Stephen H. Carpenter Jr., LL.M., (Georgetown Law 2023) is recognized as a expert in military law. Mr. Carpenter has distinguished himself as a managing attorney at Court & Carpenter. Since joining the firm in 2008, he has dedicated himself to representing military personnel in administrative separation boards and other legal matters that do not rise to the level of court-martial. His work primarily involves defending clients against general officer memorandum reprimands and other forms of military discipline that can adversely affect their careers and retirement prospects.Â
In addition to his work at Court & Carpenter, Mr. Carpenter serves as the Chair of the Legal Assistance to Military Personnel (LAMP) Section at the Washington State Bar Association. This role underscores his ongoing commitment to providing legal assistance to military personnel, further establishing his expertise and dedication to this unique area of law. His involvement with LAMP complements his professional practice by allowing him to contribute to policy discussions and support services that benefit military members and their families.
Mr. Carpenter also shared his knowledge and experience with aspiring lawyers as an adjunct law professor at the University of Washington School of Law from 2006 to 2008. In this capacity, he taught trial advocacy, drawing on his extensive background in litigation to prepare students for successful careers in law. Prior to this academic appointment, he served as an assistant attorney general prosecutor with the Washington State Attorney General's Office from 2005 to 2007, where he honed his skills in prosecution and developed a comprehensive understanding of state law.
Prior to his work in the civilian sector, Mr. Carpenter began his career as a member of the Judge Advocate General Corps in Germany, serving with the U.S. Army from 1998 to 2004. This foundational experience provided Carpenter with a solid grounding in military law and procedure, setting the stage for his subsequent focus on defending military personnel.
Mr. Carpenter's academic achievements also played a significant role in shaping his career. Initially earning a Bachelor of Arts in foreign affairs at the University of Virginia in 1990, he went on to attain a Doctor of Jurisprudence at the University of Oregon in 1995 and a Master of Laws in National Security Law at the Georgetown University Law Center. His recent completion of an LLM degree at the age of 56, despite COVID-related delays, highlights his commitment to continuous learning and professional development.
Carpenter's interest in artificial intelligence and its intersection with the law was furthered during his coursework at Georgetown. Outside of his professional life, Mr. Carpenter enjoys snow skiing, golf, tennis, and traveling. Looking ahead, he has set ambitious goals for himself, involving the exploration of artificial intelligence's various permutations and its implications across multiple disciplines. Mr. Carpenter plans to delve into writing and potentially create podcasts on AI and its interrelationships, driven by a curiosity about complex systems and the importance of asking the right questions.
Additional Instructions Prior Courts-Martial Results/Appeals:
United States v. Buirch, ARMY 20240819 (Not Guilty of all Charges, to include, rape, abusive sexual contact, aggravated assault)(NG/JA)
United States v. Odahprado, ARMY 20220200 (appellate court reverses court-martial conviction because military judge failed to appoint expert pathologist demanded by the defense)(Mr. Carpenter was accused's trial attorney)
United States v. Carpenter, 77 M.J. 285 (mistake of fact as to age) (accused's appellate counsel)
United States v. Cooley, 75 M.J. 247 (trial counsel) (raised Article 10, UCMJ, conviction reversed on appeal)(accused's appellate counsel)
United States v. Riesbeck, 77 M.J. 154 (trial counsel)(jury packing case, conviction reversed on appeal)(accused's trial attorney)
United States v. Hollingsworthmata, 72 M.J. 619 (ACCA appellate counsel)(MRE 606(b) case)(accused's appellate counsel)
United States v. Khan, 2019 CCA LEXIS 364 (ACCA appellate lawyer)(IAC raised)(accused's appellate lawyer)
United States v. Reynolds, 2015 CCA LEXIS 534 (USN appellate lawyer)(IAC raised)(accused's appellate lawyer)
United States v. Price, 2014 CCA LEXIS 256 (prosecutorial misconduct raised)(accused's appellate counsel)
Daniels v. Davis, 2008 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 84259 (AAG)(appeal dismissed)(prosecutor)
United States v. Daly, 2010 CCA LEXIS 70 (trial lawyer)(forced entire Coast Guard to revise "8H" policy)(accused's trial attorney)
United States v. Grover, 2015 CCA LEXIS 496 (accused's trial attorney)
United States v. Murphy, 2016 CCA LEXIS 501 (raised 4th Amendment claims of error) (accused's appellate counsel)
