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. If you are interested in volunteering for the LAMP program, please contact Volunteer LAMP Director Col. Bryan Spencer or call 800-204-2222 ext. 1857. He relays requests for legal assistance to volunteer attorneys.
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.
Please direct questions about the LAMP program to Volunteer LAMP Director Col. Bryan Spencer or call 800-204-2222 ext. 1857.