Military Law lawyers in Virginia

Firm: Reine R. Law Practice, PLLC

Mail only: 19309 Winmeade dr. , Leesburg , Virginia 20176

Practice Areas: Military Law

Former Marine and service-connected veteran, now working exclusively as a veteran's benefits attorney, helping other veterans receive service-connection benefits.

212 Eureka Ave , Virginia Beach , Virginia 23452

Practice Areas: DUI & DWI, Speeding Ticket, Personal Injury, Divorce, Military Law

Firm: The Griffin Law Firm

999 Waterside Dr #2525 , Norfolk , Virginia 23510

Practice Areas: Military Law

CDR Marshall Griffin, USCG (ret.) graduated from The University of Tennessee in 2001 with a B.A. in Sociology with a concentration in Criminal Justice. He earned his law degree from Regent University and was admitted to the Virginia Bar in 2014.. As a Coast Guard JAG, he prosecuted numerous felony criminal cases and helped train unit commanders to respond to sexual assault allegations. As Staff Judge Advocate for more than 40 Court-Martial Convening Authorities, CDR Griffin provided advice on hundreds of misconduct cases involving everything from minor misconduct to homicide. CDR Griffin developed a passion for criminal defense while serving a detail at the U.S. Navy Defense Service Office, Southeast, where he gained extensive experience defending members accused of fraud, rape, sexual assault, and a wide variety of drug abuses.. CDR Griffin is certified to practice before Courts of the U.S. Military, and admitted to practice before Courts of the Commonwealth of Virginia, Federal District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, and The Supreme Court of the United States.  He is an Adjunct Professor of Law at Regent University School of Law and a featured legal expert on the podcast, "Mind, Body, Money.". CDR Griffin's operational tours include Deck Watch Officer onboard USCGC MADRONA (WLB 302) and USCGC OAK (WLB 211). He served as Executive Officer onboard USCGC NEAH BAY (WTGB 105) and Commanding Officer of USCGC PENOBSCOT BAY(WTGB 107). CDR Griffin earned his permanent Cutterman designation in 2009 and his 200-ton Master's license in the U.S. Merchant Marine in 2007.

Firm: Law Office of Shawn M. Cline, PC

38 Wine Street , Hampton , Virginia 23669

Practice Areas: Criminal Defense, DUI & DWI, Military Law, Sexual Harassment, Domestic Violence, White Collar Crime, Violent Crime

Get in touch with a criminal defense attorney now. Our Virginia Beach and Hampton offices are available at your convenience. Facing charges for a DUI? Arrested for assault, drug charges, theft, or any other crime? Need an attorney who can boldly represent you for expungement? Look no further than the Law Office of Shawn M. Cline, PC. As a former JAG and graduate from the United States Air Force Academy, he understands legal representation like very few do. Don't assume saying guilty is the only way out. Let our legal team evaluate your case for free. Call us at right away.

Firm: The Law Office of Sean A. Marvin, PLLC

107 S. West Street , Alexandria , Virginia 22314

Practice Areas: Military Law, Criminal Defense, Family

Former Army JAG with significant experience in courts-martials, administrative separation boards, officer elimination boards, Article 15s, GOMORs, FLIPLs, OER & NCOER appeals, QMP appeals, and Article 138 complaints.

Firm: Drewniak Nicks Legal Defense, PLLC.

1223 N Lee Hwy , Lexington , Virginia 24450

Practice Areas: DUI & DWI, Criminal Defense, Federal Crime, Military Law

Sandra Drewniak Nicks — Elite Litigation Attorney | Decorated Military Veteran | “The Law Cougar”. Sandra Drewniak Nicks is a powerhouse in the legal arena—an elite Litigation Attorney with a distinguished track record across state, military, and federal courts. With decades of experience and a reputation for winning complex, high-stakes criminal and civil cases—including murder, aggravated assault, white-collar crimes, and embezzlement—Sandra is one of the most sought-after legal minds in the field. Her courtroom style is defined by surgical precision, unshakable poise, and a relentless drive for justice, earning her the nickname “The Law Cougar” among colleagues and clients alike.. Sandra’s pursuit of justice began at just five years old, after a life-altering robbery at her family home ignited a lifelong commitment to the law. She graduated Magna Cum Laude in Political Science from the University of Louisville, and went on to earn her Juris Doctor from Regent University School of Law, where she founded the ATLA chapter and dominated trial advocacy competitions.. A retired Lieutenant Colonel, Sandra served 22 years in the U.S. Air Force, Air National Guard, and Reserves, where she became a formidable advocate for wounded warriors, specializing in disability and medical discharge cases. Her military career instilled in her a commanding presence, deep discipline, and a service-first ethos that continues to define her civilian legal practice.. Beyond the courtroom, Sandra is a fierce equestrian competitor, participating in western pleasure and ranch riding events. She is known not only for her litigation skill, but for her compassion, integrity, and unwavering loyalty to her clients and community. Sandra Drewniak Nicks isn’t just a defense attorney—she’s a force of nature in the pursuit of justice.

8253 Backlick Rd., Ste. M , Lorton , Virginia 22079

Practice Areas: Military Law

Now the co-founder of a veteran-run law firm designed for every legal issue for Veterans, DoD members, and their families, Patrick J. Hughes (“Pat”) served as an active duty Judge Advocate (JAG) for the United States Air Force (USAF) for over six years, separating from active duty and joining the Reserve in September 2017.. Since forming Patriots Law Group (PLG), he has practiced in Courts within Maryland, Virginia, the District of Columbia (DC), and New York on civil and/or criminal matters, as well as in Federal Courts, and before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB) on employment matters. He represents people located worldwide in administrative matters, such as for security clearance issues and the military services' Boards for Correction. The majority of his practice areas since 2020 have been a focus on military administrative matters with the military Boards for Correction, security clearance issues and litigation with the Defense Office of Hearings and Appeals (DOHA), employment law matters involving the MSPB and EEOC, and federal civil litigation against the military services for the denial of benefits/entitlements to service members. He has also represented numerous military members through their disciplinary actions, including responses in defense to adverse administrative actions and nonjudicial punishment (Article 15, UCMJ), and in discharge/separation board hearings.. He is admitted to practice in Maryland, Virginia, DC, New York, the Air Force Court of Criminal Appeals, the Army Court of Criminal Appeals, the Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces, the Court of Federal Claims, the Federal District Court of DC, the Federal District Court of Maryland, the Eastern and Western Federal District Courts of Virginia, and the Supreme Court of the United States.. He has an established track record of success for his clients and five star Google reviews for how he treats them through the duration of their cases.. During his time in service, after graduating from Commissioned Officer Training as a distinguished graduate, he followed a litigation track, beginning with prosecuting those accused of criminal violations under the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) at Yokota Air Base, Japan. While at Yokota, in just his second year with the USAF, he was ranked by his Staff Judge Advocate as the top litigator and #1 of 8 Captains (O-3s) in the office.. He was then chosen in a “best qualified” selection process to become the Area Defense Counsel (ADC) at Pope Army Airfield, Fort Bragg, North Carolina. While there, he traveled the eastern seaboard representing servicemembers in courts-martial, a Senior Officer Unfavorable Information File (SOUIF) and O-7 promotion board, nonjudicial punishment/administrative paperwork (i.e., letters of counseling, admonishment, and reprimand), a flying evaluation board, demotion actions, denials of promotion/reenlistment, negative/referral performance reports, Article 138 complaints, applications to the Board for Corrections of Military Records (BCMR), and involuntary administrative discharge actions. His experience included representation in matters involving drug use, fraud, theft, negligent homicide, sexual assaults and rape. Further, he represented over 400 servicemembers of virtually all ranks and career fields, from multiple O-6s in command, to pilots/aircrew, maintainers, medics, and members of Joint Special Operations Command.His courtroom successes led to him being ranked the #1 of 84 ADCs worldwide by the O-6 head of the Air Force Legal Operations Agency's (AFLOA) Trial Defense Division.. His final active duty assignment was as a litigation attorney in the Military Personnel section of AFLOA's General Litigation division at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland. While there, he transitioned from criminal to civil practice, defending the DoD and USAF in lawsuits, including multiple class actions with millions of dollars at stake, brought in Federal courts across the United States. His cases included defending decisions rendered by the BCMR that were challenged in Federal Court, back pay claims for alleged improper promotion/enlistment denials, denials of disability retirements, and denials of other financial benefits. He also supported the Labor Law Field Support Center in defending actions raised by DoD civilians in employment discrimination cases brought before the EEOC, as well as challenges to adverse employment actions taken up before the MSPB. There, he was ranked by his O-6 Division Chief as the #1 of 7 Captains, and his supervisor ranked him the #1 Captain among all O-3s she had supervised in over 22 years.. In anticipation of meeting his promotion board, he was ranked among all those eligible for promotion from within AFLOA as the #1 of 53 by the AFLOA Commander. He ultimately promoted to Major in 2017, and then served almost four years as an Appellate Defense Counsel while a Reservist.  He continues to serve and recently promoted to Lieutenant Colonel in 2024.. Pat and his close friend and former active duty Air Force colleague, Mike Lyons, look forward to continuing to build PLG. With what started as him, Mike, and one other staff member, PLG's successes have now grown to multiple offices with additional seasoned attorneys and staff teamed with Mike and Pat in their effort to assist the military community through all their legal needs.

