mvAC2023-2024 — reACHingout
Military & Veterans Affairs Committee Chairs : RobertBarton — Rumberger / Kirk & SteveCollins — LawOfficeofRoryWeiner
The Military and Veterans Affairs Committee ( MVAC ) is excited to ring in the 2023-2024 Bar year . We have an exciting list of events planned that will serve the Tampa Bay veteran community as well as our local military legal community . MVAC will continue volunteer efforts to assist local veterans in need around the Tampa Bay area and offer CLEs and networking opportunities to our veteran and non-veteran legal community . MVAC will also be concentrating more efforts on one of our core tenets this year — networking with local members of the Judge Advocate Generals ’ Corps ( JAG ), including government civilian attorneys in the JAG community , to introduce them to the Hillsborough County Bar Association and , if needed , assist them with the transition to civilian life .
Service
This year , MVAC will continue to provide support to local homeless veteran “ stand down ” events where we provide legal advice to homeless , disadvantaged , and disabled veterans . The impact of these events is invaluable , both mvACwillcontinue volunteereffortstoassistlocal veteransinneed aroundthetampa Bayarea .
on the attorney giving the advice and the veteran . We will also continue to promote the Veterans Legal Assistance Registry ( VLAR ), the State of Florida ’ s first registry that connects veterans in need of legal assistance with lawyers willing to provide services at a reduced rate or pro bono . If you would like to see the list , check out the HCBA website under the “ For The Public ” tab or go to http :// tinyurl . com / veteranslegalregistry . ( If you would like to be added to the registry , contact Steve or Robert ). Finally , we will continue to promote the 13th Judicial Circuit ’ s nationallyrecognized Veterans Treatment Court through the leadership and guidance of Judge Michael Scionti and Colonel DJ Reyes , USA , Retired .
Networking In addition to our service projects , MVAC will be hosting multiple networking events throughout the year . We are planning on teaming up with members of the local JAG community for professional development sessions for all active duty , reserve , national guard , and civilian JAGs . We are also going to host a Veteran ’ s Day event honoring our local heroes in the fall and host our annual VLAR reception in the spring . There will also be CLE opportunities focusing on topics related to the military community .
Should I Join ?
Absolutely ! You do not have to be a veteran to support veterans or to join MVAC . We are an all-inclusive committee , with members from diverse backgrounds and diverse practice areas . As a member of MVAC , there are numerous opportunities to serve , network , lead , write , or speak . What we all have in common is we want to support and promote ALL those who are currently serving or have served in the U . S . military and their families . Come to one of our happy hours , volunteer at a service event , or attend one of our CLE events . You will not be disappointed ! n
Author : Steven Collins – Law Office of Rory Weiner
Contact the MVAC Co-Chairs to Join the Veterans Legal Assistance Registry ( VLAR ).
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