Special Testimonials AR 15-6 TestimonialPosted by AnonymousAugust 2022 BLUF: Secure Mr. Meili's expertise immediately if you are the subject of a 15-6. These potential career ending investigations require his level of skill and knowledge for a favorable outcome. There is nothing more valuable than having Mr. Meili as part of your legal team when you experience a 15-6. He worked seamlessly with my TDS attorney during each phase of my investigation. Ultimately, the investigation was unfounded, and the CG wrote a memo stating no wrong doing on my part. As a field grade officer in an infantry brigade, when you are informed of an anonymous IG complaint triggering a 15-6 your mind races. Not only do you start to question your abilities as a leader, but what this investigation means for your career progression...is there a career ending GOMOR in my future? What happens next? You wonder what the allegations are, what does this investigation have to do with the AIPP program and what impact does this have on my next promotion? Mentors, Colonels and Generals in your chain of command tell you that investigations are a part of the job as you progress in your career. They assure you to be honest and it will 'most likely' turn out well. TDS services are a good asset to secure as they know your local command climate and how the investigations work. These attorneys provide sound assistance, but as Captains, there are nuances that require a certain legal expertise and experience. There is no better individual to provide this service than Mr. Bill Meili. I was a subject of an anonymous IG complaint that triggered a 15-6. The allegations were extensive and entirely false. The allegations included sexual harassment, toxic leadership, and inappropriate behavior. I had nothing to hide and knew there was nothing truly substantial, so my first reaction was to talk directly to the investigating officer without considering the medium (written, verbal, phone call) of questioning. My TDS attorney was helpful, but without Mr. Meili's involvement and guidance, I don't know if I would have received a favorable outcome. In my investigation, 2 of 10 allegations were substantiated and the investigating officer did not recommend punishment. Despite any of these encouraging preliminary findings, the ultimate decision maker is the Commanding General and his/her legal team. The CG will make their decisions for punishment - local GOMOR, permanent GOMOR, adoption of IO's findings - or something else entirely: DO NOT proceed without expert legal advice. There are many nuances that Mr. Meili navigated with ease due to his years of experience and 'know how' of just how the system - SJA, BJA and Judge Advocates generally work and make recommendations and decisions. Do not hesitate to engage Mr. Meili's services... if you have any doubts, have a simple conversation with him about your case. Disability Evaluation System (DES) RepresentationMay 2022Client wishes to remain anonymous Hiring Mr. Meili has proved to be one of the most important and worthwhile decisions I have ever made. Not long ago, I began what I hoped would be a career in the military, but as I dove in headfirst and began life on an active duty Army installation the reality of my experiences took a hard left. Before long, I felt extremely trapped in a negative environment. I was isolated from any friends and felt targeted by toxic leadership. I began to lose hope, and felt like I was simply a tiny cog in the massive machine of the military. And so I desperately began to seek some sort of help or assistance in how to salvage my future. At first I sought escape through unhealthy and potentially dangerous means. I truly was at a dark place in my life; one I had never been to before and felt I had no way out. Unfortunately, I think these feelings are all too common in the military, especially among young service members like myself. The greatest turn of events came about when I gave Mr. Meili a call, as I finally searched for help the proper way. He represented a glimmer of hope as I had previously been consumed with desperation. Mr. Meili instantly provided hope and reassurance thanks to his vast knowledge and experience with the legal proceedings of the military. I no longer felt like merely a number and my hope for the future was reestablished thanks to Mr. Meili's professionalism and expertise in navigating military law. Mr. Meili advocated for me when I was misled by a military behavioral health officer. He reassured me of my rights and what I am entitled to as a member of the military. Mr. Meili even contacted officers directly in my brigade on my behalf, ensuring I receive the proper care. Having Mr. Meili on board not only assured me that no high ranking officer would pull the wool over my eyes, but it was a reassurance that my best interests would always be taken care of. I went from being entirely alone to finally having a team being assembled around me, all thanks to Mr. Meili. I now am receiving the proper care and treatment given my behavioral health situation, and if I had not hired Mr. Meili I believe I may have fallen through the cracks of the Army. I was truly desperate and in one of the worst positions of my life before reaching out to Mr. Meili. Throughout the process, he constantly communicated with me and updated me on my case. He has truly cared about my well-being as a human, not just a uniformed member of the military. If you