LtCol Gary S. Barthel, USMC, Ret.
Expert Legal Analyst:
Military & Civilian Legal Systems
Advisor • Contributor • Consultant
LtCol Gary S. Barthel, USMC, Ret.
Legal Analyst:
Military & Civilian Legal Systems
Advisor • Contributor • Consultant
Lieutenant Colonel Gary S. Barthel, USMC, Retired, enlisted with the United States Marine Corps in 1975. He served as a Mustang Marine officer and Judge Advocate and earned his master’s in military law. Upon retirement, he worked as a civilian / military attorney before launching the Military Law Center. For the past 36 years Mr. Barthel has continued to serve his country by practicing Military Law for Servicemembers and veterans.
As an enlisted Marine, Barthel received multiple meritorious promotions and earned several awards and high accreditations. He was selected to serve with the United States Department of State serving at the United States Embassies in Tanzania and Greece where he was responsible for the protection of classified material and the protection of the U.S. Ambassador and other diplomats. Barthel was also worked with the Secret Service in providing personal protection to the United States Secretary of State and the United States Ambassador to the United Nations.
Following an Honorable discharge in 1979, Gary continued to pursue his education. Inspired by his experience, he obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in Russian Area Studies and Law. While in law school, terrorists bombed the Marine Barracks in Beirut, Lebanon. The event prompted him to return to the Marine Corps as a “Mustang” Marine Corps Officer and judge advocate after completing law school. Barthel was selected to the Judge Advocate General’s School, U.S. Army, co-located at the University of Virginia, Law School where he completed a master’s in law degree in Military Law.
Lieutenant Colonel Gary S. Barthel’s billets include serving as a prosecutor with the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Senior Defense Counsel at Camp Pendleton, and Staff Judge Advocate at Marine Corps Base, Camp Pendleton, and Marine Corps Air Station, Miramar. As a “Mustang” Marine Officer and judge advocate, his prior experiences set him apart from his peers and were invaluable when advising Commanding Officers and Commanding Generals. Establishing a twenty-year career with the U.S. Marine Corps was the foundation of his military legal experience.
Gary retired from the Marine Corps in 2003. He joined one of the most prestigious law firms in San Diego – Higgs Fletcher & Mack LLP. As partner at Higgs, Fletcher & Mack, Gary continued to focus his practice on defending military clients in court-martials, military administrative hearings, and in the state and federal criminal courts.
In 2013, Gary started his own law firm and founded the Military Law Center. Here, Mr. Barthel continues to represent Servicemembers and veterans before military and civilian tribunals. Barthel’s qualifications and experience in both military and civilian courts exceed most practicing attorneys. His education and experience command the two different court systems with a legal authority that is qualified and unmatched in our nation.
Gary S. Barthel is considered a leading national military law attorney who is frequently called upon for his legal contributions. Because of his knowledge and insight into military issues and his unique ability to bridge the gap between the civilian legal system and military legal system, Gary is frequently called upon by the media and for keynote speaking engagements.
Mr. Barthel is based in San Diego, where he provides legal services for military servicemembers and veterans. Gary founded the Military Law Center as a resource for Servicemembers, veterans, and their families. Gary represents military and veteran clients from all branches of the United States Military, standing before military tribunals – worldwide. He also represents military and veteran clients in criminal cases in the state and federal courts of California.
excellent demeanor
aggressive when needed
compassionate when warranted.
Consulting
Former U.S. Marine Corps officer, LtCol Gary S. Barthel, USMC Retired, is renowned for his knowledge and experience in military law and litigation. Throughout Mr. Barthel’s Marine Corps career he gained extensive litigation experience as a Federal Prosecutor and criminal defense attorney. As a Staff Judge Advocate (general counsel) to Commanding Generals and Commanding Officers, Mr. Barthel was responsible for providing legal advice on a variety of legal issues including criminal investigations, criminal trials and disciplinary cases, administrative separation boards, civil claims including death investigations, personal injury and property damage claims made against the government, Standards of Conduct and government ethics, including the outside practice of law, post-government service employment restrictions, interaction with non-federal entities, and the permissible use of government assets and personnel, and issues related to DoD civilian employees. Gary was also responsible for the management of a command law office and was responsible for the direct supervision and training of 20 military attorneys and 40 support staff.
His criminal litigation experience includes numerous jury trials for a variety of offenses including capital murder, homicides, rape, assaults, domestic violence, fraud, drug offenses, and DUI’s. Moreover, while serving with the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Alexandria, Virginia, Mr. Barthel gained appellate litigation experience briefing and arguing cases before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit. While on active-duty Mr. Barthel also gained extensive experience in a variety of military administrative hearings to include the Physical Evaluation Board where he represented military clients who disputed their military medical disability ratings.
