MILITARY CRIMINAL DEFENSE LAWYER
Mr. Vokey is one of the most well known and prominent military lawyers in the world. He has earned a national reputation as a hard-nosed, zealous criminal defense trial attorney. A retired Lieutenant Colonel from the United States Marine Corps, he has been involved in some of the most highly publicized military cases this century. He served as the lead counsel for a Canadian teenager detained in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba and held for trial by a military commission on murder and terrorism charges. Mr. Vokey also defended the Marine squad leader accused of killing 18 people in the now infamous city of Haditha, Iraq.
Mr. Vokey served his country as a Marine Corps officer for over 20 years. He first served as an artillery officer, to include a combat tour during the first Persian Gulf War. Mr. Vokey also handled a variety of critical jobs involving sensitive or classified information. He was then selected for the highly competitive military law program. After graduating with distinction from law school, where he was also honored with selection to the Order of the Barristers, Mr. Vokey began a career as a trial lawyer. With the exception of one year spent obtaining his Masters of Law, he spent all of his time as a military judge advocate in the courtroom as either a prosecutor or defense attorney.
Mr. Vokey has tried hundreds of cases as both a prosecutor and defense counsel. As chief prosecutor for the busiest trial team in all of the Department of Defense at Camp Pendleton, California, he supervised or tried hundreds of cases. Not the one to sit on the sidelines, Mr. Vokey served as lead prosecutor for many cases to include murder, drug distribution, rape and a highly publicized bank fraud case involving the attempted theft of millions of dollars from the Federal Reserve. Mr. Vokey often worked closely with law enforcement organizations such as NCIS, FBI and military investigators during both the investigation and trial stages. As a result of his performance, he was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal by the Secretary of the Navy.
As a defense attorney, Mr. Vokey earned the reputation as an aggressive and tough advocate for his clients, both military and civilian. As the Chief of all Marine Corps defense counsel in the Western half of the United States and in Iraq, he was responsible for the defense of service members charged with a variety of crimes. Many of those cases would come out of combat actions in Iraq and Afghanistan and included numerous cases of war crimes cases against U.S. service members. Mr. Vokey personally defended numerous clients, to include those charged with murder, manslaughter, rape, sexual assault, sexual harassment, kidnapping, alcohol and drug related offenses, unauthorized absense (AWOL), orders violations, and false official statement. He constantly fought for the rights of accused servicemembers, in and out of the courtroom. Observing our men and women returning from multiple combat tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, Mr. Vokey noticed that many were suffering from post traumatic stress, combat stress, or other mental health issues. As explained in an interview with USA Today, Mr. Vokey became a strong supporter of the rights of service members who returned from combat with a variety of mental health disorders only to find themselves being kicked out of the service.
Mr. Vokey has continued representing service members in the most difficult and, sometimes, notorious cases. He has represented at trial more service members charged with war crimes and crimes originating in a combat zone than any other attorney in the country. Mr. Vokey has also handled a great number of sexual assault cases over the years. In the last three years, after the military focused on prosecuting such cases, Mr. Vokey has won trial after trial involving sexual assault, rape and similar offenses. His zealous and dogged representation of his clients is noticeable no matter the type of case, no matter the location of the court.
Recognized as an expert in military legal matters, Mr. Vokey has been asked to speak all over the United States and overseas on criminal law, international law, veterans’ rights and a variety of other topics. His speeches and presentations include those at Harvard Law School and Harvard International Legal Studies; Keynote Speaker for 2008 Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association Banquet; University of Virginia International Law Symposium; Human Rights Conference, House of Commons, London, England; Dallas Bar Association; Colorado Trial Lawyers Association; John Marshall Law School, Atlanta; Texas A&M University; Thomas Jefferson School of Law, San Diego; South Texas College of Law, Houston; University of North Dakota School of Law; Federal Bar Association, Dallas Chapter; Banyard Inns of Court, Orange County, California; San Diego Public Defenders Association; Mira Costa College, Vista, California. In addition to hundreds of television, radio, magazine and newspaper interviews in the United States and abroad and his own entry on the online Wikipedia website, Mr. Vokey has been the subject of several feature stories, such as: the segment All Things Considered on National Public Radio; Texas Aggie magazine, San Diego Union Tribune newspaper; and the Dallas Morning News.
