David Peterson stands out as a highly skilled attorney, bringing a wealth of experience from both his military and legal careers. With a background that spans service in the Utah and Ohio National Guard, a juris doctorate from the University of Toledo College of Law, and over two decades in various military and legal roles, Mr. Peterson is uniquely positioned to obtain meaningful results for his clients.
Mr. Peterson’s military career began in 1998 when he enlisted in the Utah Army National Guard as a 13B (Howitzer Cannon Crewmember). During his studies at Brigham Young University and later at the University of Toledo, he continued his military service, culminating in a deployment to support Operation Enduring Freedom at Royal Air Force Base Mildenhall in the UK. This experience sparked his interest in military justice, particularly the role of defense counsel, where he excelled at advocating for his clients against the “military machine.”
In 2006, after commissioning and passing the Utah State Bar, Mr. Peterson served as an active duty judge advocate at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, now known as Fort Liberty. There he made significant contributions to the community. His leadership at Fort Bragg’s Tax Center saved over two million dollars in tax preparation fees and facilitated over twenty million dollars in tax return refunds. When offered a role as a defense counsel, Mr. Peterson seized the opportunity, providing robust legal defense for a wide range of military cases, from AWOL to premeditated murder, yielding favorable outcomes for his clients.
His expertise in digital crimes, stemming from his time at Microsoft, allowed him to navigate complex digital evidence with ease, giving him an edge in the courtroom. His clear communication skills and ability to simplify complex legal concepts on both direct examination and cross examination of digital experts made him a highly effective advocate and educator.
From 2008 to 2013, Mr. Peterson served in key roles, including as the senior prosecutor for V Corps and United States Army-Europe (USAREUR), where he supervised multiple prosecutors. His expertise in administrative law became invaluable as he reviewed hundreds of investigations, providing expert advice on senior leader misconduct, financial liability investigations, and numerous other administrative processes. He knows administrative investigations and their pitfalls from the inside out; he can take them apart because he knows what it takes to put them together.
In 2015, Mr. Peterson was promoted to Major and earned an LL.M. in General Military Law from The Judge Advocate General’s Legal Center and School in Charlottesville, Virginia. His publication, “So You’re Saying There’s A Chance? Navigating Evaluation Appeals,” in *The Army Lawyer* (August 2017), underscores his ability to guide clients through complex appeals processes.
Mr. Peterson’s career transitioned from active duty to private practice in 2018, joining the Peterson Consulting Group of Utah and subsequently the Law Office of Jocelyn C. Stewart, Corp as Of Counsel in 2020. Mr. Peterson was selected for promotion to Lieutenant Colonel, and he supervises reserve trial defense counsel in the West. From 2023 to 2024, Mr. Peterson accepted the opportunity to mobilize to assist in defending service members and in supervising dozens of uniformed defense attorneys.
His focus on combating administrative actions, preserving careers, and securing retirements makes him an invaluable asset to clients seeking expert legal guidance.
With a proven track record of success in military and legal arenas, David Peterson is the advocate you want in your corner, whether you’re facing complex legal challenges, navigating military justice, or seeking expert consultation in government relations. Both his commitment to his clients and his deep understanding of both military and legal systems ensure you’re in capable hands when you choose David Peterson.