Gary’s Experience can be
Put to Work for You:
- 20 Years Active-Duty Service in the U.S. Marine Corps
- Former Marine Corps Judge Advocate
- Former Federal Prosecutor – U.S. Attorney’s Office
- Served with U.S. Department of State
- U.S. Embassies: Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania and Athens, Greece
- Secret Service Detail for the U.S. Secretary of State
- Secret Service Detail United States Ambassador to the United Nations
Expert Witness
LtCol Gary S. Barthel, USMC Retired, provides support as a civilian military criminal justice consultant and expert witness. Mr. Barthel’s unmatched experience in both military and civilian criminal matters qualifies him to provide a bridge between the military and civilian court systems. If you are seeking a civilian military law consultant or expert witness to thoroughly research, review discovery and provide case analysis, contact Mr. Barthel’s office today to discuss your needs.
Training Programs
LtCol Gary S. Barthel, USMC Retired is available to provide classes and training programs on or off base. Mr. Barthel has been a guest lecturer at the Naval Justice School in Newport, Rhode Island and is frequently asked to be an instructor at various legal courses for Navy and Marine Corps judge advocates. If you need a speaker who has proven knowledge and experience in civilian and military legal issues, contact Mr. Barthel’s office today.
Media Appearances
LtCol Gary S. Barthel, USMC Retired is a San Diego-based military attorney dedicated to the worldwide representation of the men and women who serve or who have served in the United States Armed Forces. Mr. Barthel is available to speak, upon request, for keynote engagements at bar association meetings, military and veteran functions, and civilian meetings and other events that pertain to military and veteran legal matters.
honest and forthright
compassionate as we struggled
to understand the charges.
Gary Barthel in the Media
Gary S. Barthel is a wealth of knowledge in military law and provides insight for the media. As a former Marine Corps judge advocate and Staff Judge Advocate at multiple U.S. Marine Corps bases Gary is often called upon for his expertise. Mr. Barthel is a practicing attorney with extensive litigation experience as a federal prosecutor and as a military and civilian criminal defense attorney with jury trial experience in a variety of cases including capital murder, homicides, rape, assaults, drug offenses, and fraud. Mr. Barthel is available to schedule interviews as well as appearances upon request. Here are a few of his media appearances:
“Gary’s experience provides high-ranking advice about national issues when journalists’ need fast answers to military and civilian legal issues.”
KPBS: Military silent about why senior enlisted Marine was arrested and sent to the brig
NBC News San Diego: Hundreds of San Diego-area Marines accused of defrauding federal government
NBC 7’s Dana Williams: Camp Pendleton Marine referred to court-martial in teen sex assault case
watching Barthel in Court
is tantamount to attending
a masters class in trial advocacy.
Featured Articles
Military.com
Drew F. Lawrence, October 1, 2024
Marine Recruiter Who Wrote ‘Memoir’ About Teenage Recruit Sentenced to Prison
“That’s what kind of adds to the problem,” Barthel said. “You’ve got commanding officers who are not attorneys or prosecutors, who are trying to make decisions on cases like this,” unlike the civilian sector with authorities such as a district attorney.
Daily Caller
Katelynn Richardson, September 21, 2024
‘Too Late In The Game’: Defense Secretary’s Last-Minute Decision To Toss 9/11 Plea Deal Likely To Be Rejected By Judge
Once the convening authority approves an agreement worked out by the parties, it is generally considered a “done deal.” Austin could have withheld the case from her authority earlier and brought it to his level to handle issues himself, Barthel said, but instead he just “issued an edict that said these plea agreements are improper.”
GBH News
Saraya Wintersmith, May 15, 2024
Pentagon leaker Teixeira could face new military charges after Tuesday hearing
“The command[ing officer] is free to charge him with other offenses that he was not charged with in federal district court,” said Gary Barthel, an attorney and founder of the Military Law Center, a firm that specializes in military cases.
quick on his feet, and spoke in plain English
made it easy for the jury to warm to the defense
Contact Gary S. Barthel
Gary Barthel’s extensive background in both the military and civilian legal systems qualifies him as one of the best military legal consultant/expert witnesses, particularly in cases where the complexities of both systems intersect. His unique ability to bridge these two legal systems allows him to provide critical insights and informed perspectives that are essential for navigating any case with military issues associated with it. If you are seeking a military consultant/expert, professional training or strategic counsel on matters involving a military issue, Gary Barthel is available to assist you.
Located in San Diego, California, Gary Barthel continues to offer his consulting and expert services to legal professionals and media outlets around the country and around the world. For more information or to schedule an interview, please reach out below: