Bill Meili

Bill Meili

also known as William C. Meili

5.0
Rating: 10.0

Licensed for 44 years

Military law Lawyer at Southlake, TX
Practice Areas: Military Law

1205 S. White Chapel Blvd., Suite 100, Southlake, TX

About Bill

Biography

Practice Areas

1

Practice Area

Military Law 100%

Board of Inquiry (BOI)/Show Cause Defense and Unqualified Resignations (UQR). We help save and prolong military careers through our BOI/Show Cause defense, and we help military professionals - obligated or not - exit service honorably and timely.

45 years

100%

Fees and Rates

Cost

Retainer

Always


Payment Methods

  • Cash
  • Check
  • Credit Card

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Licenses

Licensed in Texas for 40 years

State: Texas

Acquired: 1985

Eligible to Practice in Texas

No misconduct found

Licensed in Pennsylvania for 44 years

State: Pennsylvania

Acquired: 1981

Retired

No misconduct found

Location

Law Office of William C. Meili & Associates

1205 S. White Chapel Blvd., Suite 100, Southlake, TX, 76092

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Bill Meili's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

5.0 /5.0

95 Client Reviews

Showing 36 - 40 of 95 reviews

Posted by Edwin & Lacy Morales | October 19, 2020 | Hired Attorney | Military Law

Knowledgeable and Professional

Mr. Meili is truly an expert in military law and a fantastic attorney. He explains and walks you through everything in detail outlining options thoroughly. I highly recommend Mr. Meili for anyone needing help separating from military service and am very grateful to have had his help and expertise dur...ing a very difficult time. Edwin & Lacy Morales

Posted by Todd | September 30, 2020 | Hired Attorney | Lawsuits & Disputes

Competent, Compassionate, and Confident Representation

No price tag can match the value of knowing you have the best representation available. By having Mr. Meili accept my case he replaced a heavy burden of potentially serious consequences with a peace and confidence knowing I would get the best possible outcome. My case was dismissed from the court tha...nks to this competent and professional gentleman. Thank you for your dedication and commitment to my case.

Posted by Joel | August 28, 2020

GOMOR Transfer Consultation

Mr. Meili was very knowledgeable and very helpful. He explained and walked me to what the process would look like and answered all my questions. Would definitely recommend.

Posted by Michael | July 23, 2020 | Military Law

Honest Counsel

Mr. Bill Meili has integrity. He provides exceptional and honest counsel, even when it’s not in his financial interest. As service members trying to navigate sometimes complex military administrative law, it’s critical to have an attorney on our side that will not take us down an unproductive path.

Posted by anonymous | May 26, 2020 | Hired Attorney | Military Law

Active Duty Army (AMEDD) Medical Officer Show Cause Board

I am currently an officer in the Medical Corps. In late 2017, I was undergoing issues with my leadership and in process of leaving the training program I was in. I reached out to attorneys as I had ambiguously negative OERs and in addition was forced to sign them/ threatened with UCMJ if I did not.... I had a very specialized issue as a military physician and was curious about pursuing a UQR. I found Mr. Meili’s website and was intrigued by the reviews for officers and UQRs. I became acquainted with Bill during this time. He talked with me for about 2 hours and linked me up with one of his consultants who had gone through a somewhat similar circumstance. He was incredibly knowledgeable, kind, and if he did not know an answer, I can tell you he definitely knew someone who did and was not afraid to ask. Overwhelmed and with a desire to move past the situation, I chose to continue my obligation elsewhere, decided not to hire an attorney, and PCS’d to a new duty station. I found success in my new assignment; unfortunately negative OERs do not go away. 2 years later, I did not make Major and faced involuntary separation with possible other than honorable (OTH) discharge through a Show Cause-Board of Inquiry action. I was terrified about the impact on my medical and military career. I wasn’t sure if an OTH would fly at future employers on the civilian side. Remembering how thorough and helpful Bill had been for an individual who had not even given him a retainer, I reached back out immediately. To my delight, he recalled my situation and once again dove headfirst into all of the possible outcomes. His extraordinary ability to analyze the situation and outline necessary courses of action was invaluable. What made Bill different from other attorneys I spoke with about my case was his demeanor. He has the distinct ability to enter a situation or a room with a sense of clarity and calmness; even if you didn’t agree with him. He worked closely with my command, JAG and the TDS attorney that was representing me as well. He flew to Ft. Polk while I was on a training exercise to ensure a face to face before my Board, which ultimately took place in Hawaii a few months later. He flew there too! At that time that I questioned my abilities as a physician, as an officer, and as a leader, Bill was able to show the Board that I was not who or what was written in my OERs, and I was able to see it as well. After my Board of Inquiry voted unanimously to retain me, opposing counsel informed me that I was the first officer who had ever been retained by that particular Board President. I cannot describe what it feels like to experience that sense of validation of self….and not sure many others can do it to the extent that Bill can. I continue to do well in my current duty station and was told I’m up for top block rating this year. After working with Mr. Meili on the Board of Inquiry with a favorable outcome, it is one of my biggest regrets not engaging with him the first time around. Sometimes we make mistakes; sometimes the circumstances are not in our favor…in these times I would highly recommend Mr. Meili’s counsel without reservation. CPT MS, MC, USA

