Eric S. Montalvo
Top rated Military & Veterans Law attorney in Washington, Washington DC
Federal Practice Group
Practice Areas: Military & Veterans Law, Government Contracts, Appellate view more
Licensed in Washington DC since: 2010
Education: Temple University Beasley School of Law
Selected to Super Lawyers: 2019 - 2024 
Selected to Rising Stars: 2016 Federal Practice Group
801 17th St NWSuite 250
Washington, DC 20006 Phone: 202-862-4360 Email: Eric S. Montalvo Visit website
Details
Mr. Eric S. Montalvo, a founding partner of the firm, has earned an international reputation as an aggressive, thorough and respected trial attorney familiar with the overwhelming nature of complex litigation and associated media strategies. Mr. Montalvo currently maintains a Top Secret/SCI security clearance. Mr. Montalvo has been recognized as a national leader in military law.
Mr. Montalvo, a “Mustang,” retired from active duty after serving 21 years in the United States Marine Corps which included combat tours during Desert Shield/Storm and Operation Iraqi Freedom, deployments to Afghanistan and duties which ranged from prosecution, defense, command advisor, representing the U.S. Department of Justice as a Special Assistant to the U.S. Attorney for Parris Island before the United States District Court for the District of South Carolina, and service before the Military Commissions.
Mr. Montalvo focuses his practice on complex litigation matters, government contracts, military law, and international dispute resolution. His firm focuses on the unique bodies of law that the U.S. Federal Government has created.
Mr. Montalvo undertakes work in Afghanistan and abroad, navigating language and cultural barriers, interpreting complex international law and unprecedented issues, working directly with members of Congress, foreign embassies, foreign governmental ministries, Department of Justice attorneys, and President Obama’s Guantanamo Bay Task Force and Detainee Review team.
After graduating with honors with a Bachelor of Science in Business Management from the University of South Carolina, Eric Montalvo received his Juris Doctor degree from Temple University School of Law with honors. While pursuing his law degree, he served as a judicial clerk for the Honorable Nitza I. Quinones Alejandro and interned with the Legal Clinic for the Disabled, the Camden Public Defender’s Office, and the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office. He also participated in Temple University’s study abroad program in Greece, where he focused his studies on international law.
Practice areas
Military/Veterans Law, Government Contracts, Appellate, Criminal Defense: White Collar, International, Professional Liability: PlaintiffFirst Admitted: 2002, Washington DC
Professional Webpage: http://www.fedpractice.com/meet_our_team/eric-s-montalvo/
Educational Background:
- Temple University Beasley School of Law
- University of South Carolina - BS Management Science
Verdicts/Settlements (Case Results):
- Army v. Captain: Captain, who was a medical officer, faced a Board of Inquiry for substandard performance and misconduct. The officer was retained.
- Protest of RANA Technologies Enterprises (2018)- Eric Montalvo successfully represented an unsuccessful offeror in a bid protest of a subcontract award before the Government Accountability Office (GAO). Within days of filing the protest, the Government issued a notice of corrective action, which inter alia, identified irregularities in the award, acknowledged that errors were made in the assignment, and ultimately resulted in the termination of the subcontract award., 2018
- Petition for Remission or Mitigation of Seizure (2017)- Eric Montalvo successfully represented a client in a request for remission or mitigation of funds seized as a result of an asset forfeiture matter from 2010. The government contracting team was able to demonstrate to the U.S. Postal Inspector Service that the funds seized seven years earlier were, in fact, traceable to a legitimate source and were remitted back to the client., 2017
- Zuhmat Group Construction (2016)- Eric Montalvo successfully represented a government contractor on appeal before the Armed Services Board of Contract Appeals. On appeal, we claimed that the contractor was entitled to compensation for delivery fees and invoices left outstanding on its delivered orders. After a summary proceeding before the Armed Services Board of Contract Appeals, the Administrative Judge issued a binding decision sustaining the contractor’s appeal of all four orders and granting the contractor full payment on its invoices, plus interest., 2016
- Marine Corps v. CWO3: CWO3 facing a Board of Inquiry for alleged misconduct related to government contracting was retained, and ultimately allowed to retire.
- Army v. Captain: Captain facing a Board of Inquiry for a prior General Officer Memorandum of Record permitted to honorably retire.
- Army v. CW2: CW2 facing a Board of Inquiry for a prior General Officer Memorandum of Record successfully retained.
- U.S. v. James Bowling, Craig Allan Kolhagen, and Dennis Pennington Craig Allan Kolhagen were represented by Eric Montalvo in which he and two others were indicted for wire fraud, major fraud against the United States and Mr. Kolhagen was independently charged with disclosing source selection information. Through motions practice, Mr. Montalvo and his team successfully argued for a dismissal of the indictment. Mr. Kolhagen was also confronted with being administratively separated from the Marine Corps as a result of the charges. Mr. Montalvo and his team contested the administrative separation and achieved a full retention recommendation and saved Mr. Kolhagen’s retirement.