After retiring from the Marine Corps in 2008, Mr. Vokey joined the prestigious Dallas criminal law firm of Fitzpatrick Hagood Smith & Uhl LLP, where he was made a Partner. Adding to his military and criminal justice experience, he then worked at a civil law firm, representing injured persons in personal injury cases. No matter the type of case – military, criminal or civil – Mr. Vokey brings to the courtroom a wealth of trial experience and an expertise. His trial record and reputation along with his impeccable qualifications and solid work ethic put him among the very best in the representation of injured persons and servicemembers, citizens and businesses that find themselves subject to investigation and prosecution in criminal matters.
Additionally, Mr. Vokey has served as an expert witness and consultant in military matters for both state and federal cases. His wide and varied experiences qualify him to provide expert opinion, advice and testimonial in: general military matters; strategy, tactics and operations; military administration; military benefits, separation and retirement; criminal law; military law; and government contracting and ethics.
Bar Admissions:
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- Texas
- North Dakota
- U.S. Supreme Court
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces
- U.S. Court of Appeals 5th Circuit
- U.S. District Court, Northern District of Texas
- U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Texas
- U.S. District Court, Western District of Texas
Education:
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- Graduate, Trial Lawyers College, 2010
- The Judge Advocate General’s School U.S. Army at the University of Virginia School of Law, Charlottesville, Virginia, Masters of Law (Criminal Law Specialty), 2003; Class President; Volunteer Service Award
- University of North Dakota School of Law, Grand Forks, North Dakota, 1998, J.D. with Distinction; Federal Court Scholarship Award; Moot Court Finalist, Mock Trial Team Regional Finalist, and Order of Barristers
- Texas A & M University, 1987, B.S., Political Science; Member Corps of Cadets, Naval ROTC Scholarship, Edward Beach Memorial Scholarship, and Chosin Few “Retreat Hell” Scholarship; Freshman Drill Team Leader, Student Senator, Prosecutor for Texas A&M Cadet Court
Honors, Awards, and Memberships:
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- 2007 American Bar Association’s Charles R. English Criminal Defense Lawyer of the Year
- Staff Instructor – The Trial Lawyers College, 2011-present
- Fellow – National Institute of Military Justice, Washington, D.C.
- Committee Member, Liberty and Security Committee and Committee on Policing Reforms – The Constitution Project, Washington, D.C.
- Course Director, Military Defense Counsel Trial Litigation Program – Center for American and International Law, Plano, Texas
- Member – The College of the State Bar of Texas
- Member – State Bar of Texas; Military Law Section
- Member – Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association
- Member – Texas Aggie Bar Association
- Recommended Attorney – United American Patriots
- Adjunct Professor, Political Science – Central Texas College
- Coach – Pearce High School Mock Trial Team
- Judge – Moot Court, UNT Dallas College of Law
- Judge – Mock Trial, Texas A&M University
- Order of Barristers, Awarded in 1998, Honor Society for Excellence in Courtroom Advocacy
- Lifetime Member – Veterans of Foreign Wars
- Military awards, including: the Combat Action Ribbon, the Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Navy Achievement Medal, Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, Kuwait Liberation Medal, Global War of Terrorism Service Medal, Southwest Asia Service Medal, Order of Saint Barbara and All-Marine Rugby Team
Military Education:
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- The Judge Advocate General School of the Army – The Graduate Course
- Marine Corps Command and Staff College
- Naval Justice School – The Judge Advocate Course
- Marine Corps – Amphibious Warfare School
- Marine Corps – Communications Security Material System School
- Navy – Sealed Authenticator System for Nuclear Weapons School
- Army – Field Artillery School, Honor Graduate
- Marine Corps – The Basic School, Graduated 9th out of 243
Speaking Engagements:
2017 Speaking Engagements
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- Law of Armed Conflict and Prosecutorial Ethics – Speaker, 18th Annual Conference of the Texas Aggie Bar Association, Texas A & M University, College Station, Texas – March 2017