See All Client Reviews

Bill Meili's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Bill
Stephen P. Karns headshot
Stephen Karns

Military law lawyer | Jun 02

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I am very pleased to give Bill my highest endorsement. I have known Bill for ten years and I can think of few other attorneys who are as appreciated by their clients and well-respected by their colleagues. I would trust him with the most difficult of cases because I am familiar with the great results he gets for his clients. He is a true professional, embodying the best qualities that attorneys should have, and because I hold him in the highest personal and professional regard, he gets my unqualified endorsement."

Elizabeth Jo McShan headshot
Elizabeth McShan

Criminal defense lawyer | Jun 13

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Bill Meili is an excellent attorney who truly cares about his clients. He is an experienced, well-respected attorney and skilled negotiator. He does everything in his power to ensure the best results and truly cares about the clients and their future, not just the case at hand. When people request a referral for an attorney for criminal, juvenile, or military matters, Bill Meili is the first person on my list."

Richard Alan Hutto headshot
Richard Hutto

Military law lawyer | Feb 15

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"Bill Meili is one of the most dedicated and effective attorneys I have met in my 32-year legal career. I have interacted with him frequently in the past 14 years, seeing him as a legal advisor at hearings, serving against him as opposing counsel, and working with him on military law cases. Bill thoroughly researches the issues in whatever case he is handling and determines the best course of action to pursue. He is equally adept at both negotiating a matter and zealously representing his client at trial. He is a straight shooter—his honesty and integrity are well respected among military attorneys. Bill gives his all to his clients, making them feel as though a successful resolution of their case is the most important thing in his life. I heartily recommend Bill to anyone who needs a military or criminal law attorney."

Willis Ma headshot
Willis Ma

Juvenile law lawyer | Nov 21

Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

"I endorse Bill and would trust him if he represented my family on any legal issues. He is competent at what he does. He has a great reputation in the legal community. He genuinely cares and wants to help the people he represents. He will fight for justice even when it means going against the odds. I wholly believe in his experience and heart as an attorney."

George Glenn Galloway III headshot
George Galloway

Criminal defense lawyer | Oct 28

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I've known and worked with William "Bill" Meili for several years and have been very impressed with his knowledge, experience and commitment to helping clients. Bill takes and in-depth and practical approach to resolving his client's case. What has impressed me most about the way Bill works is his ability to get to know the people involved and work on a relationship level with the people, which brings a different dimension to his work product. For anyone looking to find an knowledgeable and seasoned attorney that goes beyond just "working a case", and who doesn't when they are facing life changing allegations, then Mr. Meili is a great choice for representing you or someone you know."

Michael Chad Kotwal headshot
Michael Kotwal

Criminal defense lawyer | Oct 14

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Bill is an outstanding attorney who blends a wealth of litigation experience in both criminal and military law with a personality that inspires confidence and trust in both clients and other attorneys."

John Drake McLauchlan headshot
John McLauchlan

Unknown lawyer | Jun 22

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I've known Bill Meili for over 20 years both as opposing counsel when he was a prosecutor and as a fellow lawyer in the defense bar. He is highly skilled and a man with a great deal of integrity and compassion."

Lynn Waller Kelly headshot
Lynn Kelly

Military law lawyer | Feb 04

Relationship: Co-worker

"Bill and I were prosecutors in the same office in the early 90's. He is brilliant, hard-working, personable, creative, and effective. I wholeheartedly recommend Bill as an excellent attorney who cares deeply about his clients."

Elena Cardona headshot
Elena Cardona

Military law lawyer | Aug 27

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"I wholeheartedly endorse Bill Meili as one of the finest attorneys I have had the pleasure of knowing. He works extremely hard for his clients and cares about them as he would a member of his own family. If someone I knew needed an attorney in the field of military law I would make sure they called Bill first."

