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Military Law

  • November 5, 2013 | Practice News
    Spotlight on pro bono: Pro bono services for veterans

    By Judge Barb Crowder, Secretary, ISBA Standing Committee on the Delivery of Legal Services

    Adding a veterans subcommittee to the existing efforts of the Third Judicial Circuit’s Pro Bono Committee has allowed the committee to expand and target services specifically for the many veterans in the metro-east living in Madison and Bond County. The superintendent of the Veterans Assistance Commission has been a member of the Third Circuit Pro Bono Committee since its inception and concerns over the many homeless and needy veterans have been part of the committee’s focus. The veterans subcommittee is working on information packets for veterans and for attorneys to highlight needs and services. The purpose of this article is to highlight the expansion of pro bono efforts and to encourage other programs to consider outreach for veterans.

  • September 12, 2013 | Practice News
    Help Military Families move forward

    The strain of deployment isn't just felt by Servicemembers. Military families live with the pressures of war thousands of miles away. Lengthy separations, the realities of single parenting, financial stress, constant worry for loved one's safety and difficult communications takes a toll that is sometimes irreparable.

    Military Families need local legal assistance.

    What should be a joyful reunion can turn painful when family life becomes an unexpected casualty of war. The life they thought they were getting back, in some cases, has ceased to exist. Military families often need local legal help or mediation to face failing marriages, custody and child support issues, and the division of assets.

    Sometimes they need help moving forward.

    An attorney from their community who understands the intricacies of the state and federal laws affecting military personnel and family law is the kind of advocate military families need most.

    Learn how you can help. 

    To sign up please go to – http://militarylegalsupport.com

  • September 3, 2013 | Practice News
    Help Servicemembers in your community

    When legal issues arise at home, Servicemembers are often unable to find the help they need. The aid and advice of a trusted attorney located in or near their home community can be a lifeline of support.

    JAG Corps attorneys can only provide limited counsel.

    Military Families may need assistance dealing with divorce, child custody, bankruptcy, probate and financial issues. Attorneys in the Judge Advocate General’s Corps (JAGs) are able to provide limited counsel to Servicemembers, but heavy caseloads, and numerous demands compete for their time. 

    When Servicemembers return, they need legal help near their home communities.

    Only 37 percent of our military Families live on installations while the remaining 63 percent live in over 4,000 communities nationwide. Our troops need legal assistance closer to home. Give them someone to turn to for help.

    Learn how you can help Servicemembers in your community.

    To sign up please go to – http://militarylegalsupport.com

  • August 26, 2013 | Practice News
    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.

    Read more...

    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

  • August 16, 2013 | Practice News
    Increased demand for military legal assistance

    Over the next two years, large numbers of Servicemembers will return home from deployment. Coming home from combat can present a difficult reintegration with family, friends and community. Many will face legal issues, increasing the overall demand for military legal assistance.

    Help make military legal assistance available for returning Servicemembers.

    Waves of returning Servicemembers will strain existing military legal assistance programs. Civilian attorneys can help meet the growing need by becoming a part of The Illinois Bar Association’s statewide effort to increase access to military legal assistance.

    Help Servicemembers, Veterans and their Families resolve their legal issues.

    More attorneys are needed to assist with:

    • Family Law
    • Finance/Banking
    • Employment
    • Health Care
    • Immigration
    • Elder Law

    Learn more about how you can provide critical legal services to our returning Servicemembers.

    To sign up please go to – http://militarylegalsupport.com

    Follow us on Twitter -  http://twitter.com/militarylegal

  • August 9, 2013 | Practice News
    Help protect returning servicemembers’ jobs

    Servicemembers return home from deployment believing their jobs are waiting for them. For some, the joy of coming home is short lived when they find their employer has replaced them.

    After serving their country, their jobs should be waiting.

    The Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA) prohibits employer discrimination because of military services and protects job rights and benefits for Servicemembers.

    Many employers are not aware of these protections.

    USERRA provides protection for:

    • Military leave of absence
    • Job seniority
    • Status
    • Pay and benefits
    • Promotion and pension
    • Disability as a result of military service

    Returning Servicemembers are entitled to jobs comparable to their peers whose careers were not interrupted by military service. Employers are required to make reasonable efforts to upgrade the skills of returning employees so they can qualify for the positions they would have earned had they not left for military service.

    Learn how you can help protect their employment.

    To sign up please go to – http://militarylegalsupport.com

    Follow us on Twitter -  http://twitter.com/militarylegal

  • August 1, 2013 | Practice News
    Help provide legal assistance for returning military

    While Servicemembers are deployed, their Families often face difficult financial pressures. Stress and strain on spouses, children and adult dependents can be intensified by creditors, bill collectors, landlords and lenders.

    There are legal remedies available.

    Since 2003, the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) has allowed those serving on active duty to focus on their missions by relieving unnecessary or unfair financial stress on their Families. SCRA limits the enforcement of civil liabilities, leases, installment contracts, mortgages and liens such as:

    • Credit card interest
    • Mortgage payments
    • Pending trials
    • Taxes
    • Terminations of lease

    Federal law ensures that Servicemembers and their Families are not hurt financially as a result of their service. By temporarily suspending or postponing civil proceedings, SCRA helps demonstrate that our nation values the sacrifices of these individuals.

    Learn how you can help protect their rights.

    To sign up please go to – http://militarylegalsupport.com

    Follow us on Twitter -  http://twitter.com/militarylegal