Kevin Courtney Admitted to Practice Before the United States Court of Federal Claims

At Military Law Center, we are proud to announce that attorney Kevin Courtney has been admitted to practice before the United States Court of Federal Claims. This admission expands the range of services we can provide to service members, military retirees, and veterans seeking justice when their rights have been denied.

As a seasoned military lawyer and discharge upgrade lawyer, Kevin Courtney has long represented clients before administrative separation boards, discharge review boards, and correction boards. With admission to the Court of Federal Claims, he can now also serve as a federal claims lawyer, offering clients access to judicial remedies when administrative relief is not enough.

What is the U.S. Court of Federal Claims?

The United States Court of Federal Claims, located in Washington, D.C., hears monetary claims brought against the federal government. Its jurisdiction comes from specific money-mandating statutes — laws that entitle individuals to compensation if the government has acted unlawfully.

For service members, veterans, and military retirees, the most common categories include:

• Military back pay claims – under the Military Pay Act (37 U.S.C. § 204), when a service member alleges unlawful discharge or improper denial of pay.
• Retirement and disability pay disputes – when a correction of records would result in retirement pay or disability compensation being owed.
• Combat-Related Special Compensation (CRSC) claims – when CRSC has been improperly denied or calculated incorrectly, and a correction of records would entitle a retiree to payment.
• Correction of military records cases with financial impact – for example, when an improper discharge or erroneous record prevents a retiree or veteran from receiving benefits.

It is important to understand that a wrongful discharge claim cannot be brought to the Court of Federal Claims on its own. The court only has jurisdiction if the claim is tied to a statute that mandates monetary relief, most often the Military Pay Act. This makes careful preparation of the case at the administrative stage critical.

Why This Matters for Service Members, Veterans, and Military Retirees

Many cases begin in the military system:

• A service member appears before an Administrative Separation Board (ADSEP).
• A veteran petitions for a discharge upgrade before a Discharge Review Board.
• A former service member or retiree seeks relief from the Board for Correction of Military Records (BCMR/BCNR).

If those avenues do not provide a just result, and the outcome has financial consequences — such as loss of pay, rank, retirement benefits, or disability compensation — the matter may be brought before the Court of Federal Claims.

Having a lawyer who understands both the administrative boards and the statutes that authorize judicial review ensures continuity and increases the chance of success at each stage.