From dedicated military service to impassioned legal advocacy, his relentless demand for justice ensures every service member receives the strongest possible defense.
Your Military Lawyer
Discover Matthew Krause
Colonel (Retired) Matthew Krause lives at the intersection of dedicated military service and loyal adherence to the rule of law. For over 25 years, he proudly wore the uniform, defending service members, advising commanders, and charting the future of the U.S. Army’s Judge Advocate General’s Corps. Today, he brings that wealth of experience to the Warrior Law TeamTM, serving as a strategic ally for our troops. From defending entry-level trainees facing separation from the service to representing colonels betrayed by their service, Matthew Krause leaves nothing on the table.
As a member of the Warrior Law Team™, Matthew Krause is as comfortable in a courtroom as he is in a war room. He has waged legal warfare as a Special Assistant U.S. Attorney and Legal Advisor in the Eastern District of Michigan, in the military courts of the 10th Mountain Division and the Military District of Washington, and as an advisor to the U.S. Ambassador-at-Large of the Office of Global Criminal Justice (formerly the War Crimes Office), U.S. Department of State. Whether challenging disciplinary actions, defending against serious charges, or navigating complex military regulations, Matthew Krause guarantees that every Warrior Client™ benefits from aggressive advocacy and “rock-solid” support. His mission is undeniable: stand beside service members when they need it most, deliver skilled advocacy, and protect the careers they have worked so hard to build.
The Military Lawyer You Can Rely On: Their Story
In His Own Words
“You raised your right hand—now he’s raising his voice for you.”
In this video, Matthew Krause shares his military legal career and what led him to become a Warrior Advocate®. Matthew Krause has spent his legal career focused on protecting the rights of service members. As Staff Judge Advocate at Fort Gregg-Adams, he served as the senior legal advisor to the two-star commander. At the U.S. Army JAG Corps’ Futures Concepts Directorate, he led efforts to shape the future of military legal practice. As Deputy Staff Judge Advocate for the XVIII Airborne Corps, he oversaw daily operations and legal leadership for more than 120 personnel at the Army’s largest installation.
His work has taken him from combat zones in Kandahar to leadership roles in Washington, D.C., and Germany. In every role, he emphasized process, accountability, and a consistent focus on doing things the right way—ensuring that military justice was carried out fairly and service members’ rights were protected. For him, there was only one way to do things: the right way.
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Professional Career Synopsis
Advocating for Service Members Worldwide
The complexities of military law demand a defense attorney who fully understands the unique challenges, structure, and high stakes service members face. Matthew Krause is committed to delivering top-tier legal representation to Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, Coastguardsmen, and Guardians, ensuring their rights, careers, and futures are secure.
He did it as a civilian criminal defense lawyer in North Carolina. He did it with legal assistance at V Corps in Heidelberg. He did it as a TDS defense counsel at Fort Drum. He did it as TDS senior defense counsel in the National Capitol Region. He did it as the Vilseck Law Center OIC and Regimental Judge Advocate for the 2nd Cavalry Regiment in Germany. Returning to his roots, he DOES IT NOW.
As a member of the Law Office of Will M. Helixon, he stands by service members wherever duty takes them. Whether navigating legal battles at home or overseas, Matthew Krause provides relentless advocacy, sharp legal strategy, and an unyielding dedication to justice for every Warrior Client™ that he represents. He is there for you, from trial by court-martial to separation boards to adverse administrative actions. Defending America’s Warrior’s.
Early Life and Education
Building the Foundation
for Legal Excellence
Born and raised in the college town of Ann Arbor, Michigan, Matthew Krause enjoyed a childhood that perfectly balanced academic rigor with athletic achievement and artistic appreciation. The diverse, intellectually stimulating environment of a major university town exposed him to different viewpoints and cultural experiences that would later serve him well in his international military legal career. His dedication to multiple sports—golf, ice hockey, rugby, and soccer—taught him the value of discipline, teamwork, and pushing oneself to achieve excellence, while also developing the time management skills necessary to balance athletics, music, and academics simultaneously.
After completing his undergraduate education, Matthew pursued his legal studies at Wake Forest University School of Law in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, where he developed the foundational legal principles that would guide his entire career. Law school taught him what became a cornerstone of his legal philosophy: that the spirit of the law is sometimes more important than the letter of the law, and that effective advocacy often requires persuasive arguments that transcend black-letter legal principles. He continued his legal education throughout his military career, earning an LL.M. in Military Law from The Judge Advocate General’s Legal Center and School and an LL.M. in National Security Law from Georgetown University Law Center, along with a Graduate Certificate in International Human Rights from Georgetown.
Military Career
From Private to Colonel:
An Extraordinary Journey of Service
Matthew Krause’s military career began as an enlisted soldier, providing him with a unique perspective that few JAG officers possess—intimate knowledge of military life from the ground up. His decision to transition from enlisted service to the Judge Advocate General’s Corps was influenced by his personal experience with military justice and his recognition that the Army JAG Corps offered the largest and most diverse opportunities for legal practice and deployment. After September 11th, while working as a civilian attorney and drilling with the North Carolina National Guard, he was mobilized and discovered his passion for full-time military service, leading him to transfer to active duty.
His military legal career encompassed virtually every aspect of Army legal operations, from individual soldier representation to advising general officers on complex operational and strategic issues. He served as a prosecutor, developing trial skills and understanding government litigation strategies; as defense counsel at Fort Drum and senior defense counsel in the National Capital Region, where he mastered the art of military defense advocacy; and as brigade judge advocate for multiple units, including the 2nd Cavalry Regiment in Germany. His assignments as Deputy Staff Judge Advocate for XVIII Airborne Corps and Staff Judge Advocate at Fort Gregg-Adams positioned him at the highest levels of military legal leadership, where he supervised large legal offices and advised senior commanders on critical legal matters affecting thousands of soldiers.
From the Battlefield to the Courtroom
Mastering the Art of Legal
Warfare Across Multiple Domains
COL (R) Matthew Krause’s transition from active military service to civilian legal practice represents a natural evolution of his lifelong commitment to defending those who serve. His extensive combat deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan, along with humanitarian missions to Haiti and Kuwait, provided him with firsthand understanding of the operational challenges facing today’s service members and the legal complexities that arise in modern military operations. This operational experience, combined with his comprehensive background in military justice, gives him unique insights into the pressures and circumstances that can lead to legal challenges for service members.
Before joining the Law Office of Will M. Helixon, Matthew gained valuable civilian legal experience as a trial attorney in Charlotte, North Carolina, focusing on business law, white-collar crime, and business litigation. This civilian experience enhanced his trial skills and business acumen while providing him with a broader perspective on legal practice outside the military context. His decision to join the Warrior Law Team™ was driven by his recognition that this firm represents the most sophisticated military law practice in the world, staffed by colleagues he had worked with and respected during his military career, creating an environment where he could continue serving the military community with the same dedication he demonstrated throughout his uniformed service.
Guiding Philosophy and Principles
The Warrior’s Code: Integrity, Excellence,
and Unwavering Advocacy
COL (R) Matthew Krause’s legal philosophy is grounded in the fundamental belief that effective advocacy requires more than just legal knowledge—it demands genuine care for clients and an unwavering commitment to achieving the best possible outcome within the bounds of law and ethics. His experience as both an enlisted soldier who faced military justice proceedings and a senior JAG officer who advised commanding generals has given him a unique dual perspective that informs every aspect of his practice. He understands that leadership isn’t complicated as long as you legitimately, honestly, and sincerely care about the people you serve, and he brings this same philosophy to his representation of Warrior Clients™.
His approach to legal practice is shaped by lessons learned at Wake Forest University School of Law, where he developed his core belief that the spirit of the law is sometimes more important than the letter of the law. This philosophy drives his creative and persuasive approach to legal advocacy, recognizing that effective representation often requires thinking beyond conventional legal arguments to achieve justice for his clients. Matthew’s primary goal as a Warrior Advocate® is simple and direct: he wants to win. This isn’t just about achieving favorable outcomes—it’s about ensuring that every service member receives the aggressive, skilled advocacy they deserve, delivered with integrity and within ethical bounds.