Carole A. Cross headshot
Carole Cross

Military law lawyer | Jul 17

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"I endorse Bill Meili as an experienced professional who understands the military and his client's needs from a unique position of having served, advised and litigated. He is a zealous advocate with the right mix of practicality and ethics."

Joseph L. Jordan headshot
Joseph Jordan

Military law lawyer | Jul 05

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. I worked with Mr. Meili when I was in the Army Reserves, while attending Law School. I knew him then as COL Meili. He is the consumate professional. He is very experienced in military law. He critically analyzes every case. He has excellant client handling skills."

Nicholas Grant Smith headshot
Nicholas Smith

Military law lawyer | May 13

Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

"I endorse this lawyer."

John Morrison Cooper headshot
John Cooper

Military law lawyer | Jun 03

Relationship: Friend

"Bill Meili has been a trusted friend of mine for 15 years. I have worked with and for him on various criminal, juvenile, and military law matters, and sought his advice many times. He is wise, intelligent, skilled, and committed to advocating effectively for his clients. He keeps his clients informed and communicates with them before, during, and after the case. He is especially good at negotiating difficult legal situations to a favorable result for his clients, but is prepared to fight tenaciously in a contested hearing or trial when necessary. He achieves excellent results."

Michael W. Eaton headshot
Michael Eaton

Military law lawyer | May 20

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I've known Bill for many years, and he is a great lawyer. he keeps his client's interests at heart, and goes the extra mile to do what's best for the client. I wholeheartedly endorse him."

View All Endorsements
John Drake McLauchlan headshot
John McLauchlan

Juvenile law lawyer

Elizabeth Jo McShan headshot
Elizabeth McShan

Family lawyer

Stephen P. Karns headshot
Stephen Karns

Military law lawyer

Michael W. Eaton headshot
Michael Eaton

Business lawyer

Experience

Rating:  10.0 (Superb)

Honors

2022

Client's Choice, Avvo

2016

Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell

2016

Top 100 Trial Lawyers, National Trial Lawyers Association

2014

Top 100 Trial Lawyers, National Trial Lawyers Association

2007

Legion of Merit, United States of America -- U.S. Army

2000

Meritorious Service Medal, U.S. Army

1980

Book Award - Evidence, American Jurisprudence

1967

Eagle Scout, Boy Scouts of America

Work Experience

1993 - Present

Attorney - Owner, Law Offices Of William C. Meili & Associates

1987 - 1992

Assistant District Attorney, Dallas County District Attorney's Office

1987 - 2007

Colonel, Judge Advocate General Reserve, United States Army Reserve

1982 - 1987

Captain, United States Army

Associations

2014 - Present

Dallas Bar Association

Member

1999 - Present

National Eagle Scout Association

Member

1987 - Present

Reserve Officer's Association of the United States

Life Member

1985 - Present

State Bar of Texas

Member

1981 - Present

Dartmouth Lawyers Association

Member

1996 - 2003

Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association

Member

1981 - 2005

American Bar Association

Member

Sample of Legal Cases

Felony DWI with Professional License and Career Implications

Favorably resolved without a final, felony conviction.

Officer Promotion Passover -- GOMOR in Performance Section of OMPF

Reprimand Removed and Client Promoted

Juvenile Assault -- Family Violence

Case Dismissed (Non-Suited)

See More Legal Cases

Education

1981

College of William and Mary, Marshall-Wythe School of Law

JD - Juris Doctor

1975

Dartmouth College

AB

Speaking Engagements

2014

2014

Real Talk Texas -- Radio Show, Dallas

Saving Military Careers and Military Law

2002

2002 Criminal Law Seminar

Ethics in Criminal Law: Ten Tips for Avoiding the Most Common Grievances

Publications

2002

Criminal Law Seminar Corpus Christi Bar Association Ethics in Criminal Law: Ten Tips for Avoiding the Most Common Grievances

Languages

English

Avvo Rating

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  • Experience & background Years licensed, work experience, education
  • Legal community recognition Peer endorsements, associations, awards
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  • Discipline Disciplinary information may not be comprehensive, or updated. We recommend that you always check a lawyer's disciplinary status with their respective state bar association before hiring them.
Avvo Rating Levels
10.0 - 9.0 Superb8.9 - 8.0 Excellent7.9 - 7.0 Very Good6.9 - 6.0 Good5.9 - 5.0 Average4.9 - 4.0 Concern3.9 - 3.0 Caution2.9 - 2.0 Strong Caution1.9 - 1.0 Extreme Caution