If you are an active-duty service member at Fort Bragg facing a court-martial, criminal investigation, administrative separation, or Article 15, you need a military defense attorney who understands the stakes. Steven J. Goralski — a former Marine Corps Major with over 11 years of active-duty service — defends soldiers, Marines, airmen, and sailors in Fayetteville, North Carolina and installations worldwide.
Military Defense Litigator LLC represents service members in Fayetteville and at Fort Bragg across the full range of military justice proceedings. Whether you are under investigation, facing nonjudicial punishment, or charged at a general court-martial, we bring trial-tested experience to every case.
A court-martial is a criminal trial under the UCMJ. A conviction creates a permanent federal criminal record, may result in imprisonment and a punitive discharge, and can end your military career. We defend service members at Fort Bragg facing summary, special, and general courts-martial for charges including sexual assault, drug offenses, assault, fraud, desertion, and conduct unbecoming. Attorney Goralski has tried court martial cases across three military branches (USMC, USA, USAF) and understands the procedural and evidentiary rules unique to military courts.
An Article 15 allows your commander to impose punishment without a court-martial. Penalties may include reduction in rank, forfeiture of pay, extra duty, and restriction. While an Article 15 is considered "nonjudicial," the consequences are serious — loss of rank directly reduces your pay and retirement benefits. You have the right to consult with a lawyer before accepting or turning down an Article 15, and we can advise you on the best course of action based on the specific allegations and evidence.
An administrative separation (Chapter) can remove you from the military with a discharge characterization that affects your veterans' benefits, education benefits, and civilian employment for the rest of your life. If you have six or more years of service, you are typically entitled to a hearing before a board of officers. We represent service members at separation boards at Fort Bragg and fight to retain your service or secure the most favorable discharge characterization possible.
If the Army Criminal Investigation Division (CID), Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS), or Air Force Office of Special Investigations (AFOSI) contacts you, it is essential to speak with a military defense attorney before making any statement. You have the right to remain silent under Article 31 of the UCMJ. Early intervention by an experienced attorney can shape the direction of an investigation and, in many cases, prevent charges from being preferred at all.
If you were separated from the military with a General (Under Honorable Conditions) or Other Than Honorable discharge, you may be eligible to apply for a discharge upgrade through the Discharge Review Board (DRB) or the Board for Correction of Military Records (BCMR). An upgrade can restore access to VA healthcare, GI Bill education benefits, and other entitlements. We help veterans prepare and present compelling applications for discharge upgrades.
A positive urinalysis result can trigger separation proceedings, nonjudicial punishment, or court-martial charges. However, drug testing is not infallible. We examine the chain of custody, laboratory procedures, testing thresholds, and potential sources of innocent ingestion to build the strongest possible defense. If you have tested positive on a military drug test at Fort Bragg, contact us immediately.
Steven J. Goralski is a seasoned military defense attorney who has spent his career defending service members facing the most serious allegations under the Uniform Code of Military Justice. He served more than 11 years on active duty in the United States Marine Corps, reaching the rank of Major, before dedicating his practice entirely to military defense.
During his active-duty career, Mr. Goralski spent several years as a defense counsel in the criminal defense office at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune — one of the busiest defense offices in the Marine Corps. He represented Marines and sailors at administrative separation boards, special courts-martial, and general courts-martial, frequently securing acquittals, charge dismissals, and other favorable outcomes for his clients.
Mr. Goralski also served as Deputy Staff Judge Advocate to the Commanding General of Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, where he advised on UCMJ matters, administrative military law, and Marine Corps and Department of Defense regulations. In that role, he participated as a voting member in the weekly Family Advocacy Program Incident Determination Committee. He brings additional experience as a Trial Defense Service (TDS) attorney and as a brigade judge advocate.
Over the course of his career, Mr. Goralski has counseled hundreds of service members facing criminal investigations, adverse administrative actions, and disciplinary proceedings. He understands the military justice system from the inside — the command climate, the pressure on commanders, and the tactics used by military prosecutors — and he uses that knowledge to fight for the best possible result in every case.
Military Defense Litigator LLC serves service members at Fort Bragg (Fort Bragg) in Fayetteville, NC, Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune in Jacksonville, NC, and installations throughout the continental United States and worldwide.
Fort Bragg — formerly known as Fort Bragg and briefly as Fort Liberty — is one of the largest military installations in the world. Located in Fayetteville, North Carolina, it spans more than 250 square miles across six counties and is home to over 50,000 active-duty service members, along with thousands of civilian employees, contractors, and military family members.
The installation serves as the headquarters for some of the Army's most prominent commands, including the XVIII Airborne Corps, U.S. Army Forces Command (FORSCOM), and U.S. Army Special Operations Command (USASOC). The high operational tempo and demanding standards at Fort Bragg mean that service members face intense scrutiny — and when allegations arise, commands often pursue the harshest available disciplinary action.
Military Defense Litigator LLC understands the command climate at Fort Bragg. We know how investigations are conducted, how military prosecutors build their cases, and how separation boards and courts-martial proceedings operate at this installation. If you are a service member at Fort Bragg facing any form of military legal action, we are ready to defend you.
Call us or book an appointment online. We will review the facts of your case, explain your rights under the UCMJ, and provide an honest assessment of your options — at no cost and with complete confidentiality.
We gather evidence, review discovery materials, identify witnesses, and analyze the government's case. Early and thorough preparation is the foundation of every successful military defense.
Whether your case calls for aggressive trial advocacy, skilled negotiation, or challenging the government's evidence and procedures, we develop a defense strategy tailored to your situation and goals.
We fight for the best possible outcome — acquittal, charge dismissal, favorable plea terms, retention of service, or an honorable discharge characterization. Your career, your benefits, and your future are on the line.
"He not only got me my freedom, but he beat the prosecution and their resources by huge margins. This is one lawyer I want in my corner representing me, and I had the distinct pleasure of his legal counsel and expertise."— Brandon G., Service Member
"I couldn't have asked for a better lawyer for my case! He really brought it to my command hard with facts stated in Marine Corps orders. Thanks Steven!"— Trey, U.S. Marine
"He did everything he could have done for me. In the end I served no jail time and I was able to finish out my enlistment."— T. Washington, Service Member