- Captain Trey R. Sedenka v. Board for Correction of Naval Records Represented Captain Trey R. Sedenka before the Board for Correction of Naval Records (BCNR) in a case where the correction of Captain’s Sedenka’s naval record allowed him to recover the military incentive pay he was promised and was improperly denied upon his entry into the service. The Board found that an injustice had occurred and granted full relief.
- U.S. v. Javier Vicente Cuevas (2014)- SSG Javier Vicente Cuevas was charged with abusive sexual contact in violation of Article 120, UCMJ. After a several-day jury trial before a military panel, a full acquittal was secured. , 2014
- U.S. v. Juvenile - 15 year old charged as an adult with felony malicious wounding as a result of him stabbing the alleged victim in the heart. First trial ended in a mistrial due to juror misconduct and the second trial ended in a full aquittal., 2017
Bar/Professional Activity:
- United States Air Force Court of Criminal Appeals
- Department of Veterans Affairs Accredited Attorney
- United States Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces
- Navy and Marine Corps Court of Criminal Appeals
- United States Army Court of Criminal Appeals
- United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
- United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
- United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
- United States Court of Federal Claims
- United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit
- United States District and Bankruptcy Courts for the District of Columbia
- United States District Court for the District of New Jersey
- United States District Court for the District of South Carolina
- New Jersey
- United States Supreme Court
- Pennsylvania
- District of Columbia
Scholarly Lectures/Writings:
- "Operational Encroachment: Woodpeckers and Their Congressman" 20 Temp.Envtl.L.& Tech.J. 219 (2002).
- "The Constitutional Right to Marry…Fundamental Right or Façade? A review of the Constitutionality of military restrictions on the right to marry…and even if they could…whether they should." 52 Naval L. Rev. 239 (2005).
- 60 Days to Freedom - The Release and Repatriation of Mohammad Jawad, Military Law and the Law of War Review 48 1/2 (2009).
Other Outstanding Achievements:
- 2019 America's Top 100 Criminal Defense Attorneys, 2019
- 2018 ACQ Law Awards for Litigation Law Firm of the Year in the Washington, DC metropolitan area, 2018
- 2017 Distinguished Lawyer award from Expert Network, 2017
- 2017 Corporate INTL Global Award for the top military criminal defense firm of the year in the Washington, DC metropolitan area. , 2017
- 2021 Law Eagles of America , 2021
- 2018 Lawyer International Legal 100 award for the top military criminal defense law firm of the year in the Washington, DC metropolitan area. , 2018
- Eric S. Montalvo of The Federal Practice Group Worldwide Service, was nominated for an Emmy by the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences In 2016 the PBS Documentary “The Kill Team”, 2016
- Meritorious Service (2), Joint Service Commendation, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement (3), Combat Action, Navy Unit Commendation, Good Conduct (2), National Defense (2), South West Asia (4), Afghanistan Campaign (2), Iraq Campaign (2), Global War on Terrorism, Sea Service Deployment, NATO, Saudi Arabia for the Liberation of Kuwait, Kuwait Liberation
Videos:
- Attorney Eric Montalvo Speaks On Current Daniel Kinahan Situation, 2021
- Former Guantanamo prisoner comments on his case with lawyer, Eric Montalvo, 2009
- Eric Montalvo - Five Men Accused of Planning 9/11 Attacks Appear At Gitmo Tribunal, GITMO, Tribunal, Criminal Defense,, 2012
- "Kill Team" Lawyer Speaks Out, GITMO, Guantanamo, Military Defense, Military Criminal Defense, 2013
- Interview with Eric Montalvo, Lawyer in The Racketeering Case Against MTK and Daniel Kinahan, Racketeering, RICO, 2021
- Marijuana and Your Security Clearance, Government Clearance, Government, TS/SCI, Security Clearance,, 2017
Honors/Awards:
- Expertise.com's goal is to connect people with the best local experts. They scored Washington DC Criminal Defense Attorneys on more than 25 variables across five categories and analyzed the results to give potential clients a hand-picked list of the best. Selection Criteria: Availability Consistently approachable and responsive, so customers never feel ignored. Qualifications Building customer confidence with licensing, accreditations, and awards. Reputation A history of delighted customers and outstanding service. Experience Masters of their craft, based on years of practical experience and education. Professionalism Providing service with honesty, reliability, and respect., Best Criminal Defense Attorneys in Washington DC, Expertise.com, 2022
- The American Institute of Legal Counsel compiles an exclusive list of the “10 Best” Attorneys for each State and depending on population for Cities or Regions to be more applicable to potential new clients who utilize this site when looking for an Attorney. The “10 Best” is a prestigious honor for the Attorney as each Attorney must: Be formally nominated by the Institute, client, and/or fellow Attorney; Have attained the highest degree of professional achievement in his or her field of law; and Having done so with an impeccable Client Satisfaction rating. The American Institute of Legal Counsel rating system helps clients throughout the United States make educated decisions when it comes to choosing their attorney. Membership is an exclusive honor and extended only to those select few who have reached the top of their profession while doing so with the client’s satisfaction being of the most paramount importance. Mr. Montalvo was named to the Washington, DC 10 Best Attorneys - Client Satisfaction - Military Law Division, American Institute of Legal Counsel for 2017., 10 Best Attorneys - Client Statisfaction - Military Law Division, American Institute of Legal Counsel, 2017
