Volunteer Attorney Newsletter
Summer 2022
Two ways to volunteer with the ABA 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: Attorney-to-Attorney Advice
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 Pro Bono Attorney’s Help, Sailor Adopts his Stepdaughter
A Navy servicemember’s wife had a daughter from a previous relationship. The daughter spent much of her life living with her mother and the sailor, and the sailor considered the daughter his own. The child’s biological father had abandoned her, and the sailor wanted to officially adopt the child and become her father in the eyes of the law. The sailor visited a military legal assistance office to seek help, where a military attorney referred him to the ABA Military Pro Bono Project. The program connected the family with an attorney who offered to provide pro bono representation in the adoption process. The biological father consented to the adoption, and the volunteer attorney swiftly handled the uncontested case by filing paperwork with the court and attending hearings. The adoption was finalized, allowing the sailor to become his daughter’s father, finally and legally. Read additional case stories on our blog to see how our volunteers are helping military families. ABA Free Legal Answers for Veterans
Are you accredited with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs? Do you want to help veterans? If so, ABA Free Legal Answers for Veterans is a great pro bono opportunity for you! Help veterans – along with eligible dependents and survivors – by answering questions about discharge upgrades, VA disability benefits, military retirement, and more on this virtual legal advice clinic. Attorneys who are licensed and in good standing in their state and are accredited with the VA may provide brief legal advice on the site without any formal representation. Don’t have VA accreditation? Learn about the simple steps to apply. For more information and to sign up with ABA Free Legal Answers for veterans, please visit ABAFederal.FreeLegalAnswers.org. Please help us spread the news about this program to both attorneys and veterans! News & Events
MSJDN Partnership: Military Spouse J.D. Network and ABA Military Pro Bono Project establish new partnership. New Grantees: ABA Veterans Legal Assistance Grants program provided $100,000 to organizations in California. View the latest news and events about military and veterans’ issues and CLEs. Supporting the ABA Military Pro Bono Project
Consider making a donation to the ABA Military Pro Bono Project to show your support. DONATE Special thanks to our current Star Ranking Supporters. Update Your MPBP Account
Have you recently changed your email address or other contact information? Log in 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 needed changes. LAMP
The Military Pro Bono Project is managed by the ABA Standing Committee on Legal Assistance for Military Personnel (LAMP) as an ongoing initiative of the ABA Military and Veterans Legal Center. Learn more about LAMP.
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