EJ Gladding

EJ Gladding is a Warrior AdvocateTM whose battlefield is the courtroom, where challenges are met head-on with unparalleled dynamism and unwavering resolve. The bigger the challenge, the more forceful the response. From the halls of college debate to the crucible of law school advocacy to prosecuting and defending Soldiers in the U.S. Army, EJ has cultivated the spirit of a fierce defender of our service members. A retired Army Judge Advocate, EJ has traveled the globe in the pursuit of military justice, serving in South Korea and Germany. Whether it’s a court-martial hanging in the balance, a separation board fraught with implications, or an adverse administrative action casting shadows, EJ brings to bear the seasoned wisdom of a battle-hardened litigator, fortified by the formidable resources of the Warrior Law TeamTM to every case.

From the darkest allegations of rape, sexual assault, and sexual harassment to the complex terrain of military offenses such as dereliction of duty, AWOL, and maltreatment – EJ has encountered and conquered them all – politically motivated commanders, biased and short-sighted investigators, and untruthful, vindictive, alleged victims. In his relentless quest for justice for the Warrior ClientTM, EJ meticulously uncovers concealed narratives, exposing biases, motives, and crucial evidence often neglected or ignored by the government.

Armed with irrefutable facts, he mobilizes every available resource to champion the cause of his Warrior ClientsTM and vigorously defends their rights at every turn. With an unwavering commitment to holding commanders and the government accountable, EJ ensures that corners are not cut, regulations are upheld, and justice is delivered in every case.

Gone are the days of routine prosecutions by the government trial counsel who simply “mail it in.” With EJ on their side, Warrior ClientsTM can expect nothing less than a full, robust, and impassioned defense. With an unrivaled commitment to military justice, he will draw from his nearly five years of invaluable experience as defense counsel, senior defense counsel, and deputy regional defense counsel in the military, to maximize the Warrior ClientsTM odds at “winning” their case. Well-rounded, he possesses a comprehensive understanding of what the government ought to be doing, formerly serving as a trial counsel prosecutor, Special Assistant U.S. Attorney, and Special Victim’s Counsel.

EJ commands the courtroom with an electrifying presence and an unwavering dedication to defending America’s Warriors. With him as their Warrior AdvocateTM, clients gain a formidable titan in the arena of military justice, one who has not just walked the path but has paved it.

In Loving Memory of EJ Gladding

It is with heavy hearts that we share this tribute in memory of our dear colleague and friend, EJ Gladding. Throughout his career at The Law Office of Will M. Helixon, EJ Gladding exemplified dedication, compassion, and a relentless commitment to defending the rights of service members. His impact on our team, his clients, and the military community will never be forgotten. This video is a reflection of the profound legacy he leaves behind, honoring his contributions and the countless lives he touched.

Meet our Dedicated Lawyers

Your Warrior Advocates

Will M. Helixon

Our firm is led by Retired Lieutenant Colonel Will M. Helixon, the hard-working founder with an impressive career spanning over 30 years as a military lawyer and court-martial defense lawyer. Throughout his extensive tenure, he has consistently stood in the courtroom, fiercely advocating for his uniformed clients, and defending civilians in the civilian criminal courts. Will’s journey in the legal profession began after spending three years as a civilian criminal defense lawyer in Houston, Texas. In August 1996, he enlisted in the Army, upholding a proud family tradition of military service that stretched across multiple generations.

Commencing his military career as a brigade paralegal, then-Corporal Helixon’s dedication and exceptional abilities earned him a commission in July 1998, furthering his trial advocacy as a military lawyer for the U.S. Army. Over his 18 years of active duty, Will occupied various critical roles within military justice litigation, encompassing positions such as Trial Counsel in Germany, Senior Trial Counsel, Senior Defense Counsel in Germany, Chief of DCAP (defense advocacy training), Special Victim Prosecutor in Germany, and receiving military judge certification. His unwavering commitment to justice took him to Germany for three tours, Italy for one tour, and deployments to Afghanistan, Honduras, and Hungary, with temporary assignments in Iraq, Kuwait, Bosnia, and Croatia.

Recognizing Will’s exceptional trial skills and extensive litigation experience, the Army bestowed upon him the esteemed “3T” “Master Military Justice Practitioner” skill identifier, cementing his reputation as an exemplary court-martial defense lawyer. Currently residing in Wiesbaden, Germany, Will is readily accessible to clients throughout Germany and Europe, offering his expertise and guidance when it matters most. His dedication to clients and his hard work makes him the “go to” military lawyer in Germany.

