ABA's Veterans Legal Services Initiative aims to create online resource, mobilize lawyers
Linda Klein. Photo by Tony Avelar.
ABA President Linda Klein has announced an effort to provide legal representation and resources for veterans.
Klein says in a video that she became aware of the needs of veterans when members of her law firm volunteered at a homeless shelter. She learned that over half the needs of homeless veterans are legal.
The ABA Veterans Legal Services Initiative launched by Klein will be led by a 20-member volunteer commission, according to a press release. The commission is expected to:
• Build a comprehensive website that informs veterans of legal issues and directs them to appropriate resources.
• Encourage law schools and bar associations to promote legal-services incubators that could help veterans while providing training to new and underemployed lawyers.
• Promote partnerships between doctors and lawyers to help solve veterans’ legal problems.
• Extend the National Pro Bono Celebration Week in late October to include Veteran’s Day, and sponsor additional volunteer efforts around Memorial Day.
See also:
ABAJournal.com: “Education, veterans’ rights and expanding services for ABA members will be focus of Klein’s term”
