Stephanie L. Kral

Stephanie joined the United States Air Force as a First Lieutenant in the Judge Advocate General’s Corps in 2011 and ascended to the rank of Major by the time she completed her service in 2018. Her family has a distinguished military background, tracing back to her grandfather, who was a gunner on a B-29 Superfortress during the Korean War, and her father, who worked in Aircraft Maintenance on several key airframes including the A-10 Thunderbolt II and F-16 Fighting Falcon. He also supported Operation Southern Watch and concluded his career as a Production Supervisor in the Equipment Maintenance Squadron. Stephanie cherishes her childhood memories spent around her father’s shop on base.

Upon her commission, Stephanie quickly established herself as an exceptional litigator in the Air Force, known for her vigorous work ethic, courtroom prowess, and commitment to her clients. In 2012, she met Abby, and they formed a formidable team, excelling in trial preparation and litigation. Early in her career, Stephanie led the Military Justice department at one of the busiest bases in the U.S., overseeing the prosecution of 30 criminal trials, including several high-stakes cases, while also prosecuting other trials and advising on federal law enforcement investigations.

Her excellence led to her selection as a Defense Counsel, where she defended numerous Air Force personnel across the U.S. facing criminal and administrative charges, including serious offenses like rape and domestic violence. Stephanie's adept handling of complex cases involving medical, forensic, and cross-cultural issues, along with her expertise in Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Traumatic Brain Injury, distinguished her as a top defense litigator globally.

Between 2014 and 2017, Stephanie and Abby defended a particularly challenging court-martial, helping their client avoid a life sentence after 2.5 years of rigorous defense work, culminating in a complete acquittal. This success reaffirmed their effectiveness as a team.

Her courtroom achievements led to her appointment by The Judge Advocate General as a Senior Trial Counsel, an elite role focused on prosecuting the most challenging and high-profile military trials. Stephanie handled cases involving conspiracy, drugs, assault, child abuse, and financial fraud, among others. She also served as adjunct faculty at litigation courses and was recognized as the top speaker among 535 at the Air Force Squadron Officer School.

After her tenure as a prosecutor, Stephanie transitioned to civilian life in February 2019, starting her practice as a Civilian Defense Counsel to leverage her prosecutorial insight to the benefit of her clients, tackling every phase of the legal process with a strategic approach. Her dedication to defending servicemembers spans all military branches and types of justice actions, and she also assists veterans in rectifying errors in their records.

Stephanie resides in San Diego, CA with her husband and three children, continuing to serve clients around the globe.