find yourself truly trapped and with nowhere to go the same way I did, you ought to give Mr. Bill Meili a call. His legal counsel, professionalism and confidence, and overall life wisdom will make a whole world of difference. It most certainly has in my case. IRR TransferPosted by MikeMay 17, 2022 To date, Mr. Meili has done an amazing job with my IRR Transfer Request case! Our work together began shortly after I left a pretty detailed email in regards to my situation where there was joint confusion on some of my service obligations within my ROTC scholarship contract and rapport within my previous leadership and how those were potentially negatively affecting my requests to be transferred into the IRR as I was previously denied. Mr. Meili responded back to my situation and inquiry very rapidly, I believe within the first hour of when I sent the email. From then, we immediately began talking over the phone and identifying how he could potentially help me in my request to get approved for a transfer into the IRR. Mr. Meili's network, and span of communication amongst high level leadership still within the military helped out tremendously. Mr. Meili was very patient, yet diligent, and relentless in pursuing the best avenues of approach and plans of attack in hopes for a favorable outcome in my request. He went as far back as reaching out to and communicating with my commissioning source and personnel from my ROTC program in college dating back to 2014 to help clear up any confusion and get everybody on board, including myself with what was actually expected of me and how the requirements and obligations could still be met, all while identifying how the Army, my unit, and my request could be favorable for all parties involved. Throughout this process, Mr. Meili has also restored good and positive rapport between my unit and I. He is a wealth of knowledge and knows the system, regulations, stipulations, and law to the letter. Mr. Meili is also very good on keeping his clients updated on the work and progress of the case as he touches base and even sends a sit-rep (situation report) just about every day so that one is always in the know. I do not believe that more than two days have gone by since when we have started that he has not touched base with me and kept me posted on progress and sharing visibility on what he is working on in regards to my case, behind the scenes. I have no complaints about whatsoever when it comes to Mr. Meili and how he has helped me in my case. Mr. Meili has already built great rapport with my unit and has already received verbal confirmation that my IRR transfer request will be approved and processed. Once the ink dries on the paperwork, it will be a mission success! Working with Mr. Meili has been a smooth process and I am so happy that I hired him. Strong AllyPosted by AnonymousOctober 26, 2021 Bill was great to work with. He carefully listened to my problem with the Navy and helped create an action plan to navigate my legal troubles. He was very accessible and explained possible scenario outcomes. In the end, I got the resolution I wanted and I'm thankful that Bill was with me along the way to shine the light in the darkness. Navy Ensign Hopeless Situation ResolvedNavy Ensign's Hopeless Situation Resolved with NPQ chit, Redesignation and Reclassification through a POCR BoardJanuary 24th, 2019 About one year into my service in the Navy, I became sick with an unknown allergy that was specific to my geographic location. Despite multiple civilian doctors asserting their professional opinions that my issues were caused by my location, my command and medical clinic would not move me. Instead, I was placed on hold status with the hopes I would get better. Having never experienced this before and overcome by the dizziness and recurring infections brought on by my condition, I struggled for a long time with what course of action to take. It was when I had been on hold for almost an entire year that I reached a breaking point and knew I needed to take action. I stumbled upon Bill Meili's website — www.meililaw.com — while searching for military lawyer expertise and set up a face-to-face meeting with him. He took the time to listen to my entire story from start to finish, careful to take down every detail. It was clear from the start that he related and sympathized with me - he truly cared for what I was going through. Having been stuck in a stalemate for months (my physical and mental health deteriorating and my career stalling) he helped me sort through a multitude of options I did not realize I had at my disposal and to weigh the benefits and drawbacks of each. Together, we made a plan based on this information that would help move things forward for me. Along the way, he reached out to significant contacts at my command and sources of information on his end to keep me properly informed and making the correct decisions for my well-being throughout the process. Fast forward 3 months and my command had granted me a Not Physically Qualified (NPQ) chit and written me orders to a new location and new designator that will keep me out of that region for the rest of my time in the service. I fortunately avoided a MEDBOARD and resignation of my commission, two options that I held as last resorts. I received re-assignment through a Probationary Officer Continuation and Redesignation Board (POCR) and have been reclassified into a new community. My issues