
“The only way to truly advocate for your clients is to know and understand them and their issue. Being a part of the same family, I can think of no better community of people I would rather represent than current and former DoD members and their families.” – Patrick J. Hughes
Patrick J. Hughes (“Pat”) served as an active duty Judge Advocate (JAG) for the United States Air Force (USAF) for over six years, separating in September 2017. Since forming Patriots Law Group, he has practiced in Maryland, Virginia, the District of Columbia (DC), and New York on civil and/or criminal matters, as well as in Federal court, and in the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB) on employment matters. He is admitted to practice in Maryland, Virginia, DC, New York, the Air Force Court of Criminal Appeals, the Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces, the Army Court of Criminal Appeals, the Court of Federal Claims, the District Court for DC, the District Court for Maryland, the Eastern and Western Districts of Virginia, and the Supreme Court of the United States. He is also accredited to practice on Veterans Affairs Appeals.
During his time in service, after graduating from Commissioned Officer Training as a distinguished graduate, he followed a litigation track, beginning with prosecuting those accused of criminal violations under the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) at Yokota Air Base, Japan. While at Yokota, in just his second year with the USAF, he was ranked by his Staff Judge Advocate as the top litigator and #1 of 8 Captains (O-3s) in the office.
He was then chosen in a “best qualified” selection process to become the Area Defense Counsel (ADC) at Pope Army Airfield, Fort Bragg, North Carolina. While there, he traveled the eastern seaboard representing servicemembers in courts-martial, a Senior Officer Unfavorable Information File (SOUIF) and O-7 promotion board, non-judicial punishment/administrative paperwork (i.e., letters of counseling, admonishment, and reprimand), a flying evaluation board, demotion actions, denials of promotion/reenlistment, negative/referral performance reports, Article 138 complaints, applications to the Board of Corrections for Military Records (BCMR), and involuntary administrative discharge actions. His experience included representation in matters involving drug use, fraud, theft, negligent homicide, sexual assaults and rape. Further, he represented over 400 servicemembers of virtually all ranks and career fields, from multiple O-6s in command, to pilots/air crew, maintainers, medics, and members of Joint Special Operations Command.
His courtroom successes led to him being ranked the #1 of 84 ADCs world-wide by the O-6 head of the Air Force Legal Operations Agency's (AFLOA) Trial Defense Division.
His final active duty assignment was as a litigation attorney in the Military Personnel section of AFLOA's General Litigation division at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland. While there, he transitioned from criminal to civil practice, defending the DoD and USAF in lawsuits, including multiple class actions with millions of dollars at stake, brought in Federal courts across the United States. His cases included defending decisions rendered by the BCMR that were challenged in Federal Court, back pay claims for alleged improper promotion/enlistment denials, denials of disability retirements, and denials of other financial incentives. He also supported the Labor Law Field Support Center in defending actions raised by DoD civilians in employment discrimination cases brought before the EEOC, as well as challenges to adverse employment actions taken up before the MSPB. There, he was ranked by his O-6 Division Chief as the #1 of 7 Captains, and his supervisor ranked him the #1 Captain among all O-3s she had supervised in over 22 years.
In anticipation of meeting his promotion board, he was ranked among all those eligible for promotion from within AFLOA as the #1 of 53 by the AFLOA Commander. He ultimately promoted to Major.
He looks forward to continuing to build his legal practice at Patriots Law Group with his close friend and former active duty Air Force colleague, Mike Lyons.
View his LinkedIn Profile here.
Recent Blog Posts
Navigating the DoD and Service Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Program
What Zero Tolerance for Drugs Means to Servicemembers
Part 2 - Is Actual Recovery for Medical Malpractice Possible for Servicemembers Injured or Killed by a DoD Healthcare Provider: Maybe???
HOLDING THE ARMY ACCOUNTABLE- PROPOSED BAH CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT FILED!
BAH Lawsuit-Spread The Word
Recommendations
- “Outstanding Experience! Worked with Patrick Hughes at Patriots Law Group for a quick-turn, in-depth ethics review. I worked with plenty of JAGs throughout my career in the military — Patrick and Patriots Law gets it. Highly recommended.”
- “Highly recommended! I would highly recommend Patriots Law Group to anyone looking for a great lawyer. Patrick Hughes is trustworthy, knowledgeable, experienced, and respectful. I brought my dad to to Patriots Law Group seeking advice on his mortgage. After Mr. Hughes reviewed all of my dad's pap...
- “Exceptional Service! Pat Hughes is a Super Star and I would recommend him to anyone. He was the keeper of my sanity throughout my ordeal! Superb in every respect…professional and personal integrity is unquestionable. Will not go anywhere else for legal advise. Keep up the great work!”
- I met Patrick in 2014 during a 3 year investigation for sexual assault. He came highly recommended so I chose him to be on my team. Patrick walked into a unique situation. Two years prior a woman falsely accused me of sexual assault. I enjoyed the pleasure of my name in the news and on the intern...
- I met Pat Hughes a couple of years ago while a senior commander and under investigation for an inappropriate relationship. He came highly recommended as defense counsel and I selected him from 3 military attorneys that were offered. To say I was lucky in my selection is a vast understatement. I c...
- I was fortunate to achieve the rank of Chief Master Sergeant (E-9) in the United States Air Force and served for over 28 years. However, I was a Chief with a secret and led a double life. While serving on active duty, I became addicted to crack cocaine and became an alcoholic while trying to use ...
- Patrick Hughes is a thorough and professional attorney. He was able to put everything in perspective. He took his time and was able to articulate in a way that I understood.
- Patrick Hughes was outstanding! He was responsive and very knowledgeable. I would do business with this firm and Patrick again.
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I am impressed with every response by this firm...had a great outcome!
I am impressed with every response by this firm. I highly recommend my attorney. He was very responsive and professional throughout the whole process and with quick resolve. I had a great outcome and he was supportive and gave great advice for a great outcome. Again, I highly recommend Patrick Hu... - Patrick has been amazing. He has been extremely responsive, right on point with strategy and gets results. Awesome job, 5+ stars and recommend to everyone.
- Patrick Hughes provided me with a lot of advice and knowledge on a military housing issue! I am so thankful we had his help and encourage all military families to reach out if you need legal advice or representation!
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Pat Hughes expertly crafted a rebuttal package that resulted in my complete exoneration
After the government spent 18 months ‘investigating' and brought their accusations to the table, Patriots Law Group and specifically Patrick Hughes expertly crafted a rebuttal package which refuted, point by point, all of the accusations. Put simply, PLG did in 45 days what a government investiga... -
Mr. Hughes saved my career after false military police accusations! Recommend without hesitation!
I have been fortunate in the United States Air Force to obtain the rank of MSgt and work in some of the most unique environments over my 12 years of service. However, this experience almost came to a crashing holt when I was arrested by military police and charged based on false accusations. In o...