Firm: Law Offices of Michael Kevin Murphy, PLLC

10560 Main St , Fairfax , Virginia 22030

Practice Areas: Child Custody & Visitation, Divorce, Family , Military , Prenuptial Agreement, Retirement Benefits, Military Law, Military Law, Military Law, Military Law

Michael Kevin Murphy is a former U.S. Army officer who served with distinction in the Vietnam War having been awarded the Combat Infantryman's Badge, Parachutist Wings, Vietnam Ranger Badge, Bronze Star Medal, eight Air Medals; his military units received the Valorous Unit Award , and Vietnam Gallantry Cross. And for over twenty-six years has served the divorce and family law needs of our nation's military and other government professionals and their spouses with his unique background and experience. Although his main office is in Fairfax VA, Mr. Murphy often associates with attorneys throughout the United States and is available to consult with other attorneys lawyers who need his experience in dealing with the family law needs of military professionals and civilians.

Firm: Resilience Law Group, PLLC

1700 Pleasure House Rd. , Virginia Beach , Virginia 23455

Practice Areas: Family, Adoption, Child Custody, Divorce, Child Support, Prenuptials, Uncontested Divorce, LGBT+, Alimony, Military Law, Mediation, Power Of Attorney, Wills

Jessica graduated summa cum laude from Otterbein University (Columbus, OH) with a major in Political Science/Government & triple minor in Psychology, Speech Communication, & Legal Studies. She graduated second in her law school class with highest honors from the HBU, North Carolina Central University School of Law (Durham, NC), earning a Juris Doctor & Certificate in Dispute Resolution.. Her diverse legal experience includes legislative and policy evaluation, judicial internships, litigation, and mediation/settlement negotiation/alternative dispute resolution.. In 2014, Jessica joined The Cooper Law Firm, P.C. (Virginia Beach, VA) to form its successful family law division. In May 2019, was named Partner & later Senior Vice President. In March 2023, her partner was appointed to the bench & Jessica took the opportunity to launch her own firm, Resilience Law Group, PLLC.. Jessica has developed expertise in military family matters & is a strong supporter of service members & their families. She also is knowledgeable of LGBTQ+ family matters & was a first in Hampton Roads to file & obtain a divorce for a same sex couple (2015) & establish parentage of a child conceived via assisted conception during a same-sex marriage.. She's earned numerous recognitions for her services, including Virginia Business “Legal Elite"; Super Lawyers “Rising Star”; Walter E. Hoffman Community Service Award from Norfolk Portsmouth Bar Association; Inside Business “Top Forty under 40"; Coastal Virginia Magazine “Top Lawyer” of Adoption, Marital, and Family Law; and Virginia Lawyers Weekly “Influential Women of Law.”. Jessica has a strong sense of civic duty and is active in her community. Some past & current involvements include: U.S. Navy Ombudsman; Virginia Beach Bar Association “Concerned Lawyers Advocating Spousal Safety” (C.L.A.S.S.) participant; ABA Military Pro Bono, volunteer attorney; City of Chesapeake Humans Services; Chesapeake Youth Committee (CYC), appointed member; Volunteer Panelist Judge & mentor of interns of the Legal Studies Academy at First Colonial High School; NPBA Annual Mock Trial Competition, Coach; Virginia State Bar Free Legal Answer, Participant Attorney; Law Library Board for the City of Chesapeake, appointed member; Career Day Presenter for local schools.. Jessica enjoys helping her clients navigate complicated legal matters and presenting solutions to their legal problems. She aims to provide timely, quality representation with consideration of her client's bottom line. She focuses on candor and compassion throughout the legal process. Jessica can empathize well with her clients as many of the services she provides she has herself experienced in her own personal life.

