Bar associations help veterans
Demands on Military Attorneys Limit Their Ability to Take Servicemember Cases
The Judge Advocate General's (JAG) Corps serves as the military's "in-house counsel." The attorneys that serve in the Corps (the Judge Advocates) have a wide range of duties that consist mainly of providing legal advice and representation for their command and for their units. Some of their responsibilities include assisting individual Servicemembers (SM) with civil legal matters, but resources are tight and time constraints are rigid.
There is a great need for private attorneys from the state bar to step forward to fill the void. Major Alma L. Whitelaw, Command Judge Advocate, 287th Sustainment Brigade, Kansas Army National Guard, discusses below the difficult role of Reserve and National Guard Judge Advocates in trying to provide legal assistance to non-active duty SMs and their Families.
State Bar Associations Step Up to Help Servicemembers and Veterans Servicemember
As thousands of military men and women return from deployment, state bar associations are gearing up to provide greater access to legal assistance for Servicemembers, Veterans and their Families.
Two states, Virginia and Kansas, participated in an Army OneSource (AOS) pilot project, and along with a third state, Arizona, they helped to shape the program so it can be implemented nationwide. Read more...
Virginia Law Schools Help With Coordinated Approach
Veterans and Servicemembers in Virginia are receiving assistance through an innovative program that links many of the commonwealth's colleges and universities.
Helping Military Veterans through Higher Education (HMVHE) is a consortium of Virginia colleges and universities that coordinate their resources to assist Virginia's Veterans with their benefits and Servicemembers with their legal, and medical needs. With nearly 200,000 military personnel living throughout Virginia, there is a high need for accessible services locally. Read more...
Support • Counsel • Advocate
Help with military legal assistance. Learn More
The most common legal issues Servicemembers and Veterans face are:
- Bankruptcy
- Divorce
- Landlord/Tenant
- Child Support
- Foreclosure
- Identity Theft
- Employment
Ways you can help:
- Represent – Provide pro bono or reduced-rate legal representation
- Advise – Listen and offer direction and advice on legal issues
- Mentor – Assist another attorney or supervise a law student legal clinic
- Educate – Present a workshop at a Yellow Ribbon, Drill Weekend or other event
Help them face their legal battles.