Don C. King

PRO

Don C. King

5.0
Rating: 9.2

Licensed for 30 years

Military law Lawyer at Seattle, WA
Practice Areas: Military Law

1455 NW Leary Way, Seattle, WA

Virtual Consultation Available

Free Consultation

About Don

Biography

Military attorneys and paralegals with over 100 combined years of active duty legal experience. There is no legal or security clearance issue that we have not fought. And because experience matters, we win--often.

Whether you are an active duty member, the parent of an active duty member, a veteran, or a civilian with security clearance issues, HIRE EXPERIENCE. We're here to help.

Practice Areas

1

Practice Area

Military Law 100%

court martial, appeals, security clearance suspension or revocations, administrative separation hearings, military records corrections discharge upgrades and pardons, nonjudicial punishment, NJP, military disciplinary actions.

31 years | 3,000 cases

100%

Fees and Rates

Cost

Free Consultation

$0 first 120 minutes


Payment Methods

  • Cash
  • Check
  • Credit Card

Awards

Client's Choice
Client's Choice
2026 2025 2024
...
+ 3

Licenses

Licensed in Washington for 4 years

State: Washington

Acquired: 2021

Active

No misconduct found

Licensed in Oregon for 30 years

State: Oregon

Acquired: 1996

Inactive

No misconduct found

Location

King Military Law

1455 NW Leary Way, Seattle, WA, 98107

kingmilitarylaw.com/

King Military Law

501 West Broadway Suite 800, San Diego, CA, 92101

kingmilitarylaw.com/

King Military Law

701 Palomar Airport Rd Suite 300, Carlsbad, CA 92011, Suite 300, Carlsbad, CA, 92011

kingmilitarylaw.com/

King Military Law

999 Waterside Dr., Suite 2525, Norfolk, VA, 23510

kingmilitarylaw.com/

King Military Law

50 N. Laura St, Suite 2500, Jacksonville, FL, 32202

kingmilitarylaw.com/

Online Presence

Other places you can find Don online.

Don C. King's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

5.0 /5.0

95 Client Reviews

Showing 16 - 20 of 23 reviews | Compassion

Posted by anonymous | August 04, 2022 | Hired Attorney | Military Law

2022 - HM2 (SW)

If you are looking for an EXCEPTIONAL MILITARY LAWYER to represent you and protect your career in the US military; I give my highest recommendation to KING MILITARY LAW. Mr. King and his staff worked hard defending me in an Administrative Separation Board resulting in a FULL ACQUITTAL and RETENTIO...N in the US Navy. The staff of KING MILITARY LAW led by retired LNC De La Garza is top notch! From the beginning, his staff was fast-acting, hardworking, open and honest. Mrs. De La Garza was very helpful, understanding, and passionate about my case. All of my questions were answered quickly. I completely trusted KING MILITARY LAW! Mr. King’s representation was above and beyond my expectations. Mr. King was easy to talk to, nonjudgmental, professional and always respectful. I felt confident with Mr. Don King leading my defense in the Administrative Separation Board. Mr. King has an UNSURPASSED KNOWLEDGE OF THE MILITARY LAW SYSTEM AND MILITARY DEFENSE! Worth every penny!

Don King

Replied last August 05, 2022

Thank you so much for the review! and thanks especially for the shout out to our phenomenal senior paralegal and office manager Ms. De La Garza--you're right, she is incredibly helpful and understanding! It was an honor working with/getting to know you and your spouse and we're so happy that things turned out for the absolute best! You both deserved this big win! Look forward to seeing great things from you! Don

Posted by Renzo | June 01, 2022 | Hired Attorney | Military Law

Naval Officer

I have known CAPT (Ret), Don King, now for more than a year and he’s more than a military lawyer. As soon as you hire him, you will see from day #1 that he will treat you as more than just a client. I hired him after the Navy accused me of issues and tried to separate me after more than twelve years ...of active duty and that fight took nearly a year. But I will never forget, for example, how routine it was for Don to call me over that time and keep me updated and to just "check up on me," see how I was doing, ask about my family, and advise me to take some leave and try to ignore my problems for a time. This may not seem that significant, but it will after months of facing daily a depressing, isolated, hostile work environment. If you ever find yourself accused by your command, you’ll feel absolutely abandoned. Don understood that and it was priceless to have his encouragement and compassion. My nightmare began in May 2021, three weeks before my family and I were to PCS from Japan. As a Naval Officer, my life changed dramatically when I was falsely accused and charged with several counts under the UCMJ. I immediately sought help from the active duty JAGs but they seemed inexperienced and uncommitted. I hired another law firm and they were a waste of money. A day before my NJP, my wife contacted King Military Law to ask for advice and explained to Mr. King that we were stationed overseas. Mr. King informed her that he would need to read and review all the documents before he could tell her if he could help me and asked her to forward those documents to him. Within hours, and for no cost, Mr. King was on the phone with me and quickly started advising me of my different options. I finally felt like I was in good hands as Mr. King talked me through what the future would be and gave me hope to fight these charges. I refused NJP and demanded a court martial but the command folded and tried to separate me instead. Mr. King did an exhaustive investigation into the allegations and found evidence that supported me that even I didn’t know existed! After CNPC ordered separation, Mr King submitted thirty page memo to CNPC showing that I was not guilty or that I should at least get a hearing to present the evidence. CNPC agreed and gave me a hearing. Throughout this process, Mr. King was available 24/7 and always took the time to speak with me regarding my concerns and where we were in the BOI process. In addition, Mr. King agreed to fly to Japan to represent me and I spent an entire week with him. I quickly learned that he possesses unmatched drive and determination. Before settling on a course of action, he attacks problems from all angles and plays each one out in great detail. The benefits of his actions were apparent long before we stepped foot in the hearing, amassing a sizeable defense file. He kept me informed and sought my input on all matters. During the BOI proceedings, he absolutely unleashed hell on the government with a well-prepared and blistering case that left the government lawyers (there were two of them!) speechless. In a very respectful manner, Mr. King proved that the accuser and government witnesses were lying and ended up not only convincing the BOI members to find me NOT GUILTY on all charges, but they actually expressed their irritation at the command for the lack of leadership and judgement in bringing these charges to the BOI in the first place. Mr. King saved my career and I can’t thank him enough on behalf of myself and my family. I am forever grateful, and, although he was more expensive than other lawyers out there, it was absolutely the best money we have ever spent--and the best decision I have ever made. If you find yourself in the same shoes…your search should end here.”

Don King

Replied last June 29, 2022

Renzo: WOW! What a case you had! All of us here at KML are so happy that you reached out to us over a year ago! Your case was a long fight, that took several letters and LOTS of phone calls but the hearing results said it all! You didn't deserve to be treated the way you were and I'm sorry you and your family had to go through all of that, but I'm so glad you never gave up! Sometimes the right result requires a great deal of time and effort. BUT YOU DID IT! Congrats to you and your family and good luck at your next duty station! Don

Posted by Jordan Robinson | March 03, 2022 | Hired Attorney | Criminal Defense

The best lawyer in San Diego, if not the best, one of the best!!)

Don and his team are very great. I got caught alien smuggling at the border of Tijuana and Don helped me get out of the military with a medical seperation and I got to keep all my benefits and disability pay. I highly recommend Don and his team because they work hard and care about their clients.

Don King

Replied last March 11, 2022

Thanks for leaving us a review, Jordan. We're so happy that you reached out to us and we were able to help you get the discharge you deserved. We truly do pride ourselves on the "hardest working" law firm in town when it comes to protecting our clients. We try unorthodox approaches and, as it did in your case, it pays off! Best of luck to you in your future and please stay in touch!

Posted by LuAnn | June 30, 2021 | Hired Attorney | Lawsuits & Disputes

Cannot recommend enough!

After speaking to several attorneys that all said our case was hopeless we found Don King. He took the time to listen to our whole story and understand what had happened and what we needed. He made us feel like our case was important and he genuinely cared. He maintained open lines of communication ...and kept us abreast of all developments. He explained the process thoroughly up front, and set proper expectations. He won our un-winnable case through extraordinary diligence. He thought of all the potential pitfalls and was prepared for every challenge. There are no words to express how grateful we are to him. We cannot recommend him enough!

Don King

Replied last June 30, 2021

Thanks so much for the generous and kind words, LuAnn--it was an honor getting to know you and your family! Too often, parents with sons and daughters in the military are confused and feel hopeless when the military system targets their loved one. It's foreign and confusing. I'm so glad you didn't "give up," and reached out for help instead. Your loved one deserved to win this "un-winnable" case and I'm sure will have an extraordinary career in the military. Please keep in touch! Don

Posted by anonymous | May 20, 2021 | Hired Attorney | Military Law

Recently Separated Navy Sailor/Corrupt Command

It’s impossible for me to give you all the full story of what my command did to me out to sea in only 4,000 characters so I’ll just leave you with the ending because that’s all that matters. The outcome after hiring Don King. Once we got back to port I contacted don after I found his number on google... as a last resort. I was desperate and hopeless. I sent a pdf file of all of the medical evidence as well as documented evidence I gathered over the previous months via email to Don. Shortly after we met face to face in mid December right before I went on holiday leave. I paid him his retainer fee & 2.5 months later I was honorably discharged from the Navy with a dd-214 in hand. Throughout the entire process of don representing me he always reached out to check on me. And he made it clear to my entire chain of command that if there was any retaliation for me hiring an attorney that there would be swift & severe consequences. He always offered moral support & answered the phone any time I had a question. He protected me on my way out & taught me how to properly navigate this entire process in a safe & effective manner. He was absolutely ruthless when it came to fighting to get me a good deal & make sure I didn’t get screwed over with a negative discharge that negatively effected my life outside of the military. Don is a man with a good moral compass, and 30 years prior navy jag experience as a retired captain. His knowledge & experience is absolutely priceless & if you pay for his services you will absolutely receive the best outcome that a legal representative can possibly provide. In a matter of 2.5 months Don did what congress & the entire department of the navy couldn’t do combined. I couldn’t be happier that I came across Don’s name & I’ll forever be grateful to call him a friend. If anyone is being abused by their chain of command I highly suggest you start documenting absolutely everything that happens to you & contact don king. Once you give him the evidence of what has been happening to you, he will get you what you need every single time.

Don King

Replied last May 20, 2021

Thanks so much for the review and the kind words. I wish I could say your case was unusual, but ever more often we're seeing service members being treated like "problems" to be quickly disciplined and separated. I'm so glad you reached out and got help as in no way did you deserve what they were trying to do to you. Unfortunately, many don't think or know they can get help. Hopefully, by telling your story here, it will help others in need. All the best to you! Don

See All Client Reviews

Don C. King's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Don
Paul C LeBlanc headshot
Paul LeBlanc

Military law lawyer | Nov 03

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"I've known Don for over 25 years. He is a dedicated and aggressive lawyer for his clients. He is fair and thoroughly prepared for any situation. His knowledge of military and administrative law is voluminous."

Bethany Payton-O'Brien headshot
Bethany Payton-O'Brien

Military law lawyer | Feb 16

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"Don King is AGGRESSIVE and EXPERIENCED, and just the lawyer you need for a military legal matter. I have known him for almost 25 years and have worked with him on a number of legal cases over the years. Hire him now!"

View All Endorsements
Paul C LeBlanc headshot
Paul LeBlanc

Military law lawyer

Bethany Payton-O'Brien headshot
Bethany Payton-O'Brien

Military law lawyer

Experience

Rating:  9.2 (Superb)

Honors

2019

Top 100 Criminal Defense Trial Lawyers Invitation, National Trial Lawyers

2009

Outstanding Judge Advocate, Judge Advocates Association

2007

Best Lawyer, Best Lawyers in America

1996

Trial Advocacy Award Winner, American Trial Lawyers Association

Work Experience

1996 - 2020

Military Attorney, U.S. Navy Jag Corps

Associations

2020 - Present

Washington State Bar Association

Member

2020 - Present

Washington State Bar Association

Military Law

2000 - Present

Oregon State Bar

Military Law Section

2000 - Present

Oregon State Bar

Criminal Law Section

Sample of Legal Cases

U.S. v. Shaw

Full acquittal

See More Legal Cases

Education

2019

Judge Advocate General's School, U.S. Army

Appellate Judge

2013

Judge Advocate General's School, U.S Air Force

Advanced Ethics Counselor

2010

Naval Justice School

National Security Litigation

2009

Judge Advocate General's School, U.S. Army

Military Judge

2002

Naval Justice School

Advanced Trial Litigtion

1999

Naval Justice School

Basic Trial Advocacy

1997

Naval Justice School

Basic Trial Litigation

1995

University of Oregon School of Law

J.D.

Speaking Engagements

2014

Advanced National Security Litigation Course

National Security Litigation

2013

Defense Counsel Assistance Course

Defense Counsel Litigation Skills

2011

Naval Justice School

Advanced Trial Advocacy

2006

Basic Lawyer Course

Trial Advocacy

Publications

2014

Deskbook for use by Navy and Marine Corps defense attorneys U.S. Navy Criminal Defense Counsel Deskbook

Activity

Avvo Rating

Our Rating is calculated using information the lawyer has included on their profile in addition to the information we collect from state bar associations and other organizations that license legal professionals. Attorneys who claim their profiles and provide Avvo with more information tend to have a higher rating than those who do not.

What determines Avvo Rating?
  • Experience & background Years licensed, work experience, education
  • Legal community recognition Peer endorsements, associations, awards
  • Legal thought leadership Publications, speaking engagements
  • 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