have improved tremendously and my career is back on the right track moving forward. Before I met Bill, my situation seemed hopeless. I was overcome by a sense of helplessness that can be brought on by being part of such a large organization like the military. When I hired him, though, everything changed. I was expecting a lawyer; not only did I get an excellent one but also a partner with whom to navigate my seemingly impossible situation. I would have done anything to get out of the circumstance I found myself in and knowing that Bill was on speed dial to help me navigate whatever challenges each new day brought can only be described as priceless. Should anything ever go awry for me again in the future, Bill will be my first call! ENS, USN Recoupment Action and Remission of DebtRemission of Debt to the United States Navy for a Former Navy EnsignRecently, my life was turned upside down. After dedicating four years of my life to military service, I was notified that I would be separated and discharged from the United States Navy due to a health issue. Additionally, the Navy recommended recoupment; that I pay back all educational and related benefits for those four years. The amount was simply overwhelming. I was truly fortunate that a family member got me in touch with the office of Mr. William C. Meili. Since my first phone call to his office, I knew I was dealing with the ultimate professional. His office staff was courteous and hospitable, taking a genuine interest in my case and understanding my need for expediency. Mr. Meili himself was prompt in getting back to me, and after our first conversation he made it clear that he truly cared about my case. Again, being the ultimate professional, he took time to research and investigate my case before taking me on as a client. He was in no rush to send me any type of bill, he simply wanted to ensure that his representation of me was truly in my best interest. In his billing and negotiation with me, he was always fair, upfront, and transparent about why I was paying what I was paying, and exactly what I was paying for. His expertise in dealing with the civilian and military legal systems, his vast network of contacts and expert staff members, and most importantly his fierce dedication to his clients were what made it clear to me that I needed him on my team. After Mr. Meili came on board, he kept me informed every step of the way and let me know that I was never out of his attention or off of his desk. His determination to investigate and work the case for me only heightened after he joined my team. Throughout my entire process, he was diligent, supportive, and respectful. There are not words to express how much easier my life became and the weight that was lifted for my family when Mr. Meili joined my team and we no longer had to fight the case alone. If I could go back, the only thing I would do differently would be to get Mr. Meili on my team from day one. You will not find a more dedicated representative anywhere in the legal system. If Mr. Meili offers to represent you, it is only because he knows that he can get things done in your case. If that offer does come, your only question should be when he can start! - ENS, MC, USN IG Whistleblower Reprisal ComplaintDefense of a Senior Army Officer Targeted by a Whistle Blower Reprisal ComplaintDuring the performance of my official duties, I was wrongly accused by a colleague, which prompted an Inspector General (IG) whistleblower reprisal investigation. As a senior military officer, these charges and the resulting investigation were extremely unsettling for me and my family and they significantly threatened my military and professional career. I had previously witnessed first-hand the level of professionalism and expertise provided by Colonel (Ret.) Bill Meili to his clients when he represented a military physician facing a Show Cause elimination action. Based on that experience with Bill, I called him immediately for representation on my situation. Bill was a God-send. He immediately provided confidence and reassurance. He walked me through the entire whistleblower reprisal process, helping me to focus and prepare for the questions and investigation in a manner that I simply could not have done alone. He interacted with the IG on my behalf and was present with me before, during and after the interview. The attention to detail, insights and guidance Bill provided throughout the work we did together were remarkable. Bill Meili helped me and my family immensely, and I recommend him wholeheartedly. He is a great American and someone I now call a friend for life. Client wishes to remain anonymous. For contact information, please call our office. AWOL14 Years Away Before Returning to Military ControlWords cannot express how good of a lawyer Bill Meili is. I had an AWOL case hanging over my head for 14 years. Before I contacted Bill, I called multiple lawyers to handle the case. It seemed most of them just wanted to prove that it was a complicated situation so they could take a huge amount of money from me. Bill, on the other hand, was very caring and actually wanted to solve my problem before even talking about money. Bill did an amazing job! He handled all issues and the necessary defense paperwork and briefs, traveled numerous times to Fort Sill and Fort Hood, Texas, and overall made sure I was safe and that my case was being properly handled by the government. Without a doubt Bill is not only committed and dedicated to his work, he is an honest, caring and a loving person. His experience and knowledge got me out of the Army with an administrative discharge. There were other similar cases to mine on the base which ended up with jail time for those soldiers. I was so glad that I had Bill Meili on my side to take care of me. I am sure if it was not for Bill, I would have had the same results as others and ended up with a federal conviction. I recommend anyone and everyone who needs any assistance — no matter how tough the situation is — call Bill Meili without any hesitation. You will appreciate it and will have no regret in your life. - Client wishes to remain anonymous Eighty-Two Thousand Dollar Debt CancelledWRONGFUL DISCHARGE AND EIGHTY-TWO THOUSAND DOLLAR DEBT CANCELLED - NAVY ENSIGNWhen I was discharged from the Navy in late 2012, after an excellent track record as a commissioned officer and a passion for my job in Naval Aviation, I was devastated. Although this was bad enough, over a year later I received a debt notice saying I owed over $80,000 to the government to recoup my college expenses because I had not served enough time as a commissioned officer to justify free tuition. Although I knew I should not have to pay the money if justice prevailed, I panicked and realized I could not fight this on my own. I started looking at lawyers online and calling them, mostly ones advertising themselves as "military specialists" or "retired JAGs." However, because my case was so specialized - dealing with administrative separation, Medical Boards, Defense Finance and Accounting, and a host of other specialized departments – none of these lawyers really knew what to do with my case. That is, until I stumbled across Bill Meili's website. His website described EXACTLY what I needed, and I could tell he had the experience and track record to help me. Amazingly, soon afterwards I was recommended to him by a highly respected law firm that was too busy to handle my case. All of these signs led me to believe he was the right man for the job. After at least an hour (no charge) of discussing my case with Bill, I decided to hire him. Although he is not cheap, he was willing to negotiate to a reasonable price. And let me tell you he is worth every penny and more. He worked tirelessly on my case for nearly a year, collecting mounds of information, analyzing that information, and fitting it all together. I did not physically see any results until last week – and those results were amazing. He had taken an incredibly complex case and put it into one of the most well-written and refined official documents I've ever seen. He was also very personable and communicative. He did not just let me sit in the dark wondering how my case was faring - he actively called, texted, and emailed at least once a week to keep me updated and receive input from me. He made a conscious effort to meet in person with me and my family, which provided even more trust and rapport between lawyer/client. Finally, he has so many of the right connections that he was able to reach the most appropriate person (a JAG working for the top echelon in the Navy) with my case, and explain it to him person to person. The result of all of these wonderful qualities is that I have transitioned from panic to confidence that my case will be fairly heard, and decided upon. Fair Winds, C. H. - South Texas Minimizing Career DamagePreventative and Investigatory RepresentationThe following testimonial was received by our office the other day. This is a special case testimonial. What we do in these situations is to find out what the problem is from the ground up. What is really going on - the triggers, the culture of the particular unit and branch, and the personalities of the players involved on both sides. With that as foundation, we go about practicing preventative medicine as it were in order to minimize damage and prevent further difficulties for the client. In this one, we were able to do that. - Bill Meili Mr. Bill Meili is very responsive and extremely professional. During our initial consultation, he took his time to understand the underlying issues of my situation and didn't rush. I had fallen on the wrong side of my chain of command and didn't know who to trust, which was a new situation for me. Although not a typical case, Mr. Meili quickly put me at ease and gave me solid counsel and advice to navigate my situation successfully. As a result, I was able to get off the radar of my chain of command and minimize damage to my career. Any time I had a question or a request, he responded promptly. There was never any ambiguity as to the next step or any questions about Mr. Meili's responsiveness and care for my situation. Without his counsel — and the trust he inspired — I'm sure I would have stayed on the chain of command's radar and attracted some additional form of adverse, administrative separation action, at least. I would highly recommend contacting Mr. Meili before, during, or after any potential adverse action you might be facing. - An Active Duty Officer DFAS and Health Professions Scholarship Program Solution for a DoctorBill Meili Helps Doctor Regain Peace of MindAfter several years and many unsuccessful attempts to get answers from the Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS), and the U.S. military generally, regarding the settlement of a medical school student debt I