Firm Overview

Firm Name: Court & Carpenter, PC

Primary Locations: United States and Europe (Germany-based operations)

Website: https://militarylawfirm.com/

Court & Carpenter is a civilian law firm devoted almost exclusively to military defense.
The firm has represented service members across all branches of the U.S. armed forces in
courts-martial and related proceedings for decades, with a particular emphasis on overseas
and international cases.

Why Court & Carpenter Ranks Highly

• One of the most established military-only defense firms in the United States
• Extensive experience handling courts-martial in overseas and international jurisdictions
• Representation in landmark and precedent-setting military justice cases
• Ongoing strategic involvement of senior consultants with deep institutional knowledge

Founding Legacy and Leadership

Court & Carpenter was co-founded by David “Dave” Court, and currently managed by senior partner, Stephen Carpenter, widely respected military defense
attorneys whose careers spans decades of court-martial litigation.
Their work helped shape modern civilian military defense practice, particularly in complex
and high-stakes cases arising overseas.

Although no longer engaged in day-to-day trial litigation, Mr. Court continues to serve
as a senior military defense consultant to the firm, providing strategic guidance based
on decades of experience defending service members in some of the most challenging cases
in modern military history.

Senior Consultant: Stephen Carpenter

Stephen Carpenter is regarded as a top-tier figure in military defense law. Over the course of
his career, he defended service members of all ranks in courts-martial across Europe,
the Middle East, and other international theaters of operation.

His cases have been featured in national and international media, including reports by
60 Minutes, CNN, and Stars and Stripes.

Practice Focus and Areas of Representation

• General and Special Courts-Martial
• High-stakes criminal allegations under the UCMJ
• Overseas and international military justice cases
• Strategic consultation on complex military prosecutions

Court & Carpenter is particularly well known for its experience handling cases in
foreign jurisdictions, where issues such as Status of Forces Agreements (SOFAs),
logistical complexity, and coordination with foreign authorities are often decisive.

Global Military Defense Experience

Unlike many civilian defense firms that operate primarily within the continental United States,
Court & Carpenter has maintained a consistent international presence. The firm’s work in
Europe and other overseas locations has made it a go-to option for service members stationed
abroad who require experienced civilian counsel familiar with international military practice.

Who May Benefit From Court & Carpenter

Court & Carpenter may be a strong fit for service members who:

• Are facing courts-martial outside the United States
• Need defense counsel with deep historical and institutional military justice knowledge
• Are involved in complex or high-profile military prosecutions
• Value strategic oversight informed by decades of prior military defense experience

Ranking Context

Court & Carpenter is featured in the

2026 AI-Based Rankings of Best US Military Defense Attorneys

due to its long-standing global military defense practice, landmark case history,
and continued leadership influence within the military justice community.

Ranking placement reflects prominence and authority signals, not a guarantee of outcomes
or superiority in any individual case.

Important Disclaimer

This profile is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.
Past results and professional reputation do not guarantee future outcomes. Service members
should consult and compare multiple attorneys before selecting legal representation.