He knows how government cases are built.
More than two years as an Army trial counsel informs how he evaluates allegations, proof problems, witness accounts, and likely command theories.
Army administrative defense — direct comparison
Why Soldiers choose Blake Kamoroff for Army administrative defense
Compared with TDS, Legal Assistance, and broad military-defense firms, Blake offers a deliberately different model: Army-first focus, direct access to him, an agreed scope that can begin during an investigation, and experience as a prosecutor, trial defense counsel, Senior Defense Counsel, and civilian military defense counsel.
TDS and Legal Assistance are valuable no-cost services. The question is whether their available scope, assigned counsel, and timing match what your case requires.
2+ yearsArmy trial counsel
2 yearsTrial defense counsel
2 yearsSenior Defense Counsel
5+ yearsCivilian military defense counsel
Compare the actual service models
What changes when you hire Blake?
This is not a claim that every government or civilian attorney is the same. It is a direct comparison of how the options ordinarily differ—and why Blake may be the stronger fit for an Army investigation or administrative action.
| What matters | Blake / UCMJ.Law | TDS | Legal Assistance | Broad civilian firm |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Core focus | Army investigations and administrative defenseA deliberately small practice centered on GOMORs, Article 15s, investigations, evaluations, flags, bars, QMP matters, separations, and eliminations. | Army defense services delivered under TDS mission, priority, assignment, and resource rules. | A broad personal-legal and military-administrative program covering many unrelated legal needs. | Varies. Many emphasize multi-branch court-martial and criminal defense. |
| Investigation stage | Representation can begin nowThe written scope may include ongoing strategy, evidence development, counsel contact, and preparation for likely follow-on action. | Under the current USATDS SOP, investigation-only matters are generally Priority III. TDS ordinarily provides a rights advisement and tells the Soldier to return if the command later initiates an eligible adverse action. | AR 27-3 assigns some investigation and administrative matters to Legal Assistance, with coordination when punitive action is likely. | Depends on the lawyer’s practice and the written engagement. |
| Who handles the work | Blake personallyThe lawyer whose experience you reviewed assesses the matter, develops the strategy, and handles the covered work. | Counsel is assigned through TDS; experience varies by the lawyer assigned. | Counsel is assigned through the servicing office; the attorney may be in a first JAG assignment. | May be the named lawyer, a team, or another attorney within the firm. |
| Relevant background | Four perspectives in one lawyerFormer prosecutor, trial defense counsel, Senior Defense Counsel, and more than five years as civilian military defense counsel. | A TDS attorney may be in a first defense assignment. Some previously served as trial counsel or military-justice advisors; others did not. | Experience varies. Legal Assistance can be a first assignment for a new judge advocate. | Military background, administrative focus, supervision, and delegation vary by lawyer and firm. |
| Client access | Direct cell, text, and emailRepresented clients communicate directly with Blake about the covered matter. | Communication depends on assigned counsel, office procedures, competing priorities, and workload. | Communication depends on the servicing office, appointments, procedures, and workload. | Depends on the firm’s staffing and communication model. |
| Independence and scope | Private counsel under an agreed scopeThe engagement defines the work Blake is retained to perform. | Independent from the local command, but operating within the Army TDS mission, SOP, priorities, and authorized services. | An Army program governed by AR 27-3, official-duty limits, and office resources. | Private counsel; scope and staffing depend on the engagement. |
| Cost | Paid, generally flat-feeThe scope and fee are defined before representation begins. | No cost to the Soldier. | No cost to eligible clients. | Varies by firm and matter. |
Important context: TDS and Legal Assistance provide valuable no-cost services, and individual Army lawyers may be highly experienced. Availability, priorities, assigned counsel, and authorized scope vary. TDS may provide additional investigation-stage services when required or authorized, and local implementation can vary. The TDS comparison above concerns the ordinary handling of an investigation-only Priority III matter—not every investigation or every TDS office.
A practical hiring decision
Blake may be the better fit when you want more than the option currently available through an Army legal office.
Consider hiring Blake when:
- Your matter is an Army investigation, GOMOR, Article 15, evaluation, Article 138 complaint, flag, bar, QMP issue, separation risk, or officer-elimination risk.
