VetLaw 2014: A Forum for Law Students & Lawyers Serving Veterans

1. VetLaw 2014: A Forum for Law Students & Lawyers Serving Veterans “A Resolution To Not Just Say Something…But To Do Something” Presented by Major General Butch Tate, US Army (Retired) Senior Fellow for Veteran Legal Affairs Justice for Vets

2. "Maybe the thanks of a grateful nation can and ought to be more tangible. Maybe the warm feelings we experience when we shake a Soldier's hand and offer best wishes ought to be accompanied by resolve. A resolution to not just SAY something, but, to do something.” Ken Fisher Chairman and CEO Fisher House


3. Deployments (Context) • More than 2.6 Million have deployed since 9/11 • 1 Million are eligible for VA services • Approx. 142,000 are single parents of minor children • 44% of OIF/OEF Servicemembers have served multiple deployments in 9/11 • In 2010, an estimated 300,000 Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans were suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder or major depression. The largest sustained deployment of military service men and women in the history of the all-volunteer force

4. Challenges (Define the Problem) • 22 suicides per day • Drug and Alcohol Abuse • Sexual Assault and Trauma • Unemployment • Over Prescription • PTSD • TBI • Divorce • Spousal and Child Abuse • Behavioral Health Problems • Unmet Needs; 3/10 are Legal

5. Challenges (Define the Problem) • Different Era/Different Context/Same Real Challenges • Some Veterans turn to drugs/alcohol as result of their service. • Traditional community treatment does not meet the unique needs of Veterans. • Some Veterans are ending up in the criminal justice system as a result of their service. • Instead of Incarceration - Accountability, Treatment, Rehabilitation.

6. Building Community Capacity to Meet the Need (The Solution) • Law School Legal Clinics • Veterans Treatment Courts; Justice for Vets • Legal Aid Programs and Clinics • Web-based support • StandDowns • Legal Clinics in VA Facilities • ABA Programs • Operation Home Front • Homeless Standdown • Pro Bono Project • VJOs • State and Local Bar Association Programs

7. Continuing Educationhttp://aoslegal.cequick.com • Family Law and Military (1 hour) • Serving Those Who Have Served (35 minute video) • Military Cultural Competence (1.25 hours)

8. The Way Ahead: Sustainability • Impact of withdrawal from Afghanistan • What are the long term consequences of over a decade of war? • Can we sustain the “sea of goodwill? • Will public opinion change? • Who will lead the efforts for sustainability? • Who will fund? • Policies will need to change.

9. Moving to Alignment and Leverage National legal associations, including the ABA and its many related efforts including ABA Pro Bono Project, Operation Home Front and Operation Stand By State Bar Associations and Military Law Committees Outstanding Fines and Warrants Military Legal Assistance offices Driver’s License Revocations Probation and/or Suspended Sentence Revocations Mental Health Involuntary Commitment and/or Treatment The National Resource Directory Criminal Bond Hearing Revocations Legal Aid Organizations Federal, State, Local Prosecutions Expungement of Criminal Records Veterans Treatment Courts Veterans Legal Aid Clinics Immigration Adverse Military Administrative Actions Employment (USERRA) Prosecutors Family Law—divorce, custody, child and spousal support, guardianships Army OneSource Discharge Upgrades Civil Administrative Public Defenders Income Tax VA Benefits Name Change The local Bar Associations Wills and Powers of Attorney Security Clearance Revocations Veterans Affairs (VJOs and VSOs) Consumer Protection Equal Justice Works Landlord/Tenant Correction of Military Records (awards, credit for prior enlistments, as examples) Assistance for pro se actions by the client Community Partners in Housing, Transportation, Employment, Behavioral Health • A National Exchange could: • Assure better data about needs • Build a more reliable pipeline to available services • Improve coordination among and between legal system players • Identify gaps in services