Atty. Colby Vokey

Mr. Vokey is one of the most well known and prominent military lawyers in the world.

Dallas Dallas 28 yrs experience 28 year

Profile Summary

About Colby Vokey at a glance

Colby Vokey is a Member based in Dallas, Texas, practicing at Colby Vokey Military Trial Lawyer. They have 28+ years of legal experience, licensed to practice since 1998. Their practice focuses on dui/dwi, sexual harassment, wrongful death, personal injury, and criminal defense. Admitted to practice in North Dakota (1998). Educated at University of North Dakota School of Law (J.D., 1998) and Texas A & M University (B.S. Political, 1987). Serands clients in Dallas, TX and the surrounding metropolitan area.

Verified attorney profile · Updated June 2026

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About

Mr. Vokey is one of the most well known and prominent military lawyers in the world
He has earned a national reputation as a hard-nosed, zealous criminal defense trial attorney
A retired Lieutenant Colonel from the United States Marine Corps, he has been involved in some of the most highly publicized military cases this century
He served as the lead counsel for a Canadian teenager detained in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba and held for trial by a military commission on murder and terrorism charges
Mr. Vokey also defended the Marine squad leader accused of killing 18 people in the now infamous city of Haditha, Iraq
Mr. Vokey served his country as a Marine Corps officer for over 20 years
He first served as an artillery officer, to include a combat tour during the first Persian Gulf War
Mr. Vokey also handled a variety of critical jobs involving sensitive or classified information
He was then selected for the highly competitive military law program
After graduating with distinction from law school, where he was also honored with selection to the Order of the Barristers, Mr. Vokey began a career as a trial lawyer
With the exception of one year spent obtaining his Masters of Law, he spent all of his time as a military judge advocate in the courtroom as either a prosecutor or defense attorney
Mr. Vokey has tried hundreds of cases as both a prosecutor and defense counsel
As chief prosecutor for the busiest trial team in all of the Department of Defense at Camp Pendleton, California, he supervised or tried hundreds of cases
Not the one to sit on the sidelines, Mr. Vokey served as lead prosecutor for many cases to include murder, drug distribution, rape and a highly publicized bank fraud case involving the attempted theft of millions of dollars from the Federal Reserve
Mr. Vokey often worked closely with law enforcement organizations such as NCIS, FBI and military investigators during both the investigation and trial stages
As a result of his performance, he was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal by the Secretary of the Navy
As a defense attorney, Mr. Vokey earned the reputation as an aggressive and tough advocate for his clients, both military and civilian
As the Chief of all Marine Corps defense counsel in the Western half of the United States and in Iraq, he was responsible for the defense of service members charged with a variety of crimes
Many of those cases would come out of combat actions in Iraq and Afghanistan and included numerous cases of war crimes cases against U.S. service members
Mr. Vokey personally defended numerous clients, to include those charged with murder, manslaughter, rape, sexual assault, sexual harassment, kidnapping, alcohol and drug related offenses, unauthorized absense (AWOL), orders violations, and false official statement
He constantly fought for the rights of accused servicemembers, in and out of the courtroom
Observing our men and women returning from multiple combat tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, Mr. Vokey noticed that many were suffering from post traumatic stress, combat stress, or other mental health issues
As explained in an interview with USA Today, Mr. Vokey became a strong supporter of the rights of service members who returned from combat with a variety of mental health disorders only to find themselves being kicked out of the service
Mr. Vokey has continued representing service members in the most difficult and, sometimes, notorious cases
He has represented at trial more service members charged with war crimes and crimes originating in a combat zone than any other attorney in the country
Mr. Vokey has also handled a great number of sexual assault cases over the years
In the last three years, after the military focused on prosecuting such cases, Mr. Vokey has won trial after trial involving sexual assault, rape and similar offenses
His zealous and dogged representation of his clients is noticeable no matter the type of case, no matter the location of the court
Recognized as an expert in military legal matters, Mr. Vokey has been asked to speak all over the United States and overseas on criminal law, international law, veterans’ rights and a variety of other topics
His speeches and presentations include those at Harvard Law School and Harvard International Legal Studies
Keynote Speaker for 2008 Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association Banquet
University of Virginia International Law Symposium
Human Rights Conference, House of Commons, London, England
Dallas Bar Association
Colorado Trial Lawyers Association
John Marshall Law School, Atlanta
Texas A&M University
Thomas Jefferson School of Law, San Diego
South Texas College of Law, Houston
University of North Dakota School of Law
Federal Bar Association, Dallas Chapter
Banyard Inns of Court, Orange County, California
San Diego Public Defenders Association
Mira Costa College, Vista, California
In addition to hundreds of television, radio, magazine and newspaper interviews in the United States and abroad and his own entry on the online Wikipedia website, Mr. Vokey has been the subject of several feature stories, such as: the segment All Things Considered on National Public Radio
Texas Aggie magazine, San Diego Union Tribune newspaper
and the Dallas Morning News
After retiring from the Marine Corps in 2008, Mr. Vokey joined the prestigious Dallas criminal law firm of Fitzpatrick Hagood Smith & Uhl LLP, where he was made a Partner
Adding to his military and criminal justice experience, he then worked at a civil law firm, representing injured persons in personal injury cases
No matter the type of case – military, criminal or civil – Mr. Vokey brings to the courtroom a wealth of trial experience and an expertise
His trial record and reputation along with his impeccable qualifications and solid work ethic put him among the very best in the representation of injured persons and servicemembers, citizens and businesses that find themselves subject to investigation and prosecution in criminal matters
Additionally, Mr. Vokey has served as an expert witness and consultant in military matters for both state and federal cases
His wide and varied experiences qualify him to provide expert opinion, advice and testimonial in: general military matters
strategy, tactics and operations
military administration
military benefits, separation and retirement
criminal law
military law
and government contracting and ethics
Honors, Awards, and Memberships: • 2007 American Bar Association’s Charles R. English Criminal Defense Lawyer of the Year • Staff Instructor – Gerry Spence’s Trial Lawyers College, Dubois, Wyoming • Advisor – National Institute of Military Justice, Washington, D.C. • Committee Member, Liberty and Security Committee and Committee on Policing Reforms – The Constitution Project, Washington, D.C. • Course Director, Military Defense Counsel Trial Litigation Program – Center for American and International Law, Plano, Texas • Member – The College of the State Bar of Texas • Member – State Bar of Texas
Individual Rights and Responsibilities Section • Member – State Bar of Texas
Military Law Section • Member – Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association • Member – Texas Aggie Bar Association • Recommended Attorney – United American Patriots, Kernersville, North Carolina • Staff Attorney – North American Law Center, Hermitage, Tennessee • Adjunct Professor, Political Science – Central Texas College • Coach – Pearce High School Mock Trial Team • Judge – Moot Court, UNT Dallas College of Law • Order of Barristers, Awarded in 1998, Honor Society for Excellence in Courtroom Advocacy • Lifetime Member – Veterans of Foreign Wars • Military awards, including: the Combat Action Ribbon, the Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Navy Achievement Medal, Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, • Kuwait Liberation Medal, Global War of Terrorism Service Medal, Southwest Asia Service Medal, Order of Saint Barbara and All-Marine Rugby Team Military Education: • The Judge Advocate General School of the Army – The Graduate Course • Marine Corps Command and Staff College • Naval Justice School – The Judge Advocate Course • Marine Corps – Amphibious Warfare School • Marine Corps – Communications Security Material System School • Navy – Sealed Authenticator Sytem for Nuclear Weapons School • Army – Field Artillery School, Honor Graduate • Marine Corps – The Basic School, Graduated 9th out of 243 Speaking Engagements: 2017 Speaking Engagements • Law of Armed Conflict and Prosecutorial Ethics – Speaker, 18th Annual Conference of the Texas Aggie Bar Association, Texas A & M University, College Station, Texas – March 2017 • Real World Application of Attorney Ethics – Guest Lecturer, Texas A & M School of Law, Fort Worth, Texas – February 2017 2016 Speaking Engagements • Advanced Skills Training – Staff Instructor, Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, Round Top, Texas – October 2016 • Trial Skills – Staff Instructor, Three-Week College, Trial Lawyers College, Dubois, Wyoming – September 2016 • Legal Storytelling and Trial Skills – Staff Instructor, Graduate Course, Trial Lawyers College, Dubois, Wyoming – August 2016 • Military Justice – Featured Speaker, Collin County Bench Bar Conference, Dallas – April 2016 • Discovering the Story of the Case – Staff Instructor, Regional Seminar, Trial Lawyers College, Hunt, Texas – April 2016 • Cross Examination – Staff Instructor, Regional Seminar, Trial Lawyers College, San Diego – January 2016 2015 Speaking Engagements • Legal Storytelling and Courtroom Applications – Staff Instructor, Graduate Course, Trial Lawyers College, Dubois, Wyoming – August 2015 • Defending Sexual Assault Cases – Co-Director and Lecturer, Military Defense Counsel Trial Litigation Course, Center for American and International Law, Plano, Texas – August 2015 • Trial Skills – Staff Instructor, Three-Week College, Trial Lawyers College, Dubois, Wyoming- July 2015 • The Just War Theory – St. Ignatius College Prep, Chicago – May 2015 • Opening Statements – Staff Instructor, Regional Seminar, Trial Lawyers College, Austin – April 2015 • Trial Skills – Staff Instructor, Local Seminar, Trial Lawyers College, Dallas – March 2015 • Injustice in War Crimes Cases – United American Patriots Rally, Washington,D.C. – March 2015 • Selecting a Jury – Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, Houston – March 2015 • Voir Dire and the Jury – Staff Instructor, Regional Seminar, Trial Lawyers College, San Diego – January 2015 2014 Speaking Engagements • Trial Skills and Preparation – The Indiana Public Defender Council, Trial Practice Institute, Lawrenceburg, Indiana – September 2014 • Advanced Trial Skills – Staff Instructor, Graduate Course, Trial Lawyers College, Dubois, Wyoming – August 2014 • Defending Sexual Assault Cases – Co-Director and Lecturer, Military Defense Counsel Trial Litigation Course, Center for American and International Law, Plano, Texas – August 2014 • Trial Skills Training – Staff Instructor, Three-Week College, Trial Lawyers College, Dubois, Wyoming- July 2014 • Voir Dire – Staff Instructor, Regional Seminar, Trial Lawyers College, Grapevine, Texas – April 2014 • Picking a Jury – Staff Instructor, Local Seminar, Trial Lawyers College, Irving, Texas – March 2014 2013 Speaking Engagements • Putting Trials in Action: Witness Demonstrations – Bob Chaloupka Trial Skills Seminar, Scottsbluff – November 2013 • Defending Sexual Assault Cases – Co-Director and Lecturer, Military Defense Counsel Trial Litigation Course, Center for American and International Law, Plano, Texas – August 2013 • Trial Techniques – Staff Instructor, Three-Week College, Trial Lawyers College, Dubois, Wyoming – July 2013 • The Rule of Law “Black Hole” – State Bar College, Summer School CLE, Galveston, Texas – July 2013 • The Guantanamo Bay Update – State Bar of Texas, Bill of Rights CLE, Austin – May 2013 • Closing Arguments – Staff Instructor, Regional Seminar, Trial Lawyers College, Pottsboro, Texas – May 2013 • Modern Jury Trials – Dallas Bar Association, Judicial Committee CLE, Dallas – April 2013 • Military Justice – Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association Veterans Seminar, Southern Methodist University, University Park, Texas – February 2013 2012 Speaking Engagements • Psychodramatic Techniques and Discovering the Story – Staff Instructor, Three-Week College, Trial Lawyers College, Dubois, Wyoming – September 2012 • Military Defense Counsel Trial Litigation – Co-Director and Lecturer, Military Defense Counsel Trial Litigation Course, Center for American and International Law, Plano, Texas – August 2012 • You Don’t Like the Truth: Four Days Inside Guantanamo – World Affairs Council of Dallas/Ft.Worth, Dallas – June 2012 • Cross Examination Techniques – Staff Instructor, Regional Seminar, Trial Lawyers College, Roundtop, Texas – April 2012 • Discovering the Story of the Case – Staff Instructor, Regional Seminar, Trial Lawyers College, Cambria, California – January 2012 2011 Speaking Engagements • Persuading the Jury – Army Advanced Trial Advocacy Training, Philadelphia – September 2011 • Pretrial Investigation and Discovery – Military Defense Counsel Trial Litigation Course, Center for American and International Law, Plano, Texas – August 2011 • Defending Complex Cases – Naval Justice School, Newport, Rhode Island – July 2011 • Voir Dire – Staff Instructor, Regional Seminar, Trial Lawyers College, Roundtop, Texas – April 2011 • Reform of Military Commissions – International Law Symposium, Rutgers School of Law, Newark, New Jersey – February 2011 • Human Rights Law – Dedman School of Law, Southern Methodist University, University Park, Texas – February 2011 • Developing Case Theory – Marine Corps Defense Conference, Mirimar, California – February 2011 • Legal and Moral Issues in War – Yavneh Prep School, Dallas – January 2011 2010 Speaking Engagements • Military Discharge Upgrades and the Boards for Correction for Military Records – Veteran’s Law Seminar, Dedman School of Law, Southern Methodist University, University Park, Texas – November 2010 • Courts-Martial and Modern War Crimes – Mac Taylor Inn of Court, Dallas – October 2010 • War Crimes: Hamdania and Haditha – State Bar of Texas, Military Law Section, New Braunfels, Texas – October 2010 • The Future of Guantanamo Bay: Where Do We (And the Detainees) Go From Here? – State Bar of Texas Annual Meeting, Ft.Worth – June 2010 • Guantanamo Bay and the Golden Rule – State Bar of Texas, Bill of Rights CLE, Austin – May 2010 • War Crimes Comparison: Haditha Versus Guantanamo – Yavneh Prep School, Dallas – January 2010 2009 Speaking Engagements • Lessons from Guantanamo – Rockwall County Bar Association, Rockwall, Texas – November 2009 • Rules of Engagement in Iraq and Afghanistan – Knights of Colombus, Dallas – October 2009 • War Crimes and the Golden Rule – St. Ignatius Prep, Chicago – October 2009 • Marine Corps War Crimes – Metroplex Marines Association, Dallas – September 2009 • Lawyers and the Rule of Law – State Bar of Texas, Bill of Rights CLE, Houston – May 2009 • The Use of Media in High Visibility Cases – Naval Justice School, Newport, Rhode Island – May 2009 • Human Rights Workshop – University of California Davis – January 2009 2008 Speaking Engagements • Lawyers are the Key to Freedom: Guantanamo to Iraq – North Dakota School of Law, Grand Forks – October 2008 • How 9/11 Has Changed the Practice of Law – Dallas Federal Bar Association CLE, Dallas – September 2008 • PTSD Among Servicemembers and Defending Military Cases – Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association Banquet, Keynote Speaker, Houston May 2008 • War Crimes – Harvard Law School, Boston – April 2008 • Military Trials and Rules of Evidence – Thomas Jefferson School of Law, San Diego – March 2008 • Defending a Detainee at Guantanamo Bay, Colorado Trial Lawyers Association Annual CLE, Denver – January 2008 2007 Speaking Engagements • Haditha, Iraq: Lessons Learned from Marines Charged with War Crimes – Texas A&M University Featured Speaker, College Station – September 2007 • Pacific Region Trial Advocacy Training, Hawaii/Okinawa, Japan – May 2007 • Legality of Guantanamo Bay Detentions – British Human Rights Conference, House of Commons, London – March 2007 • The U.S
Interpretation of International Law in the Global War on Terror – University of Virginia School of Law -February 2007 • Interrogations and the Law of War – Mira Costa College, Vista, California – February 2007 • Western Region Trial Advocacy Training, San Diego – February 2007 2006 Speaking Engagements • Military Commissions and Tribunals – Banyard Inn of Court, Orange County, California – December 2006 • Issues of International Law – University of Virginia International Studies Conference, Charlottesville – November 2006 • Cross Examination and Closing Argument with Gerry Spence – Camp Pendleton,California – October 2006 • East Coast Trial Advocacy Training, North Carolina – September 2006 • Defending an Accused Terrorist at Guantanamo Bay – Dallas Bar Association CLE, Dallas – July 2006 • Pacific Region Trial Advocacy Training, Hawaii/Okinawa, Japan – May 2006 • Human Rights Law – John Marshall Law School, Atlanta – April 2006 • Western Region Trial Advocacy Training, San Diego – February 2006

Practice Areas Explained

Colby Vokey's Areas of Practice

Each practice area below reflects the types of cases Colby Vokey handles, with a brief overview of what that area of law covers.

DUI / DWI Defense

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Colby Vokey is one of 29,976 dui/dwi attorneys indexed nationally. Browse dui/dwi attorneys in Texas →

Sexual Harassment

Colby Vokey is one of 6,021 sexual harassment attorneys indexed nationally. Browse sexual harassment attorneys in Texas →

Wrongful Death

Colby Vokey is one of 31,253 wrongful death attorneys indexed nationally. Browse wrongful death attorneys in Texas →

Personal Injury

Personal injury attorneys help accident victims recover compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain & suffering. Most work on contingency — no fee unless you win.

Colby Vokey is one of 264,852 personal injury attorneys indexed nationally. Browse personal injury attorneys in Texas →

Criminal Defense

A criminal defense attorney protects your rights from arrest through trial. Find experienced lawyers handling DUI, drug, federal, theft, and violent-crime charges.

Colby Vokey is one of 214,270 criminal defense attorneys indexed nationally. Browse criminal defense attorneys in Texas →

Jurisdictional Context

Why local counsel matters in Texas

Practicing law in Texas. Legal matters in Texas are governed by state-specific rules of civil and criminal procedure, statutes of limitations, and substantive law. Cases originating in Dallas are typically filed in the local municipal court or the appropriate Texas state district court, depending on subject matter and amount in controversy. An attorney licensed in Texas brings working knowledge of local procedural deadlines, judicial practices in this andnue, and the substantive law that applies to cases brought here. Out-of-state attorneys generally cannot represent clients in Texas courts without local counsel or pro hac vice admission.

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Frequently Asked

Common questions about Colby Vokey

Where is Colby Vokey's law office located?

Colby Vokey's law practice is located in Dallas, Texas. The firm is Colby Vokey Military Trial Lawyer. You can contact the office directly through this profile page.

What practice areas does Colby Vokey handle?

Colby Vokey focuses on dui/dwi, sexual harassment, wrongful death, personal injury, criminal defense. Each practice area listed reflects experience handling cases of that type in Texas.

How long has Colby Vokey practiced law?

Colby Vokey has 28+ years of legal experience and has been licensed since 1998.

Where did Colby Vokey go to law school?

Colby Vokey earned their education at (J.D., 1998); (B.S. Political, 1987).

How can I contact Colby Vokey for a consultation?

You can contact Colby Vokey directly through this profile page. Click "Ask the Attorney" to submit a question, or "Schedule a Consultation" to book a meeting. Most claimed-profile attorneys respond within one business day.

Practice Areas

Administrative Separation Boards Court-martial and the UCMJ Military Law Administrative License Revocation Hearings Adultery Assault and Domestic Violence AWOL and Unauthorized Absence Board for Correction of Military Records (BCMR) Board for Correction of Naval Records (BCNR) Boards of Inquiry Criminal Law Discharge Review Boards Drug and Alcohol Offenses DUI/DWI Expert Witness Expunction and Non-disclosure of Criminal Records False Official Statement Federal Criminal Law Fraternization Fraud, Theft, and BAH/Travel Voucher Fraud General Military Matters Hazing Homicide, Murder, and Manslaughter Military Administration Military and Criminal Investigations Military Extraterritorial Jurisdiction Act (MEJA) cases Military Operations, Strategy and Tactics Military Regulations, Directives and Orders National Security Cases Officer Misconduct Cases Orders Violation Personal Injury Litigation Security Clearance Hearings Sexual Assault and Rape Sexual Harassment State and Federal) Law War Crimes and Crimes in a Combat Zone White Collar Criminal Defense Wrongful Death

Education

J.D.

University of North Dakota School of Law

- 1998

B.S. Political

Texas A & M University

- 1987

Bar Admissions

North Dakota

Admitted: 1998

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