Natalia Helmsing

Leading our Warrior Law Team’s efforts in Rocky Mountain and Southwest region of the United States, Natalia Helmsing brings nothing short of military law brilliance to our crew of Warrior AdvocatesTM. Amidst the involved maze of the military, Natalia stands as a cornerstone of steady dedication and impeccable responsibility. Her distinguished tenure as a Major and Deputy Regional Defense Counsel (DRDC) in the U.S. Army Reserves isn’t just a job description, but an indication of her enduring commitment to military justice. After serving over 7 transformative years on active duty as a military lawyer, day in and day out, Natalia now passionately protects our Warrior ClientsTM, skillfully navigating them through the elaborate web of administrative challenges, exhaustive command-directed investigations, and the occasionally excessive reaches of authoritative command decisions.

Andre Le Blanc

Andre Le Blanc tries cases. Every aspect of his being resonates with the fervor of a litigator, and the tactical precision of a seasoned trial advocate. A retired Army Judge Advocate and combat veteran, Dre specializes in courts-martial, administrative separation boards, and dynamic advocacy. Dre isn’t just familiar with the battlefield of justice—he masters it. Trusted with some of the Army’s highest profile cases, Dre is a litigator that does not waver in the courtroom. With his attention to all recent changes to the UCMJ and the policies of the various services published in regulations and instructions, he is always prepared, updated, and ready to battle the government on any given day. A constant learner, he is always two steps ahead of the government and his trial and case preparation is second to none. A versatile and adaptive military lawyer, Dre handles military justice, administrative actions, and military labor & employment matters. No issue too big, and no case too small, his commitment Warrior ClientsTM course through his veins. As a former senior prosecutor, special victim counsel, and deputy staff judge advocate, Dre adds the power of advocacy, persuasion, and influence to our stable of Warrior AdvocatesTM. With Dre standing beside you, victory isn’t just a mere possibility, it’s a reality.

Mary Ritzmann

From the rigorous elements of the Marines to the intense courtrooms of Massachusetts, Lieutenant Colonel (retired) Mary Ritzmann has crafted a career of leadership, dedication, and unparalleled legal acumen. As a Warrior AdvocateTM who knows and understands the struggles of being a successful warrior in today’s complicated environment, Mary is focused on serving Warrior ClientsTM.

Over three decades ago, she embarked on her journey as an enlisted Marine — a world where only the best thrives. Mary wasn’t just any enlisted Marine—she shone with unequaled potential. This led her to the grueling Marine Officer Candidate School in Quantico, where she didn’t just graduate—she seized the title of Honor Candidate, emerging at the top of her class.

John Caulwell

Meet John W. Caulwell, a distinguished retired Lieutenant Colonel with a remarkable background as an Armor Officer from 2002 to 2006. He acquired invaluable combat experience in Iraq, where he received the Bronze Star for Valor on two occasions. John’s unwavering commitment to justice led him to be accepted into the prestigious U.S. Army JAG Corps’ Funded Legal Education Program (FLEP), where he pursued his legal education at Indiana University School of Law. Throughout his career in the JAG Corps, John held various significant roles, including Chief of Client Services, Chief of Administrative Law, Special Assistant U.S. Attorney, Trial Counsel, Senior Defense Counsel, and Chief of Military Justice in Grafenwoehr, Germany. With experience as both a Prosecutor and Defense Counsel, John possesses a comprehensive understanding of the legal landscape and has overseen supervisory positions on both sides of the law. While friendly and approachable, John’s inner warrior spirit surfaces when the situation demands it, combining an exceptional level of legal expertise with a wealth of life experiences. Count on him to fiercely fight for your rights in your case.

Since joining the Germany-based Law Office of Will H. Helixon, John has achieved a track record of positive outcomes in nearly every single case. After dedicating over 20 years of active-duty service, John possesses a profound understanding of the Army’s intricacies, enabling him to skillfully navigate various channels such as the Chain-of-Command, Law Enforcement, Inspector General, Equal Opportunity, SHARP, and other agencies to secure the best results for his clients diplomatically or aggressively, as required. To ensure personalized attention and utmost dedication, John selectively accepts only a limited number of clients, allowing him to always be available and provide intensive focus on each case.

Residing in Amberg, Germany, John effortlessly caters to the needs of clients throughout Europe and Germany. Rest assured that with his expertise and commitment, your legal matters will be in capable hands.