- The nomination phase involves confidential forms being returned to us by individuals that are deemed as qualified by our research team. Our research department conducts extensive reviews, draws insight from business leaders throughout the world and takes suggestions over the proceeding 6 months to produce a shortlist of firms for each category. In particular we spend the last few months leading up to the award announcements working through tens of thousands of nomination forms that we receive back from the following sources: The readership of Corporate INTL magazine, which is distributed to over 70,000 individuals each month, all of which are either investors in business, leaders of companies or advisers for those businesses on a global level Our database of over 300,000 individual partners of law firms Our database of over 250,000 CFOs, CEOs and Directors of public & private businesses around the world Our database of over 50,000 in-house counsel of businesses operating publicly and privately, varying in size from private mid-market to leading publicly listed companies around the world The financial community, Investment Managers, Private Equity Investors, Investment Bankers, Hedge Fund Managers, Business Bankers, Asset Based Lenders and Wealthy Individuals The Specialist Advisory Community – PR Firms, Marketing & Business Development Professionals, Due Diligence Providers, Consultancy Firms, Property Advisers, Pension Firms, and other experts that assist businesses and advisers with the services they require to run their businesses, Global Award Winner - Military Criminal Defense Law Firm - DC, Corporate International, 2017
- GLE is a recommendation service and reference source profiling the leading partners and law firms for all key practice areas in over 140 countries. Businesses and individuals alike are able to locate and contact our listed individuals in their required jurisdiction for their specific needs without having to conduct costly and time consuming independent research. Each listed expert is a leading figure in their area of practice and many are affiliated with well known international networks / alliances. As a result this enables GLE to be used as an internal referral network for the law firms and partners profiled. GLE also acts as a portal for the legal community to keep up to date on current practice area news and relevant events / conferences all around the world., Global Law Expert - Annual Award Litigation, Global Law Expert, 2017
- The American Institute of Legal Counsel compiles an exclusive list of the “10 Best” Attorneys for each State and depending on population for Cities or Regions to be more applicable to potential new clients who utilize this site when looking for an Attorney. The “10 Best” is a prestigious honor for the Attorney as each Attorney must: Be formally nominated by the Institute, client, and/or fellow Attorney; Have attained the highest degree of professional achievement in his or her field of law; and Having done so with an impeccable Client Satisfaction rating. The American Institute of Legal Counsel rating system helps clients throughout the United States make educated decisions when it comes to choosing their attorney. Membership is an exclusive honor and extended only to those select few who have reached the top of their profession while doing so with the client’s satisfaction being of the most paramount importance. Mr, Montalvo was named to the Washington, DC 10 Best Attorneys - Client Satisfaction - Military Law Division, American Institute of Legal Counsel for 2016., 10 Best Attorneys - Client Satisfaction - Military Law Division, American Institute of Legal Counsel, 2016
Pro bono/Community Service:
- Teamed up with Three Branch Productions to offer pro bono services in promoting their documentary, "The Gift", the story of Corporal Dunham, a medal of honor recipient. The documentary is an important story of sacrifice, selflessness, and small unit leadership in our lifetime. , 2022
- Directly facilitated and coordinated the safe evacuation of thousands of Afghanistan families at risk under the resurgent Taliban by creating funding for private charter planes. , 2021
- In 2016 the Federal Practice Group drafted new Articles of Corporation and By-Laws for the Tuskegee Airmen Foundation so the organization could comply with the recent changes made by the District of Columbia Nonprofit Corporation Act of 2012. The FPG also helped the organization reinstated by the Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs Corporation Division.
- The District of Columbia Court of Appeals and the Superior Court of the District of Columbia each year acknowledges attorneys who provide a minimum of 50 hours of pro bono work in a year for those who could otherwise not afford legal representation.
Office location for Eric S. Montalvo
801 17th St NW
Suite 250
Washington, DC 20006
Selections
6 Years Super Lawyers
1 Year Rising Stars
- Super Lawyers: 2019 - 2024
- Rising Stars: 2016