GBJ Feature Georgia Hosts National Symposium on Military Legal Assistance Programs by Norman E. Zoller n May 29, representatives from 13 states met in Atlanta to share information O about what legal assistance and other support programs their states offer to military service members and veterans. In addition to representatives from Georgia, attendees came from Florida, Idaho, Indiana, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina, Texas and West Virginia. Also participating were three representa- tives from the American Bar Association: Linda Klein, president-elect nominee; Mary Meixner, staff attorney and director of the ABA’s Military Pro Bono Project; Photos by Jennifer R. Mason and Ken Goldsmith, legislative counsel and director of Linda A. Klein, ABA president- Edward Tate, Deputy Chief of elect nominee, Atlanta. Staff and General Counsel to state legislation. Sen. Johnny Isakson, Atlanta. more than a quarter of the Nation to talk about how each Reflecting on the symposium, 2014-15 State Bar of us help this most deserving group of our citizens who President Patrise M. Perkins-Hooker said, “It was a have defended democracy and our freedom. I learned timely and splendid idea to convene a meeting like this. much and I know that others did as well.” And to our knowledge, it was the first time this has ever The idea for a symposium emerged in January been done. We brought together representatives from during a meeting of the State Bar’s Military Legal 42 Georgia Bar Journal (Left to right) Cpt. Stephen A. Stokes, Idaho; Catheryne Pully, Indiana; and (Left to right) Drew Early, Atlanta and Jeffery Arnold, Hinesville. John Meyers, Kentucky. Assistance Program Committee tions which, when coupled with Idaho also has created four vet- and the Military and Veterans Law active duty, National Guard, and erans’ courts. Once the veteran has Section. Participants thought it Reservists, typically constitute successfully completed court reha- would be valuable to bring togeth- about 10 percent of any state’s total bilitation requirements, criminal er representatives from the states population. That’s a significant charges may be expunged. that have current programs to help demographic reality. Kentucky Bar Association vets and service members. With Executive Director John Meyers that goal in mind, Perkins-Hooker Reports from the said his state was developing a wrote to her fellow bar presidents States and Remarks firmer strategy of what it wants and executives, suggesting that a to do, which was one of the rea- meeting be convened to swap ideas from the ABA and sons he attended the sympo- and information. Moreover, the Senator Isakson sium. Although some programs meeting could provide an oppor- Cpt. Steve Stokes, on behalf of are already in place, their MLAP tunity for states that did not have the Idaho Military Legal Alliance committee is studying how bet- such programs to hear what other (IMLA), reported their programs ter to address the needs of more states were doing and to consider began at a tactical level and have than 330,600 veterans who call what they also might want to do. since moved to the strategic. He Kentucky home. He reported his The meeting was configured as a described four: coordinating servic- state has sponsored education pro- roundtable so that everyone could es of the member partners and other grams termed, “calling to duty,” see and hear each other: it was community organizations; promot- and established veterans’ treatment give-and-take discussion, not a lec- ing or providing CLE classes to courts in Jefferson and Hardin ture. Each state first spoke about attorneys and volunteers on mili- counties with a special grant, with its various programs, and in some tary law and military issues; estab- comparable programs in Northern cases, programs they did not yet lishing and supporting veteran/ Kentucky, Fayette County and in have but were curious about. military legal clinics throughout the the Christian Circuit. Representatives came not only state; and identifying, tracking, and On behalf of North Carolina, from states with smaller popula- supporting pro bono or reduced- Kirk Warner and Charlotte tions, such as Idaho, with 1,567,582 fee volunteer attorneys willing to Stewart reported on programs citizens1 and 132,395 veterans,2 help veterans, service members, principally under its Military and and Montana, with 989,415 citi- and military families. A steering Veterans Affairs Committee. This zens and 99,646 veterans, but also committee has been appointed and committee provides oversight and from Ohio, with 11,536,504 citizens is designing overall future strategy support regarding family law mat- and 866,481 veterans. Nearly all setting IMLA policy, determining a ters, VA disability appeals, veter- states, as underscored by Klein, strategic vision, and assisting with ans courts, veterans employment have significant veterans’ popula- tactical implementation. initiatives, CLE training, collab- August 2015 43 service to veteran status; military sexual