- You want the same experienced lawyer to assess the problem, develop the strategy, review the evidence, and communicate with you.
- You want an agreed investigation-stage scope rather than only a rights consultation.
- You value a lawyer who has prosecuted cases, defended Soldiers, supervised defense counsel, and represented clients independently as civilian counsel.
- You want direct access by cell, text, and email.
- The matter may require advocacy or evaluation of a related claim outside a government legal office’s authorized scope.
When a no-cost Army option may be enough
Hiring civilian counsel is not necessary or appropriate in every case. TDS or Legal Assistance may be the right choice when the office can provide the service you need, the assigned lawyer has the necessary time and experience, and you are comfortable with the available scope.
The decision should account for the actual matter, deadline, available government counsel, proposed civilian scope, and cost.
Ask Blake About Your MatterWhy the investigation stage matters
TDS generally does not open full representation merely because a Soldier is under investigation.
Under the current USATDS SOP, an investigation-only matter is generally Priority III. The ordinary service at that stage is a confidential rights advisement, followed by direction to return if the command later pursues an adverse action eligible for TDS services.
Blake’s retained scope can begin during the investigation. Depending on the engagement, that may include assessing allegations, advising on contact with investigators or command, preserving and developing evidence, communicating as counsel, and preparing for foreseeable administrative action.
TDS is independent from the local command—but it is still an Army service.
TDS operates through its own supervisory chain. Its mission, case priorities, assignments, authorized services, and resources are nevertheless governed by law, regulation, and TDS policy.
Legal Assistance handles many matters outside TDS’s ordinary scope.
That can include investigations, evaluations, unfavorable information, and Article 138 matters. Some Legal Assistance attorneys are highly experienced; others may be serving in a first JAG assignment.
Blake worked in TDS for four years. This description addresses the ordinary Priority III service model reflected in the current SOP. It does not suggest that TDS attorneys lack skill or that every office handles every investigation identically.
Experience designed for this work
Blake’s advantage is not a former title by itself. It is the combination of roles he brings to one client’s problem.
He has defended Soldiers directly.
Two years as a trial defense counsel supplied hands-on experience advising clients, testing government evidence, and building defense strategy.
He has led and supervised defense counsel.
Two years as a Senior Defense Counsel added responsibility for defense strategy, attorney development, and difficult military-justice decisions.
He has represented clients independently for more than five years.
Civilian practice adds a client-selected, written scope and the ability to evaluate work beyond an Army legal office’s authorized service model.
Administrative defense is not secondary work here.
Army investigations and administrative actions are the center of UCMJ.Law’s practice—not an add-on to a multi-branch court-martial practice.
You are not passed to a junior attorney.
When Blake accepts the representation, represented clients receive his direct cell number and email and may call, text, or email about the covered matter.
Direct answers
Questions Soldiers ask when comparing counsel
Is Blake claiming to be the best military lawyer for every case?
No. Blake’s practice is designed for Army investigations and administrative defense. A different lawyer may be a better fit for another branch, a large court-martial team, a matter outside Blake’s licensure or competence, or a service Blake does not offer.
Why hire Blake if TDS or Legal Assistance is free?
You may hire Blake for a broader or earlier written scope, his particular combination of prosecution, defense, supervision, and civilian experience, direct access to him, or work outside a government office’s authorized services. Cost remains a real consideration, and no-cost counsel may be sufficient in some cases.
Does TDS represent Soldiers during investigations?
Under the current USATDS SOP, investigation-only matters are generally Priority III. TDS ordinarily provides a rights advisement and directs the Soldier to return if an eligible adverse action follows. TDS may provide more when required or authorized, and local implementation can vary.
Will Blake personally handle my matter?
Yes. If Blake accepts the representation, he personally handles the covered legal work and communicates directly with the client. The exact services are defined in the written representation agreement.
Does hiring Blake guarantee a better outcome?
No lawyer can ethically guarantee a result. Hiring Blake changes the lawyer, experience, access, and agreed scope available to you—not the evidence, decision-maker, governing rules, or uncertainty inherent in the process.
Free consultation
Find out whether Blake’s service model is a better fit for your Army matter.
Send the type of matter, your rank and duty station, the deadline, and the documents showing what decision you face. Blake can tell you whether the matter fits his practice and what scope may be available.