Law firms and lawyers
throughout the United States represent, support and/or help the people who help
create, protect and defend freedoms - for Americans, their allies, friends and
citizens of other nations worldwide. America is the land of the free, because
of the brave!
The military – past, present and future are the key
people who are so critical to the freedoms and way of life U.S. citizens enjoy.
The U.S. military consists of current troops and service members: Army, Navy,
Marines, Air Force, Coast Guard, National Guard and all Reservists; veterans
and veterans’ organizations such as The American Legion, Veterans of Foreign
Wars (VFW), and others; POWs (Prisoners of War); those still MIA (Missing in
Action); past and present Judge Advocate General's Corps members (JAGs); and
all the other civil
servants who are employed by the military and those who support
active military
service members and veterans worldwide.
Without these millions of people and their
commitment, effort, work, sacrifice, service and dedication − as well as the loving support of their spouses,
children, parents, friends and other backers − our Republic and
democracy as we know it and our cherished freedoms would not exist as they do
today.
Throughout history,
lawyers have played integral roles at many levels to help shape, build, deploy,
maintain, manage and support the U.S. military and veterans. For
example, in the highest elected role within the U.S. government, President of
the United States (POTUS) − who is also the Commander in Chief of the United
States Armed Forces − approximately 26 holders of that office were or are
lawyers and 21 of them served in the U.S. military (not to mention POTUS
Cabinet members, counsel and advisors over the years, many of whom have been or
are lawyers).
Today, approximately 20% of
the members of the U.S. Congress have served in the military, and approximately
35% are lawyers. Many Senators and Congressmen who are lawyers have worked in
outside law firms or as in-house counsel either before being elected to serve
or after their government service ends. In addition, many who currently serve
or have served in the administrative branches of government (at federal,
regional, state and/or local levels) are also lawyers.
Private law firms of all sizes and lawyers of all
types also help support the military. This may not be in any official
governmental capacity, but through formal representation, pro bono
representation and efforts, charitable contributions, employment assistance,
employee volunteer programs and other ways.
The majority of law firms that formally represent
members of the military, veterans and their families are in the small to
mid-size range, which allows them to maintain a lower hourly rate structure and
more flexibility regarding flat and fixed fees for certain types of legal work
needed.
One Michigan-based law
firm named Legal Help for Veterans PLLC represents veterans and their families
in disability claims such as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Traumatic
Brain Injury (TBI), orthopedic issues, surviving spouse pensions and other
issues.
Gordon Thomas Honeywell, a
Pacific Northwest law firm with offices in Seattle and Tacoma, often represents
veterans in employment and discrimination cases. The Uniformed Services
Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA) prohibits harassment, discrimination
and retaliation against military members related to their service.
For lawyers whose practice already
includes representing members of the military and/or veterans or for those
lawyers/law firms interested in doing so, the American Bar Association (ABA)
website offers over 7,000 resources which can be accessed by visiting the site
and typing “Veterans” in the search bar. Pro bono representation opportunities to help
veterans and their families abound.
Larger
law firms also represent veterans. For example, Steptoe & Johnson partner
Stephen Fennell, Chair of the firm’s Litigation Group, serves as lead counsel
for his firm which since 2002 has represented Gulf War POWs in a contentious,
high-profile lawsuit against Iraq for damages arising out of the torture of the
POWs while they were in captivity.
At
the grass roots level, law firms around the country participate in Adopt the
Troops/Solider/Platoon campaigns. For example, the Pacific Northwest-based law
firm of Cairncross & Hempelmann had a firm employee whose family member was
serving as a Marine with a platoon stationed in Iraq. The firm informally
“adopted” the platoon for the holidays (and beyond), which included contacting
local military organizations to learn what they could send in “care packages,”
how to send them and where.
Law
schools around the country also support veterans. A number of law schools (including
Harvard) provide scholarships and/or tuition assistance for veterans, and
several law school clinical programs provide training to help veterans handle
VA benefits claims and appeals.
To volunteer and/or
donate in the most productive manner, be sure to first verify the
group/organization (because not all veterans’ charities/organizations use/apply
their donations legitimately). Websites to visit to verify charities’ track
records include: the American Institute
of Philanthropy, Charity Navigator and/or GuideStar.
*This article is not
intended to be 100% complete or exhaustive. It contains representative information
known to the author at the time of publication and as space allowed.
