Author Archives: John Gately

We will spend several hours the night before your formal hearing supplementing all of our previous telephonic, written and electronic case preparation. This is the time when I will walk you through all aspects of how the board will proceed the following day- including voir dire of board members, opening statements, the presentation of evidence, […]

We will spend several hours the night before your formal hearing supplementing all of our previous telephonic, written and electronic case preparation. This is the time when I will walk you through all aspects of how the board will proceed the following day- including voir dire of board members, opening statements, the presentation of evidence, […]

The Air Force FPEB has now effectively standardized my customary practice of submitting formal case outlines with exhibits in order to determine whether a summary decision- an “on the record “decision- may be granted.  It is critical that you and your attorney ensure that this information is provided to the FPEB at least 72 hours […]

Prior to every formal hearing, I always provide board members with an overview of our case that outlines our goals and discusses the evidence supporting our contentions.  For every condition that you seek to have found unfitting at a formal hearing, it is necessary for us to provide board members with a clear, cogent analysis […]

In Navy PEB cases, I always file a formal reconsideration petition prior to formal hearings. This is a “second bite at the apple” should your initial reconsideration petition be denied on the IPEB level.  If our petition is granted, then we will receive a summary decision- an “on the record decision”.  If it is not […]

In Navy PEB cases, I always file a formal reconsideration petition prior to formal hearings. This is a “second bite at the apple” should your initial reconsideration petition be denied on the IPEB level.  If our petition is granted, then we will receive a summary decision- an “on the record decision”.  If it is not […]

Prior to every formal hearing, I always provide board members with an overview of our case that outlines our goals and discusses the evidence supporting our contentions.  For every condition that you seek to have found unfitting at a formal hearing, it is necessary for us to provide board members with a clear, cogent analysis […]

For a witness to be effective, he or she must be prepared regarding the questions that you will ask, as well as those that you expect the board members to ask.  In Coast Guard cases, you must also anticipate the questions that your opponent will ask.  Any witness that I call in your case will […]

For a witness to be effective, he or she must be prepared regarding the questions that you will ask, as well as those that you expect the board members to ask.  In Coast Guard cases, you must also anticipate the questions that your opponent will ask.  Any witness that I call in your case will […]

This week’s hearings drove home a critical lesson- when health care providers question the frequency and consistency with which clients display symptoms of orthopedic and neurological complaints, it is vital to have nonmedical evidence witnesses testify live or via speakerphone on these points.  Today I had a very salty prior enlisted “black shoe” testify in […]