Who is your rep when you need legal advice?

  • Published
  • By Jennifer Brugman
  • 60th AMW Public Affairs
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  When Airmen are in trouble and don’t know where to turn, the Area Defense Council provides a port in any legal storm. 

The ADC has two lawyers available to provide Travis Airmen with legal advice on any topic, ranging from letters of council to Article 15s and even court-martials.
“A lot of [Airmen] don’t know they have the right to consult with a detailed military defense attorney free of charge if they’re in trouble,” said Capt. Hugh McClean, Area Defense Council/ Air Force Legal Services Agency. Captain McClean is a graduate of Case Western Reserve School of Law in Cleveland, Ohio. 

“[We] counsel [Airmen] to assure they know their rights,” said Capt. Corey Fullmer, ADC and a graduate of the Thomas Cooley Law School in Lansing, Mich. “[We] help them respond to adverse administrative paperwork, interpret instructions and offer them representation when facing criminal charges under the Uniform Code of Military Justice.”

The lawyers at the ADC can help Airmen with all adverse actions even before paperwork is filed. 

“The earlier they come in the better,” said Captain McClean, who was a public defender in Cleveland, Ohio, before joining the Air Force two years ago. “They should come in if they think they are in trouble. We should be the first stop.” 

The Area Defense Counsel is the only other organization on base besides the chaplain that can offer Airmen complete confidentiality. 

“Sometimes, the Airmen don’t know who to talk to about an administration problem,” Captain Fullmer said. Captain Fullmer worked at a law firm in Salt Lake City, Utah, prior to joining the Air Force more than four years ago. 

“Many times, the shirts tell them to come to us,” Captain Fullmer said. “We welcome that. In the end, everyone wants to help the troops and this includes providing them with good legal advice.” 

They also brief first-term Airmen and Travis newcomers on their Article 31 rights, which are similar to civilian Miranda rights. 

“We see similar cases to the civilian community,” Captain Fullmer said. “If you think you may need to see the ADC, you should call and come see us and we can tell you [whether or not] you need continued assistance or representation.” 

For more information on the ADC, call 424-4569.