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Operation Enduring LAMP
(NOTE: this
information is also available in a .pdf document by clicking here.)
Operation Enduring LAMP (Legal Assistance
for Military
Personnel) is a program of the State Bar of Texas (SBOT) whereby local
bar
members provide pro bono legal assistance to include some court
actions, to qualifying
active duty military, members of the Reserves and National Guard called
to
active duty, and their families, occasioned by the 9/11 tragedy and
subsequent
action in Afghanistan and Iraq. Those not qualifying for pro bono are
referred
to an attorney who understands the military. The program is provided by
the
SBOT’s Texas Lawyers Care Department and Military Law Section.
Most cases today involve divorce,
child support, custody, or
child visitation, occasioned by the stress occasioned by repeated
deployments,
especially for the Army.
Attorneys are encouraged to
volunteer for this pro bono
program. Reserve or National Guard Judge
Advocates may receive points for this legal assistance.
Volunteers should send an e-mail to the
address below with their name, address, phone, fax, areas of practice,
and
prior military experience, if any.
A local bar association can
arrange a SBOT-provided free
four hour Continuing Legal Education program with course book to
upgrade skills
of local attorneys in laws not normally found in their practice. The subjects cover the new Service Members
Civil Relief Act (50 U.S.C. App §§501-596) signed by the
President on 19
December 2003 (formerly the Soldiers and Sailors Civil Relief Act), The
Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act, (38 U.S.C.
§§4301-4333) Military Estate Planning, and Military Benefits.
Local Bars provide meeting space. Local attorneys who agree to do pro bono
legal assistance, maintain contact with local Reserve Centers
and National Guard Armories/ military bases to provide legal assistance
at the
Centers/Armories on a routine basis, or in the attorney’s individual
office, as
appropriate, or accept referrals from the State Bar LAMP office. Legal assistance, at a minimum, involves
counseling, telephone calls, and letter writing, for signature by the
client or
the attorney, and in some cases, court representation.
Any out of pocket expenses are to be paid by
the client.
The CLE program can be initiated
by calling the undersigned
or Ms. Hong Escobar at 800/204-2222 X 1855. Questions
can be directed to the undersigned at the above
number, or
512/415-9176, or e-mail at Bspencer@Texasbar.com.
Bryan S. Spencer
Colonel, JAGC, USA,
Ret.
Volunteer & Director, Operation Enduring
LAMP
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