Volunteer Attorney Newsletter
Summer 2020
Thanks for volunteering with the Military Pro Bono Project!
Military Pro Bono Project: Pro Bono Representation
The Military Pro Bono Project accepts case referrals from military legal assistance offices anywhere in the world on behalf of junior-enlisted servicemembers facing civil legal issues, and it places these cases with pro bono attorneys where the legal assistance is needed in the U.S. You can view pro bono case opportunities at any time on our website, which is updated daily.
Operation Stand-By: Guidance to Military and Pro Bono Attorneys
Through the Military Pro Bono Project, you may also elect to participate in Operation Stand-By. Operation Stand-By allows you to offer to be on "stand-by" to provide attorney-to-attorney advice to military attorneys and other pro bono attorneys, so they can further assist their servicemember and veteran clients.
Join by logging onto our website and updating your profile by clicking on “Join Operation Stand-By” and selecting your area(s) of expertise.
Case Spotlight
With Volunteer's Help, Marine's Debt Resolved After Finance Company Violated SCRA
A Marine purchased a vehicle prior to entering active duty. He financed the vehicle and set up automatic payments. Prior to leaving for boot camp, the Marine informed the finance company that he was entering the military and his new income would be deposited into a new bank account. He requested that the finance company stop automatic payments until he could provide his new routing information. The finance company did not stop the automatic payments, and his account was over drafted while in boot camp. After boot camp, the Marine asked the finance company to lower his interest rate to 6% in accordance with the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA). The finance company failed to lower his interest rate. The day after his request, his vehicle was repossessed without a court order.
The Marine visited his legal assistance office for help. His military legal assistance attorney referred his case to the ABA Military Pro Bono Project, which connected him to a pro bono attorney. The volunteer attorney promptly reached a successful settlement agreement with the financial company, which resolved the Marine’s debt and cleaned up his credit history. This also resolved the Marine’s security clearance issue connected to this financial problem, so he could continue his career with the military.
Read additional case stories on our blog to see how our volunteers are helping military families.
Update Your Account
Did you recently move? Have you recently changed jobs? Login to your Military Pro Bono Project account at any time to ensure that your profile information is up-to-date. Visit “My Profile” at the very top of the page, and then click “Edit My Profile” to make any necessary changes.
News & Events
View the latest news and events about military and veterans’ issues and CLEs.
Support
You can also support the Project by donating here!
LAMP
The Military Pro Bono Project is managed by the ABA Standing Committee on Legal Assistance for Military Personnel (LAMP). Learn more about LAMP.
