Over 130 Years of Military & Military Law Experience!
O’Connell West, PLLC, located in the heart of San Antonio, is dedicated to assisting service members and their families with their legal challenges.
Our team of lawyers, paralegals and legal assistants is comprised of retired military officers, former Judge Advocate officers and Non-Commissioned Officers. Some of our Attorneys still serve as JAGs in the Reserves.
Led by Colonel (Retired) Doug O’Connell, OC-West focuses on representing military service members and veterans. Doug is a retired Special Forces (Green Beret) officer and a nationally recognized attorney and Texas Super Lawyer known for his tenacious advocacy on behalf of service members and their families.

Military Law
OC-West handles all aspects of military law – UCMJ actions, investigations administrative separations, security clearance issues and more. Our team of experienced military law attorneys have decades of experience and know the best approach to help you with your situation.
Family Law
Divorce, adoption, child custody, prenuptial/postnuptial agreements all become more complicated in the context of military service. Service members need an attorney that has served in uniform to really understand the implications of the situation. Often civilian family law attorneys cannot appreciate the nuances of military systems and processes.
Criminal Law
When service members get arrested or charged by local law enforcement there are collateral military consequences. You need a criminal defense attorney that can not only mitigate the situation on this civilian side but also understands and can anticipate how your chain of command will view the criminal charges.
Why Choose a San Antonio Based Military Law Attorney?
When your entire future and career are on the line, you need an attorney who will take the time to meet with you in person and truly understand your situation.
WE KNOW THE BATTLEFIELD!
Choosing a San Antonio military law attorney over a national firm that works remotely offers several advantages, especially for military personnel facing legal issues. As San Antonio based attorneys, we have a deeper understanding of the battlefield. We know the San Antonio military installations, commands, and legal nuances in the area, which can be critical for cases under the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ). We’ve likely have dealt with and know the tendencies of local military judges, prosecutors, and commanders which gives OC-West a distinct advantage when navigating courts-martial, administrative actions, or investigations.
Since we’re located in San Antonio, we can also provide in-person representation, which is often more effective for building trust with our clients and the local commands. Being physically present allows OC-West attorneys to attend hearings, meet with you directly, and engage with the military community in ways a remote firm cannot replicate. Our proximity leads to faster communication and a more personalized approach, especially in high-stakes situations like a court-martial where timing and relationships matter.
Additionally, our attorneys are better equipped to handle Texas-specific legal issues that may intersect with military law, such as divorce, child custody, or property disputes, which often require knowledge of local laws and courts. For instance, military divorce cases might involve the Uniformed Services Former Spouses’ Protection Act, and a local lawyer will know how Texas courts interpret it.
Likewise, a national firm working remotely will have to travel to appear in person increasing fees and expenses passed onto the client. We don’t charge extra to appear in person.
Our hometown San Antonio presence ensures hands-on, personalized representation for clients in the JB-San Antonio area.
We can leverage our deep understanding of JBSA legal systems and the local legal dynamics to produce excellent results for service members assigned to Fort Sam Houston, Lackland Air Force Base, Randolph Air Force Base Camp Bullis and Brooke Army Medical Center.
San Antonio
South Texas Office
222 Main Plaza
San Antonio, Texas 78205
Call Us Today