Practice Areas

img9Mr. Berens primarily practices as a Military Defense Attorney in federal military courts. He represents service members facing court-martial for alleged violations of the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ), non-judicial punishment under Article 15, UCMJ, administrative separation and other adverse actions. Mr. Berens accepts and has represented clients from all branches of the military – Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps and Navy. Mr. Berens is is admitted to practice in Washington State Courts, the United States District Court – Western District of Washington, and the Supreme Court of the United States. Mr. Berens has extensive military justice experience and offers a perspective that can be matched by very few other Military Defense Attorneys.

Administrative Separation

Service members facing administrative separation for alleged misconduct or lack of adherence to regulations have rights. When certain criteria are met, service members may be entitled to an administrative hearing before a panel of officers appointed to make a recommendation to the separation authority. Service members facing administrative separation against their will or the possibility...

Civilian Criminal Jurisdictions

Mr. Berens is admitted to practice and prepared to represent service members and civilians facing criminal proceedings in all courts in the State of Washington and the United States District Court – Western District of Washington. Service members stationed at installations in the State of Washington may be subject to the jurisdiction of Washington Courts...

Civil Litigation and Claims

Mr. Berens and his law partners at Bailey|Onsager PC routinely engage in civil litigation in Washington State and Federal Courts on behalf of plaintiffs.  Recent favorable outcomes include prevailing in civil suits for: wrongful death on behalf of the estate of a Soldier killed in a shooting near Joint Base Lewis-McChord; medical malpractice against a...

General & Special Courts-Martial

Service members facing court-martial charges in a General or Special Court-Martial forum are facing very serious and often life-long consequences. A court-martial presents far more than a threat to a service member’s military career. Court-martial charges may result in an adverse military service characterization, the loss of one’s liberty and freedom in the form of...

Other Adverse Actions

Adverse Administrative Actions Service members and civilian employees may face adverse administrative actions based on alleged misconduct that does not warrant a court-martial in the eyes of command and servicing legal staff. Some of those adverse actions and forums include: Federal Employment Merit Systems Protection Board Cases General Officer Memorandums of Reprimand (GOMOR) Flying Evaluation...

Ratings and Reviews

Amazing Lawyer

Mr. Berens is the best lawyer I have had the pleasure of working with. The military came down hard on me and he was there every step of the way to help me out with whatever I needed. Don’t think I would of been treated as well or got what I did without his direct…

- (5 star review)

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