Practice Areas

Civilian Military Defense Lawyers — Court-Martial Attorneys Worldwide

At Cave & Freeburg, Military Defense Attorneys, we defend service members worldwide against serious military charges and adverse actions. Based in the Washington, D.C. area, we travel to military bases across the United States, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East to protect the rights and careers of soldiers, sailors, Marines, airmen, and guardians.

When you face investigation or charges under the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ), your career, freedom, and reputation are at stake. You need the best civilian court-martial lawyer fighting for you—not a government-assigned defense counsel whose loyalty can be to the system.

Philip D. Cave has more than 40 years of experience in military justice, and Nathan Freeburg has over 20 years of trial and appellate experience. Together, we have defended hundreds of service members in high-stakes cases including Article 120 sexual assault defense, drug charges, domestic violence, child assaults and digital materials (CSAM), espionage, and homicide.

Why Hire a Civilian Court-Martial Lawyer?

The military justice system has changed dramatically in the last 20 years—almost always in favor of prosecutors. Choosing an experienced UCMJ defense attorney early—during the investigation stage or at the preferral of charges—can make the difference between saving your career or losing everything.

We represent service members at every stage:

• Investigations & Article 32 hearings – Stop weak cases before they reach trial.
• Courts-martial – Aggressive defense against charges including Article 120 (sexual assault), Article 107 (false official statement), Article 133 (conduct unbecoming), and all other punitive articles.
• Article 15 / Non-Judicial Punishment – Fight back against unfair NJPs and protect your record.
• Adverse administrative actions – Letters of reprimand, bad OERs/NCOERs, promotion denials, and reductions in rank.
• Appeals – Overturn wrongful convictions caused by trial errors, unlawful command influence, or procedural violations.
• Discharge upgrades – Fix bad paper that hurts your benefits and civilian career opportunities.
• Security clearance defense – Protect your ability to serve in sensitive positions.

The Stakes Are High

A guilty finding in a court-martial can mean:

• Loss of rank and pay
• Confinement in a military prison
• A criminal record that follows you for life

Even “minor” actions like Article 15 punishment or adverse evaluations can derail your career and limit your future. That’s why hiring a dedicated civilian military lawyer—not just relying on appointed uniformed counsel—is the smartest move you can make.

Global Representation for Service Members

Our court-martial attorneys represent military personnel worldwide—from D.C. to Germany, Italy, Korea, Japan, and beyond. We meet clients in person and also handle cases through secure WhatsApp, Signal, or Zoom calls—on your schedule, no matter the time zone.

Call for a Free, Confidential Consultation

If you’re under investigation or facing charges, do not wait. Every hour matters once the military justice system targets you. Call Cave & Freeburg, Court-Martial Defense Lawyers today at (703) 298-9562 or contact us through our online form for a free consultation.

Your career. Your freedom. Your future. We fight for them.