Stephen P. Karns

I hired Stephen on June 2023 as soon as I found out that I was getting investigated by the CID. Throughout the process, Stephen answered all my questions in timely manner and always stayed on top when there was an update. Not many lawyers will update you instantly, but Stephen was the lawyer who was ...sincere and supported me during the whole process. As soon as I received a GOMOR, Stephen responded and completed the packet within three weeks and the GOMOR was destroyed after 5 days. I just want to say Thank you! I would hire Stephen if you are being investigated by the Army for any reason. One of the top lawyer!

Asleep one night, after an argument with my ex-girlfriend, whom I didn’t lay a finger on that night, I get woken up by the MPs to hear I had been accused of assault. I did not make a statement that night, knowing that statements can be used against you. At that time I did not know anything about the ...military justice system. A couple of months go by and, no one had contacted me to hear my side of the story. That assault charge turned into domestic violence. Then one day I get notified that I was going to face and Administrative Separation Board with an other than honorable (OTH) discharge. I thought to myself “how can this be?” what evidence are they looking at, that they went so extreme I had not done anything and, I had never been in trouble during my career. I felt like my world was caving in and went into a dark depression. My unit basically told me there was no hope and that I should prepare for a life outside of the military. Unfortunately the Army life and it’s all I’ve ever known. I frantically start looking up attorneys online since, hadn’t even heard of any one going through an AD SEP board. Mr. Karns was at the top of my google search [redacted] so, I contacted him immediately. Right off the bat he was very professional and it sounded like he knew exactly what he was talking about, at that point, it wasn’t a question whether to hire him. Whenever, I would worry about my case, which was quite a heavy burden, I would just google Stephen Karns and see all of his accomplishments and experience; I knew I was in good hands. I get PCS’d back to the states in preparation for the board and get an administrative position that took me away from my operational MOS. About a year after the incident, while awaiting my separation board I get hit with a GOMOR for the same incident. Again, I frantically call Mr. Karns, he replied immediately and gave me the hope and peace of mind that I needed. He had a strong rebuttal written with in a week. Months later, I found out that my GOMOR was filed in my AMHRR, which crushed me even more. A few months later my Separation Board notification came. A day prior to the board, I met with Mr. Karns in person, he went over all the evidence with me and individually interviewed all of my witnesses. He also had me rehearse my statement multiple times. The next day I walked in to the board with with the utmost confidence. Mr. Karns’ defense was so aggressive that he had the prosecutor stuttering during the board. With his expertise, he pointed out all of the conflicting evidence. It was easy for the board to find me “NOT GUILTY”. A few months later I went through the QMP Board, because of my GOMOR, I submitted my Separation Board Result in my QMP mitigation and was retained in the Military. I owe my career to Mr. Karns, I will be thankful to him for the rest of my days.

I spoke with a few firms and attorneys that specialized in Court Martial as civilian attorneys and Mr.Karns was my choice. My case was that of it was either going to cost me my life in Federal Confinement or it was going to be nothing. Luckily for me, I never had to call on Mr.Karns for defense at tr...ial and my case was handled at the minimal level possible. I will attest to Mr.Karn’s communication and how well he communicated with my Brigade legal team, his presence on the case and ensuring everyone knew I was represented by his firm and his willingness to trouble shoot ideas, give me advice and be ready in case the time came for him to stand between myself and the federal government. I would recommend Karns Law Firm to anyone in my case, being faced with punitive action while active duty.

I cannot recommend Mr. Karns after the experience I had with him as my attorney. Mr. Karns was hired to represent me in my pending case, and prior to paying him, he told me a couple things we could do to initiate the best possible defense. After he was paid, he started my defense case but subsequentl...y, nothing else happened. For context, I had a positive urinalysis and was told we could do a civilian polygraph and hair follicle test to prove my innocence. I only did a hair follicle test, and that was after reminding Mr. Karns about it and he told me to go ahead and get one. After I found out my hair would not be long enough to cover the length of time, where it was presumed I consumed the banned substance, I notified Mr. Karns and his response was "Well we can't use that". If you're an "aggressive" lawyer and have represented multiple drug cases, wouldn't you know this? Mr. Karns also didn't do anything to fight my charges. He did not contact legal and try to fight to drop or lessen the charges. He had his paralegal type up my defense and that was about it. I called around to multiple civilian attorneys who specialize in representing service members. They all disagreed with what Mr. Karns "defense" strategy was and one even said he is a "volume lawyer" that will take your money and no very little for you. If anything, plead out. Like you, I went off his website, reviews, and spoke with him myself and hired him off his reputation. I was very mistaken for doing so. I promptly terminated my professional working relationship with him and hired a FREE TDS attorney. My TDS attorney did more for me than Mr. Karns did and they only had 7 business days to put together my defense. Suffice to say, I beat my case and it was heavily accredited to my TDS attorneys arguments. They even called legal and tried to get them to drop the case, which ultimately worked. Long story short, hire a TDS attorney and save your money, or hire someone else. He isn't the "aggressive" lawyer who will be "in your corner".

Stephen was the first attorney I contacted to assist me with a show cause board. He contacted me almost immediately after I emailed him. I explained my situation and he provided me with a very professional and aggressive plan of action. I told him that I had contacted other attorney's to gauge my opt...ions. After speaking to other attorneys I made my decision to go with Steve. Hands down, he impressed me from the get go. I highly recommend Steve to anyone who finds themselves going before a show cause board.