I went under investigation. It happened out of no where when my career was going good. I was completely devastated. I felt helpless I was given no information and I was left with more questions than answers. I didn’t know where to turn the military lawyers that are supposedly provided to you didn’t g...et back to me at all. So Stephen was one of the top choices for where I was looking. His prices were reasonable and fair compared to a lot of other military lawyers and basically if you’re near or far it doesn’t matter. I think of the biggest questions for me was would this make my case more difficult if he’s hours or days away. But it didn’t he literally made sure CID, command or whoever if they wanted to talk to me they’d have to go through him. And he made it known and handled everything and basically made everything flow smoothly. I hope this gives you all some hope when you’re looking for a lawyer that specializes in military law. Because lawyers on the civilian side that specialize are far and few between. And good ones are been harder to come by. So basically what I’m saying is Stephen is the best out there plain and simple trust the process.

Military law is a confusing and frustrating process. There will be periods of no movement when you want resolution and then move rapidly at inopportune times, none of which will be on your schedule. It can understandably lead to anger, frustration, and many questions. Your command, sadly, is not your... friend. You are doing them no favors by volunteering statements or evidence. Anything you think may look favorably on you for cooperation will be unlikely to yield tangible leniency, and will ultimately be used against you. Do not participate in questioning or offer any statements. Pick up the phone and call Stephen. Have him involved as early as possible. I was always under the assumption that if you were under investigation, you had access to military defense counsel to advise you. Wrong. There is no free legal advice available, and you will not be detailed an attorney until charges are preferred or until you have received notice of NJP, whatever the case it, it is usually very late in the game to receive counsel. After speaking with numerous lawyers, Stephen set himself apart at the consultation. His approach was always focused around what my desired outcome was. Stephen was able to provide sound advice based off of his extensive experience. Facing a case that followed me through different commands, he was able to achieve my desired outcome while navigating the complex and politically charged hallways of the Pentagon. He was aggressive when necessary, but never came off as arrogant or disrespectful, enabling him to engage with people and agencies that initially refused to speak with a lawyer. Most importantly, Stephen was able to keep me calm and positive as I watched a stellar 14 year reputation be drug through the mud. Not only did Stephen represent me in Virginia, but he also represented me when I was compelled to testify in a connected case in California. I cannot recommend Stephen anymore. If you think you need a lawyer, you likely should already have one. Call Stephen.

I, like many of you, have made mistakes along the way. And if you’ve served, you know—sometimes the weight we carry doesn’t allow us to be the perfect service member. Mental health, stress, and the pressure to cope in silence can lead us down hard paths. If you’re in that space right now, feeling los...t, overwhelmed, or in need of someone to throw you a lifeline—I cannot recommend Mr. Carpenter enough. After struggling through months of uncertainty during my second Article 15 in a year and a half span, I found myself in a place no one wants to be: feeling unheard, unsupported, and utterly alone. My assigned military lawyer—though trying—was juggling far too much, and I felt like just another case file on an overcrowded desk. I had to dive into the administrative separation instructions myself, trying to become my own paralegal just to survive the process. Eventually, my wife and I decided something had to change. We began researching military lawyers throughout the European AOR, and after combing through every review we could find, one name kept standing out: Mr. Carpenter. It was nearly impossible to find anything but praise for his work and his results. So I picked up the phone. From the very first conversation, he made me feel something I hadn’t in months—hope. He didn’t just take my case—he took the weight off my shoulders. For the first time in ages, I felt like someone was truly in my corner in the military. Before hiring him, I was so stressed I could barely eat, sleep, or think about anything beyond the uncertainty of my future. But Mr. Carpenter changed all of that. Over the next few months, he worked tirelessly. He traveled over three hours to meet with me and everyone who would testify on my behalf. I watched him build my defense like a craftsman—careful, precise, relentless. When the day of the board hearing arrived, I walked in calm, collected, and confident—not because I wasn’t afraid, but because I knew I had the best beside me. The hearing lasted two full days. I still don’t know how he managed to get one of my former supervisors—a Major—to testify for me at 2 a.m. his time, in full dress blues, but he did. Mr. Carpenter left nothing on the table. After three hours of deliberation, the board decided on an Under Honorable Conditions (General) discharge. For me, after everything, that was a win. It gave me a path forward—a chance to continue serving this country I love, possibly with the National Guard. A second chance. If you’re on the edge, wondering whether to hire a lawyer—do it. The sleepless nights, the anxiety, the silence you face when you're just another case to an overworked military defense system—it’s not worth it. You deserve someone who will fight for you the way you’ve fought for others. Mr. Carpenter is that person. I hope my story helps someone else out there who’s standing where I once stood. You're not alone. And there's still a way forward. Good luck—and keep your head up. -AD

There is no better military lawyer better than Mr. Carpenter. He is highly professional, knowledgeable, and committed. You are a priority. His brief on my legal matter was exceptional. He supports CENTCOM AOR issues. Military lawyer is specific. Do not hire a general lawyer. Seek Mr. Carpenter. Highl...y recommend!

Mr. Carpenter handled my case with the uppermost care. He went above and beyond to ensure that my Court Martial was threatening my career and my life, and Mr. Carpenter assured me that he would do his very best to help me get through these challenging times. He kept me informed, assisted with getting... experts and helping me make decisions about my Court Martial that I had no experience with. I would recommend Mr. Carpenter to any Service Member facing UCMJ. He goes above and beyond to take care of his clients.