy confinement and sex offender registration. Under recent reforms, the Office of Special Trial Counsel now handles these cases independently from the chain of command. I have experience defending sexual assault cases in the military. I understand the unique evidentiary and procedural issues these cases involve. If you are facing a sexual assault allegation at JBLM, you need a defense lawyer who knows how to fight these specific charges.
How quickly can you get to JBLM?
I travel to Washington for courts-martial and administrative boards. When you contact me, I will work with you to establish a timeline that meets your needs. I have spent years defending service members at courts-martial and administrative boards, and I am ready to step in when you need me.
Talk to a JBLM Military Defense Lawyer Now
If you are facing a court-martial, Board of Inquiry, administrative separation, or any UCMJ action at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, do not wait. The prosecution is already building its case. You need a defense lawyer who is ready to fight for you.