Firm: Parlatore Law Group

1655 Fort Myer Drive , Arlington , Virginia 22209

Practice Areas: Military Law

"I believe that our military members deserve only the very best, but sadly, too many members don't receive adequate representation in the courtroom. I've made it my passion to defend the men and women who serve our Country.". *I am physically located at McChord AFB near Tacoma, WA, but I travel anywhere CONUS for administrative separation boards, BOIs, or courts-martial.. *email me directly to schedule a free consultation:. Do you have questions about your case?  Go to my YouTube channel for answers to my clients' most commonly-asked questions.. (cut-and-paste into your browser):. Catherine Deist focuses her practice on military members who are facing court-martial, court-martial appeal, nonjudicial punishment/letters of reprimand, administrative separation/board of inquiry, or investigation. Additionally, she represents former military members who are seeking a discharge upgrade or a correction of military records. As a military spouse and a former Air Force JAG, Ms. Deist understands firsthand the complex issues that face military members and their families.. Ms. Deist believes in a 360-degree approach when advising and representing her clients. Because of her vast legal experience spanning several areas of law, Ms. Deist aims to achieve the highest level of client satisfaction by ensuring that she devotes the appropriate amount of time educating her clients on every aspect of a matter.. Ms. Deist joined Parlatore Law Group after almost a decade of practicing law both in the United States Air Force and in private practice. As an Air Force JAG, she gained extensive litigation experience prosecuting a wide range of criminal cases, to include serving as Chief of Military Justice while at Travis AFB, California. Notably, she was selected to be the principle investigator and sole legal advisor of a $40 million wrongful death action against the Air Force regarding a civilian aircraft crash on a military installation. While deployed to Bagram, Afghanistan in 2012, Ms. Deist was primarily responsible for reviewing and restructuring hundreds of contracts with various private companies to provide goods and services to forward deployed forces and assist in rebuilding Afghanistan. After being honorably discharged from the Air Force, Ms. Deist entered private practice in Virginia Beach, Virginia while her husband was stationed at Langley AFB, where she gained experience in civil litigation and family law. Specifically, Ms. Deist handled countless divorces and child custody and visitation cases for military families.. Education: • B.A. English Rhetoric, Texas A&M University (2006) • J.D. (Cum Laude), St. Mary’s University School of Law (2009). Licenses: • Virginia State Bar • Texas State Bar • Air Force Court of Criminal Appeals • Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces

4400 Chesapeake Ave , Hampton , Virginia 23669

Practice Areas: Military Law

Firm: Rakness & Wright, PLC

1540 Insurance Lane , Charlottesville , Virginia 22911

Practice Areas: Criminal Defense, Divorce, Family, Landlord & Tenant, Military Law

Hannon Wright is a 2003 graduate of the University of Virginia School of Law.  Prior to joining Ryan in the practice of law, Hannon was mobilized as a reservist on active duty as a staff judge advocate in the U.S. Marine Corps. Before returning to active duty, Hannon spent two and a half years in Virginia Beach as an associate attorney in private practice. This experience combined with his time as a military prosecutor and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney gave him substantial courtroom experience.. His practice areas include criminal defense, land use law, and a wide range of civil litigation to include personal injury.. A former college lacrosse coach and Marine Corps prosecutor, Hannon brings boldness and work ethic as well as a strong capacity for teamwork to the practice of law.. Hannon is a 1999 graduate of the College of Arts and Sciences at UVA .

Firm: The English Law Firm, PLLC

601 King Street , Alexandria , Virginia 22314

Practice Areas: Federal Crime, Military Law, Criminal Defense

I am a former Senior Trial Attorney  (GS 15) at the Narcotics Section, Criminal Division, US Department of Justice, and retired Army JAG officer (Lieutenant Colonel).  In addition to graduating from Law School at the University of Virginia with a Juris Doctor degree, I have an LL.M. in criminal law from George Washington University.  I have over 47 years of experience litigating criminal cases as both a prosecutor and a defense counsel.  I once won three consecutive murder cases in the Alexandria federal court. I have been in private practice defending individuals since 1986. I lived in Japan and Hawaii for 3 years each, and have visited over 40 foreign countries, so I can easily relate to a wide variety of people.. For detailed information about my experience, please visit my website.

