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Gary Stephen Barthel
About Gary
Biography
Gary S. Barthel, LtCol USMC (Ret.), currently serving active duty and former military clients as a private military lawyer, had the great honor to serve his country for 20 years and understands the unique mindset of active duty and retired military personnel. Moreover, Gary understands how both the military and the civilian legal systems work and how one often affects the other. His insight into both legal worlds makes him an ideal advocate for your service and your career when you face any military related Administrative Actions, are accused of a crime on or off base by command or civilian authorities, or are former-military and desire the connection and legal-representation in the civilian world by a fellow former servicemember.
In addition to defending active and retired Servicemembers in civilian courts and military courts-martial cases as a civilian military lawyer, Gary represents active duty Servicemembers before military administrative separation boards, military disability evaluation boards, security clearance appeal hearings, and a variety of Veteran Administration proceedings.
Pursuant to the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act, Mr. Barthel is frequently appointed by the California Superior Court to confirm a military member’s active duty status for the court when a Servicemember is a named defendant in a civil matter.
As a Marine Corps “Mustang” he has the unique experience of having served both as an enlisted Marine and a Marine officer.
Mr. Barthel’s enlisted military duties included serving with the U.S. Department of State at the U.S. Embassy in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania and Athens, Greece. Mr. Barthel also served on Secret Service details for the U.S. Secretary of State and the United States Ambassador to the United Nations.
As a Marine Officer, Mr. Barthel serveed as a military defense counsel, Senior Military Defense Counsel, military prosecutor and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney, and Staff Judge Advocate for Commanding Generals and their staff at multiple commands.
For more information on Gary Barthel, Esq. and his dedication to the worldwide representation of the men and women who serve or who have served in the United States Armed Forces, please visit his website at:
Practice Areas
1
Practice Area
Military Law
100%
38 years
Fees and Rates
Cost
Payment Methods
- Cash
- Check
- Credit Card
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Chat withLicenses
Licensed in California for 23 years
State: California
Acquired: 2002
No misconduct found
Licensed in Minnesota for 38 years
State: Minnesota
Acquired: 1987
No misconduct found
Location
Military Law Center
2173 Salk Avenue., Carlsbad, CA, 92008
Military Law Center
8880 Rio San Diego Drive, PMB 815, San Diego, CA, 92108
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Gary Stephen Barthel's Reviews
Showing 1 - 2 of 2 client reviews from Avvo
Posted by Kim | September 25, 2018 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
First Class
Attorney Barthel represented my soldier son in military court in a she said criminal suite. Attorney Barthel’s actual experience in military law was evident at the first meeting as he worked with details of she said and he said. When in court he was to the point and out of court he gave us understan...
Posted by anonymous | April 17, 2013
Military Criminal Defense
Attorney Barthel recently represented a significant client of mine in a difficult criminal trial in San Diego, California involving allegations of domestic violence. After a three day jury trial, including expert testimony offered by the prosecutor, the jury returned a not guilty verdict. As a fellow...
Gary Stephen Barthel's Lawyer Endorsements
"I endorse this lawyer."
"Gary is an exceptional criminal defense attorney whose reputation speaks for itself. Highly recommended lawyer."
"I had the pleasure of working with Gary at Higgs, Fletcher & Mack, LLP. Gary was a well respected lawyer who often provided me with excellent and reasoned advice on matters that I handled, even though they were outside his practice area. He had multiple successful defense outcomes and verdicts. I strongly endorse this lawyer."
"I worked with Gary on a complex and sensitive sex crime case in 2011. The facts were bad and the case seemed to have avenues of attack. However, Gary went to work on experts and exploration of procedural issues. His pragmatic, deliberate strategy quickly put the prosecution on the defensive. At the same time, Gary's reputation and demeanor earned him much respect with the military judge and convening authority in the case. In the military justice realm, that type of respect can assist your client as much courtroom advocacy. He ended up achieving a result in the case that was far better than what that client could have expected given the facts and evidence. I have maintained a relationship with Gary in the ensuing years, and I continually see more of the same."
"This attorney works very hard for the client and keeps up with the law by attending legal seminars to assist them in this regard. I endorse this attorney."
"Our QC and Safety Plans, of cource we only extract the applicable parts or summaries and we do not include in our proposals the entire plan, unless they ask for it specifically."
"I first met Gary several years ago when he gave a presentation during a course for U.S. Marine Corps Legal Assistance attorneys. Needless to say, I was highly impressed by his intelligence, breadth of knowledge, poise, and calm demeanor. Over the years, Gary has established himself as an expert in the area of military law, specifically Criminal Defense (UCMJ) and Civil Litigation (SCRA). He has earned the title of expert through his extensive litigation and leadership experience following a 20 year career in the U.S. Marine Corps, in which he retired as a Lieutenant Colonel and was the Staff Judge Advocate for MCAS Miramar. Gary gets results for his clients because he is very well prepared and he works extremely hard for his clients. I would recommend him to anyone."
"I have known Gary for over a decade. He is a leader in the community, a creative and effective advocate, and just an all around pleasure to work with. Enthusiastically endorsed and recommended!"
"I endorse Gary. He is a talented advocate with outstanding work ethic."
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Experience
Honors
2013
2013 METRO MOVER, SDMETRO
Work Experience
2015 - Present
Managing Partner, Military Law Center, Inc.
2013 - 2014
Owner, Law Offices of Gary S. Barthel
2003 - 2013
Partner, Higgs, Fletcher, Mack
1987 - 2003
JAG, United States Marine Corps
Associations
2014 - Present
San Diego County Bar AssociationCo-Chair of Military Law Section
2013 - Present
Invest In A Vet FoundationPresident
2002 - Present
State Bar of CaliforniaMember
American Bar Association
Member
Minnesota State Bar Association
Member
2011 - 2012
Veterans Bar AssociationPast President
Sample of Legal Cases
U.S. v. Quintanilla
LIfe instead of death.
Education
1999
University of Virginia School of Law (TJAGSA)
LL.M - Master of Laws
1986
Whittier College School of Law
JD - Juris Doctor
1983
Augsburg University
BA - Bachelor of Arts
Speaking Engagements
2015
CBS Evening News
Military Sex Offender Registration
Publications
2014
San Diego Lawyer Magazine
WEAPONS HOLD
Languages
English
Activity
Legal Answers