Lawyers Giving Back
Legal Assistance to Military Personnel (LAMP)
What is LAMP?
LAMP is a consortium of state and local bar associations that provide legal assistance to military personnel and their families
If you are military personnel assigned within Texas and need legal help, you should first contact the legal assistance officer assigned to your unit.
Pro Bono Opportunities for Legal Professionals
Operation Enduring LAMP (Legal Assistance to Military Personnel) is
an ongoing project of the State Bar of Texas, Texas Lawyers Care, and
the Military Law Section. A significant number of military personnel
are assigned within Texas. The Staff Judge Advocate's Office on each
base, post, or installation provides legal assistance to military
personnel and their family members, but legal assistance officers are
unable to provide court representation.
The LAMP program helps active duty military, members of the Reserves
and National Guard called to active duty, and their families with a
wide range of legal issues ranging from family law matters to
employment issues to consumer law. Legal assistance is especially
needed for family members in communities beyond the reach of an active
duty legal assistance office.
Because the Staff Judge Advocate's Office cannot provide court
representation, volunteer support from pro bono lawyers, paralegals, and
other legal support staff is vital to Operation Enduring LAMP's
success. Attorneys are encouraged to volunteer for general legal
assistance pro bono programs. Reserve Judge Advocates may receive
points credited towards retirement for providing pro bono legal
assistance.
At a minimum, legal assistance to military personnel can involve
court representation, counseling, telephone calls, and letter writing
for signature by the client or the attorney. The client is responsible
for any out-of-pocket expenses. Local attorneys who agree to do this
work pro bono provide legal assistance, as appropriate, in the
attorney's individual office or at the Centers/Armories. Local bar
associations may also provide meeting space.
Articles to assist counsel and judges in handling cases involving veterans
Special thanks to Captain Evan R. Seamone, Assistant Professor in the Administrative and Civil Law Department of the US Army Judge Advocate General’s School and Editor of the Military Law Review [202 Mil. L. Rev. (2009)]
Contact Us to Volunteer
If you would like to know more about our LAMP efforts, or if you are a legal professional who would like to volunteer, please contact:
Col. Bryan Spencer
LAMP Director
800-204-2222 ext. 1857
bryan.spencer@texasbar.com
Col. Spencer relays requests for legal assistance to volunteer attorneys. Volunteer registration of lawyers, paralegals, and other legal support staff is key to the success of the LAMP program.
Legal Assistance to Military Personnel (LAMP) Intake Form
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Related Information
Texas Lawyers for Texas Veterans
Texas Lawyers for Texas Veterans is a State Bar of Texas program to develop and assist pro bono legal clinics throughout the state for military veterans who otherwise cannot afford or do not have access to the legal services they need.
Texas Lawyers Auxiliary
This organization of attorney spouses supports the legal profession and public education.
Pro Bono College
Report your pro bono hours! The Pro Bono College recognizes attorneys who have far exceeded the State Bar's aspirational pro bono goal in their efforts to address the vast unmet legal needs of the poor.
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