- Real World Application of Attorney Ethics – Guest Lecturer, Texas A & M School of Law, Fort Worth, Texas – February 2017
2016 Speaking Engagements
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- Advanced Skills Training – Staff Instructor, Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, Round Top, Texas – October 2016
- Trial Skills – Staff Instructor, Three-Week College, Trial Lawyers College, Dubois, Wyoming – September 2016
- Legal Storytelling and Trial Skills – Staff Instructor, Graduate Course, Trial Lawyers College, Dubois, Wyoming – August 2016
- Military Justice – Featured Speaker, Collin County Bench Bar Conference, Dallas – April 2016
- Discovering the Story of the Case – Staff Instructor, Regional Seminar, Trial Lawyers College, Hunt, Texas – April 2016
- Cross Examination – Staff Instructor, Regional Seminar, Trial Lawyers College, San Diego – January 2016
2015 Speaking Engagements
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- Legal Storytelling and Courtroom Applications – Staff Instructor, Graduate Course, Trial Lawyers College, Dubois, Wyoming – August 2015
- Defending Sexual Assault Cases – Co-Director and Lecturer, Military Defense Counsel Trial Litigation Course, Center for American and International Law, Plano, Texas – August 2015
- Trial Skills – Staff Instructor, Three-Week College, Trial Lawyers College, Dubois, Wyoming- July 2015
- The Just War Theory – St. Ignatius College Prep, Chicago – May 2015
- Opening Statements – Staff Instructor, Regional Seminar, Trial Lawyers College, Austin – April 2015
- Trial Skills – Staff Instructor, Local Seminar, Trial Lawyers College, Dallas – March 2015
- Injustice in War Crimes Cases – United American Patriots Rally, Washington,D.C. – March 2015
- Selecting a Jury – Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, Houston – March 2015
- Voir Dire and the Jury – Staff Instructor, Regional Seminar, Trial Lawyers College, San Diego – January 2015
2014 Speaking Engagements
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- Trial Skills and Preparation – The Indiana Public Defender Council, Trial Practice Institute, Lawrenceburg, Indiana – September 2014
- Advanced Trial Skills – Staff Instructor, Graduate Course, Trial Lawyers College, Dubois, Wyoming – August 2014
- Defending Sexual Assault Cases – Co-Director and Lecturer, Military Defense Counsel Trial Litigation Course, Center for American and International Law, Plano, Texas – August 2014
- Trial Skills Training – Staff Instructor, Three-Week College, Trial Lawyers College, Dubois, Wyoming- July 2014
- Voir Dire – Staff Instructor, Regional Seminar, Trial Lawyers College, Grapevine, Texas – April 2014
- Picking a Jury – Staff Instructor, Local Seminar, Trial Lawyers College, Irving, Texas – March 2014
2013 Speaking Engagements
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- Putting Trials in Action: Witness Demonstrations – Bob Chaloupka Trial Skills Seminar, Scottsbluff – November 2013
- Defending Sexual Assault Cases – Co-Director and Lecturer, Military Defense Counsel Trial Litigation Course, Center for American and International Law, Plano, Texas – August 2013
- Trial Techniques – Staff Instructor, Three-Week College, Trial Lawyers College, Dubois, Wyoming – July 2013
- The Rule of Law “Black Hole” – State Bar College, Summer School CLE, Galveston, Texas – July 2013
- The Guantanamo Bay Update – State Bar of Texas, Bill of Rights CLE, Austin – May 2013
- Closing Arguments – Staff Instructor, Regional Seminar, Trial Lawyers College, Pottsboro, Texas – May 2013
- Modern Jury Trials – Dallas Bar Association, Judicial Committee CLE, Dallas – April 2013
- Military Justice – Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association Veterans Seminar, Southern Methodist University, University Park, Texas – February 2013
2012 Speaking Engagements
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- Psychodramatic Techniques and Discovering the Story – Staff Instructor, Three-Week College, Trial Lawyers College, Dubois, Wyoming – September 2012
- Military Defense Counsel Trial Litigation – Co-Director and Lecturer, Military Defense Counsel Trial Litigation Course, Center for American and International Law, Plano, Texas – August 2012
- You Don’t Like the Truth: Four Days Inside Guantanamo – World Affairs Council of Dallas/Ft.Worth, Dallas – June 2012
- Cross Examination Techniques – Staff Instructor, Regional Seminar, Trial Lawyers College, Roundtop, Texas – April 2012
- Discovering the Story of the Case – Staff Instructor, Regional Seminar, Trial Lawyers College, Cambria, California – January 2012
