The Law Office of Peter Kageleiry, Jr. LLC is proud to collaborate with Bernardt Law, PLCC. Timothy Bernadt, Esq. is a retired Commander with 24 years of military service in the United States Coast Guard with extensive leadership experience across operational, diplomatic, and disciplinary roles. He now focuses his legal practice on military defense under the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) and Veterans Law, representing service members facing courts-martial, administrative separations (ADSEP), and adverse military actions, as well as veterans seeking earned benefits.
During his Coast Guard career, Tim served multiple tours in senior command positions. His assignments included Executive Officer aboard USCGC SHAMAL (WPC-13) in Pascagoula, Mississippi, and Commanding Officer of several cutters deployed to the Middle East under the tactical control of the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet in support of Operations ENDURING FREEDOM, NEW DAWN, and VIGILANT MARINER. As Commanding Officer of the WPB Relief Crew, he was forward-deployed to the Kuwait Navy Base in Kuwait where he provided logistical, financial, and personnel support to the operational units within the AOR. In addition, Tim commanded four Coast Guard patrol boats conducting maritime security operations, maritime infrastructure protection, theater security cooperation, and counterterrorism missions throughout the Arabian Gulf. Following his overseas service, Tim returned stateside to command USCGC STATEN ISLAND (WPB-1345) in Atlantic Beach, North Carolina.
In 2019, Tim was selected to serve as the U.S. Coast Guard Attaché to Malta, where he represented the United States at an overseas embassy. As a military attaché, he strengthened military-to-military partnerships, advised senior diplomatic leadership on defense and security matters, and supported international security cooperation efforts.
In his final assignment, Tim served as Commanding Officer of Military Personnel at Coast Guard Sector Miami, overseeing military personnel matters involving investigations, disciplinary actions, and legal proceedings. This role provided him with direct, practical insight into how commands evaluate military justice cases, make disciplinary decisions, and pursue adverse actions; experience that now allows him to anticipate the government’s strategy and advocate effectively for his clients.
During his military career, Tim had extensive experience in adjudicating a multitude of military justice matters ranging from minor administrative and misconduct issues to significant UCMJ cases such as fraud, DUI, sexual assault, domestic violence, and a wide variety of drug offenses. Tim is a passionate advocate for our veterans and a staunch defender of service members accused of UCMJ violations.
After retiring from active duty in 2024, Tim practiced as a civil litigation attorney assisting clients in family law matters (e.g. divorce, child support and custody modifications, adoptions, and pre and post nuptial agreements), and debt defense matters. Tim also practiced as a Veterans Affairs attorney, focusing on helping veterans and their spouses obtain disability compensation and other benefits they are entitled to by law, which he continues to do today.
Originally from Scotia, New York, Tim graduated from the United States Coast Guard Academy with a degree in Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering. He holds a Master of Science in Criminal Justice from the University of Louisville and earned his Juris Doctor from Mitchell Hamline School of Law. He is licensed to practice law in Texas.
The Law Office of Peter Kageleiry, Jr. LLC refers potential new client’s to Attorney Bernadt because we believe every current and former service member deserves an aggressive advocate dedicated to protecting their rights and military benefits.
