When service members look for a lawyer, they want more than a list of ranks and degrees. They want someone who knows what it feels like to stand watch, to answer to a chain of command, and to navigate the pressure of decisions that can change a career. That lived experience shaped Marshall Griffin’s path from Coast Guard officer to military attorney, and it still guides the way he defends service members today.
In the short video below, Marshall shares that journey in his own words—how a Tennessee native found his calling at sea, then in the courtroom, and why he built a practice focused on helping military members through some of the hardest moments of their lives.
How A Coast Guard Career Turned Into A Calling
In the video, Marshall starts with a simple statement that says a lot about who he is: “I had an amazing career in the United States Coast Guard. I loved every minute of it, I really did.” That sense of gratitude and pride runs through his story.
He talks about discovering the afloat community early on, even though he grew up far from the ocean: “Being from Tennessee, I really didn't have an awareness of what seagoing vessels were, what that life was about. I got introduced to that very early in my career in the Coast Guard, and I made a choice. That's what I wanted to pursue.”
That choice led to a series of operational tours that give him a deep understanding of life at sea. His service includes time as a Deck Watch Officer onboard USCGC MADRONA (WLB 302) and USCGC OAK (WLB 211), Executive Officer onboard USCGC NEAH BAY (WTGB 105), and Commanding Officer of USCGC PENOBSCOT BAY (WTGB 107). Along the way, he earned his permanent Cutterman designation in 2009 and his 200-ton Master's license in the U.S. Merchant Marine in 2007.
Where Passion For Defense Work Began
About halfway through his Coast Guard career, Marshall’s path shifted. As he explains in the video, “About halfway through my career, I had the opportunity to go to law school and become a judge advocate in the United States Coast Guard. There I was really introduced to my passion, and that's defending service members in administrative or criminal contexts.”
That passion did not come from theory alone. After earning his law degree from Regent University, he served as a Coast Guard JAG, prosecuting numerous felony criminal cases and helping train unit commanders to fight sexual assault. He later served as Staff Judge Advocate for more than 40 Court-Martial Convening Authorities, where he advised on hundreds of misconduct cases that ranged from minor offenses to homicide.
During a detail to the U.S. Navy Defense Service Office, Southeast, he moved to the other side of the aisle and found what truly drove him. There he defended service members accused of fraud, rape, sexual assault, and a wide variety of drug abuses. That work cemented his commitment to military criminal defense and gave him a clear view of how the system treats both the government and the accused.
Skills From The Fleet & The Courtroom
Marshall describes his tour as a Navy defense counsel as a turning point in how he approaches each case. In his words, he “learned a lot about how to assert rights, how to communicate with people, how to develop cases.” Those lessons show up in his work every day.
Today, he brings that experience to The Griffin Law Firm, where he focuses on defending service members in administrative and criminal settings across the military justice system. The same skills he honed in uniform—standing up for clients, building strong case strategies, and speaking clearly with people at every rank—now serve military clients facing courts-martial, misconduct allegations, and other serious career threats.
His formal credentials reflect the breadth of his practice. Marshall graduated from The University of Tennessee in 2001 with a B.A. in Sociology with a concentration in Criminal Justice. He gained admission to the Virginia Bar in 2014 and the D.C. Bar in 2022. He is certified to practice before Courts of the U.S. Military and admitted to practice before Courts of the Commonwealth of Virginia, the Federal District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, and The Supreme Court of the United States.
Why His Story Matters To Military Clients
At The Griffin Law Firm, we focus on the legal issues that affect active duty members, reservists, and veterans. Our clients often face court-martial charges, administrative separations, security clearance concerns, or VA benefits appeals. In those moments, they want a lawyer who knows the regulations and the reality of military life.
Marshall’s background bridges those worlds. He has stood watch as a Deck Watch Officer, led crews as a Commanding Officer, prosecuted serious criminal cases as a JAG, and defended service members when everything felt at risk. That mix of experience gives him a practical understanding of how decisions get made at every level—on the bridge, in the wardroom, and in the courtroom.
His approach matches our firm’s client-centered values. We use predictable flat-rate pricing and clear communication to help clients manage stress and uncertainty. He adds to that with a calm, straightforward style and a focus on asserting rights, explaining options in plain language, and building cases methodically.
Getting To Know Marshall Before You Call
Reading a biography can tell you where someone served or which courts they appear in. Watching Marshall speak about his Coast Guard career and his work at The Griffin Law Firm gives a fuller picture. You hear how much he valued serving with “so many amazing people” and how that experience shaped the way he advocates for clients now.
If you are a service member or veteran facing a legal challenge, the video offers a first look at the person who may stand beside you. You will see someone who loved his time in uniform, found his passion in defending others, and now uses that background to guide people through some of the hardest chapters of their careers.
When you are ready to talk about your own situation, you can reach our team at (888) 707-4282. Until then, take a few minutes to watch Marshall’s story. It is the quickest way to get a sense of who you will meet on the other end of the line—and how seriously we take the responsibility of standing up for those who serve.