incurred as part of the Health Professions Scholarship Program (HPSP), I finally looked for someone who might be able to help. I wish I would have looked sooner, because when I first spoke to Mr. Bill Meili, I knew he had the experience, knowledge and personality required to get those answers. Bill's insights into military matters immediately showed progress. He quickly found the right people to talk to, knew the best way to communicate with them, then reported back to me with full explanations as well as best options and strategies to move forward. He navigated the bureaucratic maze with great finesse and tact, and applied just the right amount of persistence and patience required for a successful outcome. More importantly, his generous personal attention gave me great peace of mind and confidence, and made me feel truly cared for. With Mr. Meili as my advocate, my government debt is now settled, and my credit, and peace of mind are restored. I highly recommend Bill and his firm to any service member struggling to settle any matter with the military. Dr.C Young Marine with Extended UA avoids OTHI had almost given up hope on my chances of staying in the Marine Corps, being able to finish out my contract, and leaving with an honorable discharge given my circumstances. Colonel William C. (Bill) Meili went above and beyond working my case. He successfully fought an almost certain administrative separation, after my nearly 14 month Unauthorized Absence (UA), which was terminated by apprehension. But he also saw to it that my court-martial charges were withdrawn, and that my NJP protected and preserved my rank. He explained and mitigated my circumstances fully, personally meeting with my commanders several times in order to fully explain the facts of my case. If it had not been for Colonel Meili I would have been processed out with an other than honorable (OTH) discharge. Without Colonel Meili's expert assistance I would not be in the position I find myself in today... And for that I have the utmost respect for him and his abilities as a military defense attorney. - WJ Medically DischargedPossibility of Recall ConcernThe following testimonial comes by way of our contact form from a person medically discharged from the service but was concerned about the possibility of recall. I recently was medically discharged from the service but was concerned about the possibility of recall since I still have my commission. I researched on the Internet and located the law offices website of Attorney Bill Meili and submitted my question on the contact form. Within 5 minutes he called me and asked several questions to establish my personal circumstances and determine the likelihood of being subject to involuntary mobilization and recall in view of them. We determined that no further action was necessary at this time, but I am glad to know he will be able to assist me in the future with this legal issue if the situation changes. His response was prompt, courteous, professional, and very commendable. Respectfully, JF While we cannot always respond within five minutes, we will respond as quickly as we are able. - Bill Meili Line of Duty (LOD) Re-investigationsThe following testimonial comes from the widow of a Reserve senior NCO who committed suicide shortly after returning from overseas deployment In the fall of 2012, I found myself seeking an attorney's help. I had been a military widow for a year and in that year I had become very frustrated with the conduct of my late husband's command. I had been waiting for the Line of Duty determination to be completed. It was frustrating because it appeared no one had the necessary knowledge or skills to conduct the investigation in a timely or thorough manner. Once I did get the determination my fears were realized. My husband's death was found to be NOT in the Line of Duty as a result of Willful Misconduct. The circumstances of his death made this determination almost impossible. I could not fathom how they reached that conclusion. I decided I could not let the decision stand as my husband had invested a combined 18 1/2 years in the USMC and then the Air Force Reserves. He had done that to ensure our family was taken care of and part of that plan was retirement from the military. With this determination those years were now wasted. I also was not going to allow that to stand on his military record. After talking to a few different attorneys I found Bill Meili. I met with him in his office and he had told me it would be about a 45 minute consultation. I ended up being there for 2 1/2 hours. I knew I had found a person who cared about what I cared about which was justice and doing what is right. We only had 45 days to appeal the decision but he was able to argue that notifications were not correct and due process demanded we have more time. He established communication with the command and through the next six months worked exhaustively on the case leaving no room for doubt that the initial determination was incorrect. It did take almost a year but we were able to reverse the LOD decision to In Line of Duty. I knew I had a meritorious case and I found the right attorney to help me prevail. Bill Meili supported me and my family through a very trying time and I will be forever grateful. He is a dedicated, experienced and committed attorney. He helped me overcome my fears, find my voice, exert my power and find justice for my husband and my family. KN |
