Worldwide Defense in Military Proceedings
Thorn | Lawrence, P.L., provides experienced representation to Sailors, Soldiers, Airmen, Marines, Coast Guardsmen, Officers and other military service members, in criminal prosecutions, involuntary discharges and administrative proceedings.
Our Tampa, Florida law firm proudly serves members of the U.S. armed forces worldwide, whether stationed at a base in the United States or deployed overseas. Our military law attorneys travel worldwide to protect you, your livelihood, your family and your military career.
We have the skills and experience to fight for you in all military law proceedings:
- Courts-martial — We provide a vigorous defense for all Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) charges at a general, special, or summary court-martial, fighting for a not guilty finding or negotiating to minimize your punitive exposure.
- Article 32 Proceedings - Similar to a civilian preliminary hearing, members who are accused of serious misconduct will likely be faced with an Article 32 hearing to determine if probable cause exists to suspect a crime was committed and at what forum or type of court martial the charge should proceed. Thorn | Lawrence's skilled attorneys stand ready to vigorously represent you at this important initial criminal proceeding.
- Nonjudicial Punishment (NJP) — We protect your rights and work hard to secure a finding of no misconduct in Article 15 proceedings (a.k.a. Captain's Mast or Office Hours.)
- Separation Boards and Boards of Inquiry — We represent enlisted personnel and officers in administrative proceedings which will determine whether the member will be separated (discharged) from the military service.
- Physical Evaluation & Medical Boards — Whether you are seeking a disability discharge or fighting to stay on active duty after a service-related injury, we work to keep the government honest in its determination of your fitness for duty or entitlement to disability benefits.
- Discharge Review & Board of Corrections — We can help you navigate the complex process of appealing your discharge classification or correcting errors in your service record.
- Redress for Wrongs — We assist service members in ensuring their rights are respected and in requesting redress for wrongs.
Former Navy JAG Officer Protecting Your Rights
Thorn | Lawrence, P.L. partner Marcus S. Lawrence, Jr., is a former United States Navy Judge Advocate General's (JAG) Corps Officer, with many years of experience representing service members in military justice matters. Marcus' military law experience includes criminal justice matters, law of military operations and administrative law concerns. His years of experience on active duty and as a civil military law practitioner have made him knowledgeable of the Military Rules of Evidence, the Uniform Code of Military Justice, relevant case law, and the art of advocating before a Military Judge and members panel. As a civilian military defense lawyer, Marcus Lawrence now works to provide service members with strong representation in military matters. Marcus' experience as both a Navy JAG Officer and a civilian trial attorney provide him and his clients a unique and valuable skill set honed through years of education, training and litigation experience.
Mr. Lawrence has defended service members facing a wide array of UCMJ violations that have led to courts-martial, NJP and separation boards. Marcus' skills and experience have resulted in him earning a 10.0 out of 10.0 rating on Avvo, an independent lawyer rating service, and being recognized as one of Florida Super Lawyers Rising Stars for 2009.
Your Right to Civilian Counsel, Wherever You Serve
All who serve in the U.S. military, officer or enlisted, are entitled to hire a civilian lawyer for adverse proceedings, criminal or administrative. In many instances your career and your livelihood hang in the balance. In such situations, you deserve to be represented by skilled counsel who are independent and free to represent you vigorously without worrying about their next evaluation or promotion. We can explain all your rights and the benefits of civilian counsel over the military's own counsel appointed to you. Your decision to hire civilian counsel does not have to be an either/or choice — if you desire, we will work with your appointed military counsel attorney and we can assist you in identifying an Independent Military Counsel of your own choosing.
Thorn | Lawrence provides worldwide representation to U.S. military personnel. Mr. Lawrence has litigated cases which originated throughout the continental United States, Hawaii, Europe, Guam, Japan, Southeast Asia and the Middle East. We stand ready to assist United States service members worldwide.
We represent enlisted personnel and officers in all branches of the service, each of which has its own unique rules and procedures:
Army • Navy • Air Force • Marines • Coast Guard
Comprehensive Military Law Services
Our legal services extend beyond courts martial and Article 15's to administrative separation boards, clemency matters, discharge upgrades, medical disability boards, matters pending before military service-specific appellate courts, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces and the U.S. Supreme Court. Whether you are seeking to avoid or upgrade an other than honorable discharge, trying to enforce your rights to reemployment after returning home from active duty, or appealing a finding of misconduct, we can represent you throughout the military administrative process and military justice system. Thorn | Lawrence also vigorously represents service members in a variety of matters, including Service Members Civil Relief Act ("SCRA") and Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act ("USERRA") disputes with creditors or employers in civilian courts.
In addition, Thorn | Lawrence, P.L., lawyers can assist civilian contractors and businesses in their commercial relations with the military. Our attorneys assist clients with matters involving contract solicitation, bid proposals, blanket purchase agreements and the Federal Acquisition Regulation ("FAR"). For additional information regarding the firm's civil law services, please see our Commercial Law practice area.
For experienced and effective representation in military law matters worldwide, contact us by phone or email to schedule a consultation.