2011 Speaking Engagements
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- Persuading the Jury – Army Advanced Trial Advocacy Training, Philadelphia – September 2011
- Pretrial Investigation and Discovery – Military Defense Counsel Trial Litigation Course, Center for American and International Law, Plano, Texas – August 2011
- Defending Complex Cases – Naval Justice School, Newport, Rhode Island – July 2011
- Voir Dire – Staff Instructor, Regional Seminar, Trial Lawyers College, Roundtop, Texas – April 2011
- Reform of Military Commissions – International Law Symposium, Rutgers School of Law, Newark, New Jersey – February 2011
- Human Rights Law – Dedman School of Law, Southern Methodist University, University Park, Texas – February 2011
- Developing Case Theory – Marine Corps Defense Conference, Mirimar, California – February 2011
- Legal and Moral Issues in War – Yavneh Prep School, Dallas – January 2011
2010 Speaking Engagements
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- Military Discharge Upgrades and the Boards for Correction for Military Records – Veteran’s Law Seminar, Dedman School of Law, Southern Methodist University, University Park, Texas – November 2010
- Courts-Martial and Modern War Crimes – Mac Taylor Inn of Court, Dallas – October 2010
- War Crimes: Hamdania and Haditha – State Bar of Texas, Military Law Section, New Braunfels, Texas – October 2010
- The Future of Guantanamo Bay: Where Do We (And the Detainees) Go From Here? – State Bar of Texas Annual Meeting, Ft.Worth – June 2010
- Guantanamo Bay and the Golden Rule – State Bar of Texas, Bill of Rights CLE, Austin – May 2010
- War Crimes Comparison: Haditha Versus Guantanamo – Yavneh Prep School, Dallas – January 2010
2009 Speaking Engagements
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- Lessons from Guantanamo – Rockwall County Bar Association, Rockwall, Texas – November 2009
- Rules of Engagement in Iraq and Afghanistan – Knights of Colombus, Dallas – October 2009
- War Crimes and the Golden Rule – St. Ignatius Prep, Chicago – October 2009
- Marine Corps War Crimes – Metroplex Marines Association, Dallas – September 2009
- Lawyers and the Rule of Law – State Bar of Texas, Bill of Rights CLE, Houston – May 2009
- The Use of Media in High Visibility Cases – Naval Justice School, Newport, Rhode Island – May 2009
- Human Rights Workshop – University of California Davis – January 2009
2008 Speaking Engagements
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- Lawyers are the Key to Freedom: Guantanamo to Iraq – North Dakota School of Law, Grand Forks – October 2008
- How 9/11 Has Changed the Practice of Law – Dallas Federal Bar Association CLE, Dallas – September 2008
- PTSD Among Servicemembers and Defending Military Cases – Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association Banquet, Keynote Speaker, Houston May 2008
- War Crimes – Harvard Law School, Boston – April 2008
- Military Trials and Rules of Evidence – Thomas Jefferson School of Law, San Diego – March 2008
- Defending a Detainee at Guantanamo Bay, Colorado Trial Lawyers Association Annual CLE, Denver – January 2008
2007 Speaking Engagements
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- Haditha, Iraq: Lessons Learned from Marines Charged with War Crimes – Texas A&M University Featured Speaker, College Station – September 2007
- Pacific Region Trial Advocacy Training, Hawaii/Okinawa, Japan – May 2007
- Legality of Guantanamo Bay Detentions – British Human Rights Conference, House of Commons, London – March 2007
- The U.S. Interpretation of International Law in the Global War on Terror – University of Virginia School of Law -February 2007
- Interrogations and the Law of War – Mira Costa College, Vista, California – February 2007
- Western Region Trial Advocacy Training, San Diego – February 2007
2006 Speaking Engagements
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- Military Commissions and Tribunals – Banyard Inn of Court, Orange County, California – December 2006
- Issues of International Law – University of Virginia International Studies Conference, Charlottesville – November 2006
- Cross Examination and Closing Argument with Gerry Spence – Camp Pendleton,California – October 2006
- East Coast Trial Advocacy Training, North Carolina – September 2006
- Defending an Accused Terrorist at Guantanamo Bay – Dallas Bar Association CLE, Dallas – July 2006
- Pacific Region Trial Advocacy Training, Hawaii/Okinawa, Japan – May 2006
- Human Rights Law – John Marshall Law School, Atlanta – April 2006
- Western Region Trial Advocacy Training, San Diego – February 2006