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to turn to for legal assistance. So, they call the military lawyers on base or they call the VA, but neither location can assist.
That is where the VLAR comes in. By providing a list of lawyers who have indicated they care about the military community, it provides a“ first step” for these brave men and women who otherwise may not know where to turn. Just as importantly, by giving links to the VLAR to the military lawyers on base, the VA, Bay Area Legal Services, and even on the 13th Circuit’ s website, it allows these organizations to point the veterans in the right direction.
How do you join?
After 10 years, the MVAC is revamping and re-energizing the VLAR, and it needs your help. We are looking for lawyers who want to support our local military community by being part of that“ first step.”
Joining the VLAR is not a commitment to take any specific case, nor is it a commitment to work pro bono. It is a statement that you support our community. The VLAR has 17 areas of law ranging from civil to criminal to estate planning. By agreeing to join VLAR, your contact information will be added to the category you select. And if a veteran calls or emails you with a legal matter that you can assist with, we ask you at least consider providing a discounted rate, but you can determine any fee arrangements with the veteran-client. And if you cannot assist the veteran, you can simply refer them elsewhere or even to another attorney on the VLAR.
In the end, we are hoping to keep the VLAR strong for another 10 years and beyond. But we need your help. Scan the QR code in the graphic above or contact the chair of the HCBA’ s Military & Veterans Affairs Committee to join us in this charge. n
Diversity Committee Holds CLE on Role of Court Interpreters
hCBa’ sdiversity, equity & inclusionCommitteeheldan interestingluncheon / Cleonapril10thatthegeorgeedgecomb Courthouseabouttheimportantroleofcourtinterpreters. Thepanelistswhospokeweremaritzalopez-sock, theCourt operationsConsultantforthe13thJudicialCircuit, overseeingthe courtinterpreter’ sdepartment; willwarmke, supervisingattorney fordomesticViolenceProsecutionsatthestateattorney’ soffice forthe13thJudicialCircuit; Jean-lucadrien, misdemeanor divisionChief, withthePublicdefender’ soffice; JudgeClaudia isom( retired); andPattygeraldiandmarianasilva, court interpreterswiththe13thJudicialCircuit. wesincerelythankthepanelists, organizers, andattendeeswho joinedustolearnaboutthisvitalaspectofcourtroomaccessibility.
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