Area Defense Counsel assists Airmen Published Feb. 12, 2009 LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. -- When military members find themselves facing legal difficulties there is an agency on base to turn to for assistance. That agency is the office of the Area Defense Counsel. The ADC office is staffed by one defense attorney, Capt. Michael Kerr, and one defense paralegal, Staff Sgt. Lisa Lexow. The purpose of the ADC is to provide confidential legal defense services to active-duty members involved in disciplinary actions. Such actions include courts-martial, nonjudicial punishments under Article 15 of the Uniformed Code of Military Justice, administrative discharges, administrative demotions, and other administrative actions, such as letters of counseling and letters of reprimand. Furthermore, the ADC provides legal advice to military members who are likely to be adversely affected by referral enlisted performance reports, reports of survey, line-of-duty determinations, accident investigations and flying evaluation boards. These services are provided free of charge. The ADC has a responsibility to zealously defend all clients, said Captain Kerr. Information will only be released when it is intended to be disclosed as part of the defense. All other discussions between the military member and the ADC are held in strict confidence. The ADC is an independent tenant unit assigned to the Air Force Legal Operations Agency. As such, it is not subject to the command structure of the 56th Fighter Wing, 19th Air Force, or Air Education and Training Command. "Air Force members should always remember there is an independent attorney on their side," Captain Kerr said. "Members who are the subject of an investigation have the absolute constitutional right to remain silent and request an attorney." The office is located in Bldg. 1150, Suite 3015. For more information concerning services provided by the ADC, call (623) 896-6701. Courtesy of the Luke Area Defense Counsel