July 15, 2009 – Did you know there are deployed service members who need legal assistance and they cannot afford it? Did you know there are at least two programs in Wisconsin that offer State Bar of Wisconsin members the opportunity to help these folks out? All State Bar members (resident and nonresident) can help these heroes by volunteering through the ABA Military Pro Bono Project or the Marquette University Law School’s project – Service members and Veterans Legal Assistance of Wisconsin (SAVLAW). Legal issues range from family law matters to power of attorney issues to creditor rights issues to landlord/tenant to civilian employment issues to relating to the qualification for public health benefits.
ABA Military Pro Bono Project. Requests for help through the ABA project are prescreened by a JAG lawyer who refers eligible requests to the ABA Military Pro Bono Project. ABA staff sends these requests to lawyers on the pro bono panel for the state/locality where the help is needed, and help make a match once a volunteer steps forward. Students from the U.W. and Marquette law schools will be available to assist attorneys with legal research, writing, and other appropriate tasks. On the project’s Web site, select “Join This Area” to volunteer.
SAVLAW. Marquette’s SAVLAW already assists service members who are experiencing a civilian legal issue that is affecting their readiness for military service or their family. SAVLAW will also be launching a new veterans’ legal clinic at the Milwaukee Veterans Service Office in August. SAVLAW is organized under Marquette University Law School’s Office of Public Service and is coordinated by Marquette law students under the supervision of the school’s pro bono coordinator with assistance provided by volunteer attorneys.