Awards, Recognitions, and Volunteerism
Distinguished Service Across
Multiple Theaters and Specialties
Throughout his distinguished 26-year military career, COL (R) Matthew Krause earned numerous awards and recognitions that reflect his exceptional service across multiple theaters of operation and specialties within military law. His decorations include the Army Parachutist Badge, three Meritorious Service Medals, the Joint Services Commendation Medal, six Army Commendation Medals, the Army Achievement Medal, the Humanitarian Service Medal, the Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal, the Armed Forces Reserve Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, and the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, demonstrating his service in both combat and humanitarian operations worldwide.
Beyond his military decorations, Matthew has been recognized as a thought leader in military law and international humanitarian law. As Director of the Future Concepts Directorate, he co-hosted the podcast “Battlefield Next” and contributed extensively to scholarly discussions about the law of future conflict and multi-domain operations. His expertise in international law and war crimes prosecution, developed during his service with the Office of Global Criminal Justice, positioned him as a subject-matter expert on criminal accountability for atrocity crimes and building criminal cases in non-permissive environments. His professional memberships include the state bars of Virginia, North Carolina, and Michigan, as well as the U.S. Army Court of Criminal Appeals and the U.S. Supreme Court.
Testimonials, Outcomes, and Impact
A Legacy of Excellence in
Military Legal Advocacy
COL (R) Matthew Krause’s exceptional reputation throughout the military legal community reflects his unwavering commitment to excellence and his genuine dedication to serving others. Former colleagues consistently describe him as a legal innovator who brought both intellectual rigor and practical wisdom to every assignment, whether advising commanders in combat zones or developing doctrine for future military operations. His ability to provide clear, actionable legal guidance in high-pressure environments earned him the trust of senior leaders and the respect of peers throughout the JAG Corps.
Service members who have worked with Matthew throughout his career consistently praise his genuine care for their welfare and his relentless advocacy on their behalf. His experience as both prosecutor and defense counsel provides him with unique insights into military justice from every perspective, allowing him to anticipate government strategies while developing innovative defense approaches. Commanding generals who received his legal advice consistently found his recommendations to be thorough, well-reasoned, and operationally sound, reflecting his understanding that effective military legal advice must balance legal requirements with mission accomplishment. His transition to civilian practice has allowed him to bring this same level of excellence and dedication to Warrior Clients™ facing the most challenging legal situations.
As Seen On: Trusted by Leading Media Outlets
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DEFENDING Servicemembers is our PASSION
At the Law Office of Will M. Helixon, we understand the unique challenges military personnel face when navigating legal issues. Our experienced team is ready to provide the expert defense and guidance you deserve. Schedule a confidential consultation today to discuss your case and get the support you need. Use our convenient online appointment system to book your time, and let us help you protect your rights and your future.
When your freedom is threatened by the Government, when legal stress has your family hanging on by a thread, or when your career and financial future is on the line, let the military lawyers and court-martial defense lawyers at the Law Office of Will M. Helixon apply the trial skills they have honed for decades in the United States and Germany to aggressively advocate on your behalf.
15-Minute Introductory Consultation with a Warrior Advocate™
During this 15-minute introductory consultation, you’ll have the opportunity to speak with one of our experienced Warrior Advocates™. We’ll briefly discuss your legal concerns, answer any initial questions, and outline how The Law Office of Will M. Helixon can assist in protecting your rights and securing your future. This quick consultation is designed to help us understand your needs and determine the best next steps for your case. Schedule your free consultation today and take the first step toward safeguarding your career.
15-Minute Introductory Consultation with a Warrior Advocate™
During this 15-minute introductory consultation, you’ll have the opportunity to speak with one of our experienced Warrior Advocates™. We’ll briefly discuss your legal concerns, answer any initial questions, and outline how The Law Office of Will M. Helixon can assist in protecting your rights and securing your future. This quick consultation is designed to help us understand your needs and determine the best next steps for your case. Schedule your free consultation today and take the first step toward safeguarding your career.