Firm: Dunlap Bennett & Ludwig, PLLC

211 Church Street , Leesburg , Virginia 20175

Practice Areas: Litigation, Military Law, White Collar Crime, Government Contracts, Wrongful Termination, Employment

I joined Dunlap Bennett & Ludwig’s litigation practice group in 2009. Immediately before joining DBL, I was in private litigation practice in Washington, DC. I have litigated a variety of complex matters in the state and federal courts of Virginia, Washington, DC, and West Virginia, including commercial disputes, employment disputes, trade secrets cases, construction cases, medical malpractice cases, and professional architectural and engineering malpractice cases.. From 2001 – 2005, I served in the United States Army Judge Advocate General’s Corps. I was recognized as Honor Graduate of the 155th Officer Basic Course of United States Army Judge Advocate General’s School located at the University of Virginia. Subsequently, I served as a military prosecutor at Fort Belvoir, Virginia, and also as a Special Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, Alexandria Division. After concluding my service as a military prosecutor, I served as a military defense attorney at Fort Benning, Georgia. While a member of the United States Army Judge Advocate General’s Corps, I was lead trial counsel in numerous courts-martial tried before military judges and juries at various military installations including Fort Belvoir, Virginia, Fort Benning, Georgia, Fort Rucker, Alabama, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, and Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.. I earned a Bachelor of Arts degree, magna cum laude, from West Virginia University in 1996. I was also initiated into the University’s Phi Beta Kappa chapter. I earned my Juris Doctor degree from Washington and Lee University School of Law in 1999. During law school, I was selected to represent Washington and Lee University as a member of its Jessup International Moot Court Team.. I am admitted to the State and Federal Courts of Virginia, the District of Columbia, and West Virginia. I am also admitted to the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit.

Firm: SRIS Law Group, PC

4008 Williamsburg Court , FairfaX , Virginia 22032

Practice Areas: Military Law

Dennis P. Chapman, Attorney at Law – PLLC is a sole practitioner law firm based in the Springfield – Alexandria area serving clients in Northern Virginia, and serving Military clients worldwide.  My goal as a lawyer is to help you resolve your legal problems as quickly and effectively as circumstances permit.  I recognize that cost is a major obstacle to obtaining justice through the legal system. It is my intent to reduce that barrier as far as possible by keeping my overhead and expenses low.  No attorney can guarantee a particular outcome on any given matter. However, I will work with you to realistically assess the merits of your case and prospects for success. Fees:  My goal is to provide you with quality legal representation at a fair and reasonable price, either at an hourly rate plus expenses or on a flat-fee basis, depending upon the individual circumstances.. Feel free to contact me for more information at or by e-mail at. Vist my website at

Firm: Ashe Law

One Columbus Center, 6th Floor , Virginia Beach , Virginia 23462

Practice Areas: Social Security & Disability, Military Law, Banking, Social Security, Social Security

Compassion and understanding are at the core of how attorney David Ashe approaches the challenges that face his clients’ Social Security and veteran disability claims. Born and raised in Virginia Beach, Virginia, he has lived a life dedicated to public service. During his long career as a judge advocate in the US Marine Corps, he served with infantry in Iraq, with NATO throughout Europe and with the highest planning levels of the Marine Corps. As a reserve officer, he served with the DoD’s disability evaluation system in which he guided wounded warriors through the medical separation process. As a result, his experience is with the earliest stages of a disability claim and the innermost workings of the VA. David has represented more than 1,500 clients at every level of a Social Security disability from the earliest moments of planning and filing to the highest levels of appeal. Prior to his focus on disability law, he spent many years representing debt collectors and banks and he continues to provide guidance to his clients regarding financial issues.

Firm: Thomas P.F. Kiely, PLLC, THE VETERANS' ATTORNEY

2045 15th St N Ste 1 , Arlington , Virginia 22201

Practice Areas: Military Law

We represent veterans nationally for their VA Disabilty Claims and Appeals.  I am a veteran myself, having served in the US Marine Corps for 11 years as an Officer and Aviator.  I also served in the Army Guard as an Officer and Aviator for 7 years.  I finally retired from the Army JAG Corps as an Officer and Attorney.. Having practiced law for the last 27 years, my staff and I know the VA Law and the Military, intimately.. I understand what you have been through and I look forward to working for you to maximize your VA Disability Benefits.. As a fellow Vet, I look forward to speaking with you.. Semper Fi,. Tom Kiely. The Veterans' Attorney

Firm: Jeremiah A. Denton III, P.C.

3300 South Building Suite 208 , Virginia Beach , Virginia 23452

Practice Areas: Personal Injury, Automobile Accidents, Trucking Accidents, Motorcycle Accidents, Brain Injury, Head and Spinal Injury, Slip and Fall, Wrongful Death, Medical Malpractice, Workers Compensation, Military Divorce, Criminal Law, Fraud, Civil Litigation, Civil Trials, Federal Tort Claims and Liability, Military Advocacy, Military Law, Adult Guardianship, Guardian Ad Litem, Incompetency Proceedings, Expungements, International Law, International Government Relations