Help serve legal needs of troops
When we see a man or woman in uniform, most of us say “thank you for your service.” This Veteran’s Day, we can do more than that. We can help defend their legal rights.
Our active duty members are increasingly battling legal issues that distract from their missions. Military lawyers provide excellent service but they cannot go to court when a member of the military service is sued.
The Navy service member whose child’s health and welfare are not being met under the terms of his divorce settlement, the soldier whose condo is being foreclosed on, the Marine facing collection action for fraudulent use of his credit card, the airman who wants shared custody of his children and stepchild — these are cases a military lawyer cannot resolve. And our military members are facing these kinds of challenges every day.
That is why the American Bar Association launched the Military Pro Bono Project, to recruit lawyers to volunteer assistance to military personnel. The project provides active duty military members access to legal assistance by encouraging private lawyers to volunteer their time and expertise.
This year, I encourage my fellow lawyers to volunteer their time to provide pro bono representation for service members.
Ron Marmer
Chair, American Bar Association Section of Litigation