John B. Gately Attorney & Counselor at Law Pro

I’m writing this review after hiring John “Jack” Gately for my MEB/PEB case. If you’re currently in the process or expecting to be shortly, here’s a few things I learned first-hand: 1. Control what you can. There are countless variables involved in a PEB outcome. The best way to influence the result is to be proactive and hire an expert. This is not the time to be a ‘barracks lawyer.’ 2. Jack is a true specialist. He is incredibly well-read on the current state of the boards and he knows what it takes to win today, not ten years ago. 3. View the fee as an investment. The retainer is a small price compared to the lifetime value of the benefits you’re fighting for or the ability to stay in service. To get the absolute best out of Jack (and frankly, likely any good attorney), you must be an active participant in your own case. He is a strategist, not a micromanager. He speaks our language, his humor is spot on, and most importantly, he gets results! Thank you, Jack!

I cannot say enough great things about John Gately! After suffering an injury, I was overwhelmed by the medical retirement process — but John made everything so much easier. His knowledge of the process is truly impressive, and he guided me every step of the way with patience, clarity, and genuine care. Thanks to John’s expertise and dedication, I was able to navigate a very complex and stressful situation with confidence. If you’re looking for a lawyer who is not only highly skilled but also deeply compassionate, look no further. I am so grateful for everything he did for me — I couldn’t have gone through the PEB without him!

Hiring Jack was one of the very best decisions I have ever made in my life. Jack has a very difficult job. He deals all day with sick and injured service members, a lot of whom aren't particularly happy to have woken up one day so sick or injured, their military careers were about to end. Besides being a technical expert in his field, Jack is incredibly optimistic, easygoing, and will be your cheerleader when you need it most. Having Jack believe in me is what gave me hope when times were very dark for me. Besides being a world class attorney, Jack has a natural talent for uplifting anyone's spirit when times get rough. One of my life's greatest gifts and blessings has been able to work with Jack. I won't miss the military but I will miss Jack's sharp wit, sense of humor, and friendship throughout my medboard process.

Having Mr Gately in your corner during the MEB/PEB/VA process is a must. My wife and I were both active duty and got sick around the same time with autoimmune conditions. When the MEB topic was first brought up by military docs, we researched and decided Mr Gately’s help was our best chance to get through the processes with the best outcomes. We were right. Mr Gately helped both me and my wife fight through military medical paperwork errors and faulty decisions that could have resulted in the most blatant system failures and lack of accountability. As a prior service member, I understand it may seem like a tough choice to pay thousands of dollars in fees to a lawyer to get you through an MEB when you assume it would just work itself out right, but it’s a choice I absolutely support. Don’t sell yourself short, the potential for things to go sideways with your paperwork is real.

Mr. Gately is, without a doubt, the best in his field and I would recommend him to anybody going through the IDES process. From his free consultation through the end of the process when I received the intended result of a return to duty, he was nothing short of a consummate professional who worked tirelessly to ensure that the case was as strong as we could humanly make it. It was through his help that we were able to not only get me returned to duty as an officer in the Air Force, but also returned to a flying status as the second pilot with an ostomy in Air Force history, and for that, I have the deepest gratitude to Mr. Gately and say without reservation that if you want to win your IDES case, you should consult with him.

Exceptional Experience – Life-Changing Results Working with Attorney John Gately was truly life-changing. From the very beginning, he treated my case with professionalism, compassion, and incredible expertise. He took the time to understand every detail and guided me through one of the most stressful times in my life with honesty and confidence. John fought hard for me and never gave up. Because of his dedication and deep knowledge, I received the retired result I had been fighting for. He kept me informed, answered every question, and made sure I always felt supported and respected. If you’re looking for a lawyer who truly cares, communicates clearly, and delivers real results, John Gately is the one you want on your side. I’m beyond grateful for everything he’s done and highly recommend him to anyone who needs a strong, trustworthy advocate.

I cannot thank John enough for the outstanding job he did with my case. From the very beginning, he demonstrated deep knowledge, genuine compassion, and a relentless commitment to achieving the best possible outcome. Thanks to his expertise and dedication, we reached a result that truly exceeded my expectations — the absolute best outcome I could have hoped for. Throughout the entire process, he communicated clearly, kept me informed, and fought hard on my behalf. I always felt like I was in good hands, and that made a huge difference during a stressful and uncertain time. If you’re a veteran looking for someone who truly understands the system and cares about getting you what you deserve, I highly recommend this lawyer. He delivered nothing short of excellence.

My PEB case was extremely complex and was initially denied when represented by a different attorney. Mr Gately then got involved helping me file an appeal and eventually winning my case! I received absolutely incredible service and was so impressed by his knowledge of the system and how to navigate the process for a successful outcome. Would highly recommend anyone going through the PEB to start with Mr Gately right from the beginning.

Jack has been a tremendous help through a very difficult time in my life. I was faced with issues from the Navy and VA after being referred into the IDES system. He was able to make sense of things I had no idea about. He helped me with a poor C&P examiner, VA documentation, and ultimately the full IDES process. He was indispensable in my case and a professional I would gladly recommend. If you do not have a grasp of VA, IDES, or LOD processes, Jack would be an excellent choice to help you achieve the correct outcome. He is a quality military/disability lawyer and I highly recommend him for any legal matter.

I found out I was going to the MEDBOARD at the beginning of this year, and after shopping around for lawyers I chose Jack. After our initial interview over the phone, Jack had this aura of possessing great knowledge and confidence with his area of practice. After reading his very helpful e-booklet titled "How to Win Your Navy IDES Case" on his website, we formulated a plan of attack and Jack was there every step of the way. I ended up being found fit to continue on active duty at the IPEB, and I could not have done it without Jack's help! He truly cares about his clients and is available outside of what would be considered "normal working hours" (I am on the west coast, Jack is on the east coast) for any assistance. I owe a sincere debt of gratitude to Jack! 10 out of 10 would recommend!