LACBA's Armed Forces Committee is a means to provide pro bono legal assistance to Veterans, a network for lawyers who have military experience, and the opportunity to coordinate with existing legal service and other nonprofit organizations by developing programs to support and complement each other's efforts.

March 1, 2013: Amicus Brief of Los Angeles County Bar Association and Armed Forces Committee of the Los Angeles County Bar Association as Amici Curiae in Support of Respondent

Click Here for the
Compromise of Arrears Program
Policies and Procedures Manual
Produced by the California Department of Child Support Services

Click Here for the Compromise of Arrears Program (COAP) Application Form

LACBA and Public Counsel Announce New Joint Pro Bono Veterans Project to Provide Free Legal Assistance
to Our Veterans

On Saturday, November 17, 2012, nearly 250 people came together at the Armed Forces Ball "Honoring America's Veterans" to raise funds to support LACBA's Veteran-specific legal service programs, including the training and deployment of pro bono attorneys to assist Veterans with their VA benefits, family law matters, criminal defense, tax, housing, outstanding ticket and warrant resolution, and other financial issues.

One of these early programs is a new partnership between LACBA and Public Counsel, LACBA's public interest law firm--the Public Counsel/LACBA Veterans Pro Bono Project.

"The Armed Forces Ball 'Honoring America's Veterans' is an opportunity for us to recognize the many sacrifices and contributions Veterans have made to our country, while supporting the delivery of pro bono legal services to those Veterans in need," said Adam Siegler, Chair of LACBA's Armed Forces Committee. "The Veterans Pro Bono Project between LACBA and Public Counsel is a new approach to reaching Veterans and their families which we hope can serve as a model of cooperation nationwide."

Hernán Vera, President and CEO of Public Counsel, added, "Veterans give so much to our country, and solving their legal issues is often a critical missing piece after they finish their service. When legal issues are standing in a Veteran's way, we need to do whatever it takes to remove them. We're proud to stand with the Los Angeles County Bar Association to reach that goal."

LACBA will work with Public Counsel to provide free legal assistance and representation to Veterans on a range of legal matters, including family law and ticket and warrant resolution, which can grow to become major obstacles to employment or stability.

The Veterans assisted through this joint partnership will come from throughout Los Angeles County, including those served by Public Counsel at the West Los Angeles Veterans Administration Campus.

To learn how you can become involved in the Veterans Project, please contact Laurie Aronoff, Pro Bono Coordinator, at laronoff@lacba.org.

CLICK HERE to see the photos and read all about LACBA's 2012 Armed Forces Ball.

THANK YOU LETTER TO OUR COMMITTEE

The following letter was addressed to several attorneys, as well as to the LACBA Armed Forces Committee:

To those of you who may be reading this, not directly addressed, my name is ____, and I'm a Petty Officer Third Class serving active duty in the United States Navy.

I (and my command) want to personally thank you for the tremendous aid that you are providing me. When I think about how your firm has defended my paternal rights, it brings me to tears.  I've been fighting a good, honest fight for several years now and I have endured a considerable amount while pursuing the most basic visitation agreement. As a result of your intervention, I have been able to continue to see my son.  But the most rewarding gift you've given me is the opportunity to show him that I love him.

You witnessed the injustice I underwent and intervened on my behalf allowing me to serve my country on deployment. You have helped me sleep more restfully at night.  My quality of life has significantly improved since you have taken the case.  You have given me peace of mind, relieving a weight from my family. Your presence alone has stopped the libel, the harassment, the unfounded DCFS investigations and the calls to the police. You have given me a new perspective, optimism, hope and serenity. I call everything that has transpired from my initial request for aid to this moment, a miracle. 

I am quite exhausted while typing at the moment, as I am sure most of your clients are after a day in court but it is of no matter as there are no words for the level of gratitude that I wish to express to you.

ASSISTANCE TO SERVICE MEMBERS

The AFC works to provide legal assistance to members of the armed forces, with a particular emphasis on pro bono services to Veterans. The AFC recognizes that there are a number of legal service organizations, including other sections and committees in LACBA, which currently provide various types of assistance to Veterans. The AFC seeks to support, augment and coordinate these existing efforts.

Contact Information

For more information about the AFC, please contact:

• Chair Adam Siegler sieglera@gtlaw.com
• Vice Chair Stephen Morgan stephentmorgan@gmail.com

The LACBA Armed Forces Committee secured a rare reversal by the California Board of Parole Hearings for an incarcerated Veteran.  Click here to read this case study.

On July 30, legal professionals gathered at LACBA to take part in Parole Hearing Boot Camp, a program aimed to "prepare lawyers for parole hearings with a special emphasis on working with incarcerated military veterans." Read the article that appeared in the August 5th edition of the Los Angeles Daily Journal here.

The Valor Guide is an index of legal service providers for veterans in Los Angeles County area that was compiled by Loyola Law School at the direction of Committee Chair, Adam Siegler.