Military Administrative Separation Lawyer
McCormack & McCormack provides experienced military administrative separation defense for service members throughout the United States and at military bases worldwide. Our attorneys have extensive military justice experience defending careers, benefits, and futures.
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Facing a Military Administrative Separation?
Your career, benefits and
future may be at stake.
A military administrative separation can threaten your career, discharge characterization, retirement eligibility, veterans’ benefits, security clearance, and future employment opportunities. If you are facing an Enlisted Administrative Separation Board, Officer Show Cause Board, or Board of Inquiry, experienced legal representation can be critical.
McCormack & McCormack represents officers and enlisted service members facing administrative separation proceedings and other serious military disciplinary actions. Since 1982, our firm has represented military members in complex cases involving alleged misconduct, serious offenses, drug allegations, fraternization, sexual misconduct, violations of military regulations, and other accusations that may place a military career at risk.
Our military administrative separation lawyers examine the allegations, investigate the evidence, identify procedural and evidentiary weaknesses, prepare witnesses, develop mitigation evidence, and build a strategy designed to protect your military career and the benefits you have earned.
You may have one meaningful opportunity to fight an involuntary separation and unfavorable discharge characterization. McCormack & McCormack is prepared to advocate aggressively for your retention, your record, your benefits, and your future.
What Does a Military Administrative Separation Lawyer Do?
A military administrative separation lawyer represents service members who are facing involuntary discharge from the military. Administrative separation proceedings are not criminal trials, but the outcome can have serious and lasting consequences for a service member’s career, discharge characterization, benefits, retirement, reputation, and civilian employment opportunities.
At McCormack & McCormack, our attorneys take a hands-on approach to military administrative separation cases. We evaluate the basis for separation, examine the government’s evidence, identify procedural problems, prepare witnesses and supporting evidence, and develop a defense strategy based on the specific circumstances of the service member’s case.
Review the Administrative Separation Notice:
A military administrative separation lawyer reviews the command’s notification and the stated basis for separation, including the alleged misconduct and recommended characterization of service. Understanding exactly what the government is alleging is the first step toward developing an effective defense.
Prepare for the Separation Board or Board of Inquiry:
Preparation can be critical in an administrative separation proceeding. Our attorneys help service members prepare testimony, identify witnesses, develop exhibits, organize character evidence, and build a strategy for presenting the strongest possible case before the board.
Argue for Retention:
When the circumstances support it, our military administrative separation lawyers can argue that the service member should be retained. We work to demonstrate the member’s value to the service, positive military history, rehabilitation potential, and other factors supporting continued military service.
Evaluate the Government’s Evidence:
Our attorneys examine reports of investigation, witness statements, military records, documentary evidence, and other information the command may use to support separation. We identify weaknesses, inconsistencies, evidentiary issues, and information that may support retention or a more favorable outcome.
Challenge Evidence and Procedural Errors:
Administrative separation proceedings provide fewer procedural protections than a court-martial. Hearsay and investigative reports may play a significant role, and the ability to compel witnesses can be limited. Our attorneys identify weaknesses in the government’s evidence and challenge procedural errors when appropriate.
Protect Your Discharge Characterization and Benefits:
When separation cannot be avoided, the characterization of discharge can become critically important. An Other Than Honorable discharge may have significant consequences involving veterans’ benefits, employment opportunities, retirement interests, and the service member’s future. Our attorneys advocate for the most favorable outcome supported by the facts and circumstances of the case.
Investigate the Allegations:
A strong administrative separation defense often requires an independent investigation. Our military defense attorneys can examine the circumstances surrounding the allegations, identify potential witnesses, gather supporting records, and develop evidence that provides the board with a more complete picture of the case.
Present Mitigation and Character Evidence:
A service member’s complete military record matters. Awards, evaluations, deployments, leadership history, character statements, rehabilitation efforts, and other mitigating evidence may help demonstrate why retention or a favorable discharge characterization is appropriate.
Military Defense Lawyers with Decades of Experience
McCormack & McCormack has represented military members facing serious criminal, disciplinary, and administrative matters since 1982. Our attorneys understand that an administrative separation proceeding can threaten far more than a service member’s current position—it can affect a military career, discharge characterization, benefits, retirement, reputation, and future employment.
Attorney Greg D. McCormack is a former U.S. Army Judge Advocate with decades of experience representing officers and enlisted service members in military criminal and administrative matters. His experience includes defending service members facing serious allegations and actions that could end their military careers.
Attorney Robert W. Canoy Jr. brings more than a decade of criminal litigation experience, including 11 years as an active-duty military Judge Advocate. He has served as both trial defense counsel and prosecutor and has handled more than 500 criminal cases, including cases involving serious allegations such as sexual assault and homicide.
Attorney Jarrett L. McCormack has extensive experience representing current and former military members in criminal defense, security clearance, disciplinary, and other military-related matters.
Our attorneys combine military law experience, courtroom advocacy, thorough preparation, and strategic defense to represent service members when their careers and futures are at stake.
Meet The Attorneys Behind Your Defense
Results Driven and
Client Focused Since 1982
Greg D. McCormack
OF COUNSEL
Greg D. McCormack is a former U.S. Army Judge Advocate with decades of experience representing military and civilian clients in complex criminal, administrative, and federal matters. Known for his aggressive courtroom advocacy, sharp cross-examination skills, and straightforward approach, Greg has successfully represented thousands of clients throughout his career and is committed to providing honest, relentless defense for every client he serves.
Jarrett L. McCormack
President
Jarrett L. McCormack focuses on criminal defense in state and federal courts, with extensive experience representing current and former military members, including cases involving security clearances and military disciplinary actions. Known for his analytical approach and aggressive courtroom advocacy, Jarrett is committed to developing the strategy that best positions each client for success.
Robert W. Canoy Jr.
Senior Attorney
Robert Canoy brings more than a decade of criminal litigation experience, including 11 years as an active-duty military Judge Advocate. He has served as both a trial defense counsel and prosecutor, handling more than 500 criminal cases ranging from minor offenses to serious charges including sexual assault and homicide. Now with McCormack & McCormack, he continues to serve as a JAG officer in the military reserves, bringing extensive courtroom and military legal experience to every case.
Drew T. Lail
ASSOCIATE Attorney
Drew T. Lail is an associate at McCormack & McCormack, representing clients in family law, criminal defense, and traffic matters. A former U.S. Navy aircraft structural mechanic and federal police officer, Drew brings firsthand military and law enforcement experience to his legal practice. He earned his J.D. from Regent University School of Law and is admitted to practice in all Virginia courts. Known for his dedicated and practical approach, Drew works to provide strong advocacy tailored to each client’s unique circumstances.
Book Mentions
Read about Greg McCormack’s representation of two wrongfully accused service members.