trauma and need for more resources; veterans’ homelessness; and mental health concerns and suicide prevention. Speaking about leadership and initiative, Klein said, “Programs like we have been hearing about don’t just happen. There needs to be recognition of need, and then the will to do something about it.” She continued, “Every state could do something to assist this meritorious group of our citizens. And this need is not going to go away. With the ongoing return of service members from deploy- ments abroad, every state could put in place some form of pro- (Left to right) Larry Houchins and Lt. Col. Mark Majors, Mississippi; Kirk Warner and Charlotte gram, however modest, to help Stewart, North Carolina. them. But that takes leadership.” She concluded, saying, “I intend to speak with the leaders of our state bars and the bar executives of those states to consider what (more) might be done.” Mary Meixner reported the ABA’s Military Pro Bono Project began in 2008 and has connected more than 1,200 service members and veterans with lawyers across the U.S. Clients in grade E6 and below are presumed financially eli- gible. Lawyers are encouraged to provide legal assistance services and may register through its web- site, www.militaryprobono.org. Along with Meixner, Ken Goldsmith reported on the Veterans’ Claims Assistance Network (Facing, left to right) Michael Renner, Ohio; Kenny Dojaquez and Bennett Gore Jr., South (VCAN), the Home Front online Carolina; Anita Casey, West Virginia; and Mary Meixner, ABA, Chicago. resource and the ABA’s Standing oration with ad hoc groups and deputy chief of staff and gener- Committee for Legal Assistance for “reconnaissance” (listening and al counsel to U.S. Senator Johnny Military Personnel (LAMP). watching for relevant information Isakson (GA), and by Linda Klein. VCAN is a pilot program begun that may be useful in the future). In a video message, Isakson, chair in 2014 which selected about 3,300 The Veterans Pro Bono Network of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs eligible veterans who were in, or at has a coordinator, who takes Committee, thanked participants risk of falling into the VA backlog actions personally or maintains for taking part in the symposium in St. Petersburg, FL; Chicago, IL; contact with legal clinics at VA and paid special tribute to Klein and Roanoke, VA. With VA sup- medical centers, statewide stand- on her candidacy as president-elect port the program provided attor- down events, “Serving Those Who of the American Bar Association. neys the opportunity to help veter- Served” (the North Carolina Bar On behalf of Isakson, Tate reviewed ans receive disability benefits they Association’s family law pro bono the Senate Committee’s five major had earned. Lawyers volunteering project) and special court sessions priorities, including oversight to participate receive training and (for “amnesty days”). and implementation of the Choice information about veterans’ claims Two symposium highlights Act;3 the transition process of ser- preparation. Although the pilot is were presented by Edward Tate, vice members from active duty being wrapped up, the ABA and 44 Georgia Bar Journal the VA have begun discussions about its possible continuance. CONCLUDING PERCEPTIONS Details about it and a services’ Following the in-person exchanges during the symposium, participants directory is at www.ABAVCAN. provided summary observations: org or by contacting Meixner at [email protected]. Steve Garrison, Montana Home Front is an online resource “Now we know who already does what and what we need to do. We have to help guide military members, POCs (points of contact). veterans, and their families find We know now how other states are handling legal clinics. We can mimic. We information, referrals, and repre- have a better target to create/expand our veterans’’ courts. We can try. sentation on civil legal matters. We know what groups other states have used to do the work. We can Details about it may be found at involve them. The conference has given us a better chance of giving veterans www.ABAHomeFront.org. a better chance.” LAMP maintains liaison with the Department of Defense and the Steve Stokes, Idaho Department of Homeland Security “It is clear that the success of the various states’ military legal assistance programs about the military services. The is dependent on the passion of the personalities in leadership positions. Folks who committee also maintains contact just dip their toes into a project like this or those who want to start a program as with bar associations and certain a pet project without the buy-in of community partners are doomed to fail. ABA committees to enhance the These programs must be for the long term, and they won’t be successful unless scope, quality and delivery of there are people committed to the long game. Everyone who came to beautiful free or affordable legal services Atlanta for this symposium are clearly those with a passion for these projects to eligible legal assistance clients.