Joni Miller
Joni Miller is the lead paralegal and case manager for the firm. She studied at the Columbia Union College and graduated with a Bachelors in Organizational Management and recently graduated with a Masters in Theology at Washington Theological Union. Ms. Miller served eleven years in the Active Army, Active National Guard, and Active Army Reserve. She left the military in 1992 as a Staff Sergeant. She worked in the areas of administration, personnel, and recruiting and is instructor qualified. Ms. Miller also worked as an assistant to the managing partner of an international law firm in Wahsington, D.C. She served in several capacities to include the Executive Advisory Board for the Vietnam Veterans Institute, a student member of the Hoffberger Center for Professional Ethics and is currently a memeber of the Fairfax County Chamber of Commerce. Ms. Miller is the first contact with the firm. She will evaluate the issues and facts in your case, followed by a briefing to your attorney. From there, she will set up an initial consultation for you and the attorney.
Dr. Carl Clark
Dr. Carl Clark retired from private practice in 1991. He dedicates his time in addictions medicine and review of military medical evaluations with the firm. Dr. Clark graduated from the University of Philippines (B.A.), Creighton University where he received his Doctor of Medicine and a rotating internship with the US Air Force Hospital in Kessler, Missippi. He is certified with the American Board of Family Practice, the California Society of Addictions Medicine and the American Society of Addictions Medicine. Dr. Clark also served in the US Air Force from 1965 - 1977 obtaining the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. He was also recognized as the PACAF Surgeon of the year.
Albert Allegue, USAF (Ret)
During his 21 years of active duty, Mr. Allegue devoted his entire military career to military criminal investigation, counterintelligence and counterespionage. He is one of the nation's leading professional criminal investigators and counterespionage case officers. In 1984, he was named Outstanding Law Enforcement Non-Commissioned Officer in the Air Force. He has held numerous positions and received numerous awards for meritorious service. Mr. Allegue is an investigative consultant to The Military Defender.
Robert Kesteloot, USN (Ret)
During his 30 years of active duty, Cpt. Kesteloot commanded two ships and was Commanding Officer of the US Naval Station at Subic Bay, Republic of The Philippines. Shore duty assignments kept returning him to the Washington, DC area where he became a proven specialist in both Personnel Management and Financial Management. Mr. Kesteloot heads his own company, K Associates, Ltd., in Reston, Virginia. He conducts professional investigations for The Military Defender.
Rita-Victoria Gomez
Ms. Gomez's 22 year career in the United States Air Force focused on issues dealing with women and minorities. During her assignment with The Center for Air Force History, she researched and began a history of women in the Air Force. An acknowledged expert on military women, she is often consulted by the Secretary of the Air Force, the military leadership and the civilian sector on such diverse topics as fraternization, homosexuality, and the history and contributions of military women and minorities. She is currently a full-time professor of history in Annapolis, Maryland.
Sharon K Harper RN, MSN, LNCC
Sharon K Harper is a retired Navy LCDR, Nurse Corps Officer. Providing professional, medical expertise on multiple cases, Sharon has worked with the firm for fifteen years. Sharon received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the Medical University of South Carolina and her Master of Science in Nursing from the University of Maryland at Baltimore graduating with a 3.7 grade point average. An interesting fact about Sharon before she entered the medical or military profession is she was a pre-law student and a Charleston County Police Officer. Sharon Harper provides a wealth of knowledge for our clients as a Legal Nurse Consultant. Sharon is currently an active member in the Association of OR Nurses (AORN), the Association of Legal Nurse Consultants, and The Military Officers Association of America (MOAA).
Robert H. Clouser
Mr. Clouser has a distinguished career of 20 years in the field of law enforcement. During this time he has become an acknowledged expert in the field of polygraph examinations. Continuing education has solidified his reputation as one of the nation's foremost authorities as a polygraph examiner. He is also a licensed private investigator, and performs electronic countermeasures (de-bugging). Mr. Clouser uses Axciton Computerized Polygraph equipment, which is state of the art lie detector equipment also being employed by the CIA, FBI, DEA, and the Military.
Patricia K. Sullivan MPH, CASACR
Ms. Sullivan has over 25yrs working in the healthcare system. She also has extensive expereience working with the criminal justice system at the local, state and federal level. She has become expert at devising and implementing strategy for both the health system and the local criminal justice system. She was an early participant in implementing an extensive drug court system in her hometown, Buffalo, New York. In her work as a health care professional she became an expert in quality management and regulatory compliance and continues to do consulting work in this area. She is a graduate of Medaille College with a BS in Political Science and D'Youville College with a Master's Degree in Public Health Management. Both of these institutions are located in Buffalo. New York. She has life long dream of going to Law School and still may follow that dream.
Carol Watters
Carol Watters backs up her role as paralegal investigator with eye-watering experience and success. Almost 20 years ago, her son, Kevin, was a wounded warrior returning from the first Gulf War. Carol became extremely active in MOMS - Mothers Opposed to Maltreatment of Servicemembers. At its height, that organization had almost 1,250 member families seeking to improve and reform military law. Working with the Military Defender law firm, Mrs. Watters presented herself to military authorities at her son's stateside installation, Ft. Riley, Kansas. Arguing persuasively, she convinced senior commanders to divert her son from imminent court-martial charges and separate him with an honorable type discharge. The story had a happy ending for the Watters family. Son Kevin is today a warrant officer, proudly serving with the United States Army. Carol Watters' compassion and skills of persuasion have earned her universal respect. She is a million dollar sales realtor and has "given back" for over 12 years with lung cancer patients. She is also active in little theater. Mrs. Watters has lectured on military justice to service families at Ft.
Leavenworth. Her most recent case took her to Ft. Bragg, NC where she advocated for an alternative resolution of potential charges against a brain-damaged young Airborne soldier.
Additional Support Personal
The Military Defender also draws upon a portfolio of associates and part-time experts to provide insight into military-related problems from medical, psychological, and civilian law specialties. Among their number are retired military judges, district attorneys, and military justice experts.