10 November/December 2011 <strong>Rhode</strong> <strong>Island</strong> <strong>Bar</strong> Journal
<strong>Rhode</strong> <strong>Island</strong> National Guard General Praises <strong>Bar</strong>’s Volunteer US Armed Forces Legal Service Project (l-r): <strong>Bar</strong> President William J. Delaney; Lieutenant Colonel Vivian Caruolo; <strong>Bar</strong> Public Services Director Susan Fontaine; Past <strong>Bar</strong> President Victoria M. Almeida, and Major General Kevin R. McBride. Major General Kevin R. McBride, Adjutant General and Commanding General of the <strong>Rhode</strong> <strong>Island</strong> National Guard and Lieutenant Colonel Vivian Caruolo, Staff Judge Advocate of the <strong>Rhode</strong> <strong>Island</strong> National Guard came to the <strong>Rhode</strong> <strong>Island</strong> <strong>Bar</strong> Association’s September House of Delegates meeting to thank the <strong>Bar</strong> for its excellent volunteer member and <strong>Bar</strong> staff efforts on behalf of those serving in the military and their families. <strong>The</strong> <strong>Rhode</strong> <strong>Island</strong> <strong>Bar</strong> Association’s unique United States Armed Forces Legal Services Project (Project), initiated by Past <strong>Rhode</strong> <strong>Island</strong> <strong>Bar</strong> Association President Victoria M. Almeida, launched in late 2009, and directly administered by the <strong>Rhode</strong> <strong>Island</strong> <strong>Bar</strong>’s Public Services Department is specifically designed to provide a wide range of civil law legal services and assistance to those serving in the military and their families. Qualifying individuals include: active and reserve military personnel; reserve component members undergoing pre-mobilization legal Resolving legal issues before heading into harm’s way provides soldiers with peace of mind so they can focus on what they have to do to come home safe. Similarly, the services you provide to our troops at home lifts a burden…Keep doing what you are doing. It means so much to us. CAPTAIN MICHAEL P. JOLIN preparation; veterans (including those receiving disability); and family members and surviving family of the aforementioned groups. <strong>The</strong>re are no income limitations for legal assistance. However, requests for help are primarily received from personnel whose income would qualify for pro bono or reduced fee representation. Requests are received from all branches of the military including the <strong>Rhode</strong> <strong>Island</strong> National Guard and the United States Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, Coast Guard, and war veterans. Participating volunteer attorneys are recruited through: all-member email appeals; <strong>Rhode</strong> <strong>Island</strong> <strong>Bar</strong> Journal articles with corresponding sign-up invitations; through the <strong>Bar</strong>’s website’s Members Only section; during the <strong>Bar</strong>’s Annual Meeting; and through related <strong>Bar</strong> Continuing Legal Education (CLE) workshops and programming. Many participating volunteer attorneys are affiliated with the military either through their previous service or that of a family member. Coordinated with the Attorney-Advisor at the Office of the Staff Judge Advocate, volunteer attorneys directly represent military personnel, accepting civil law cases including family law, probate issues, landlord/tenant, real estate, contracts, consumer, bankruptcy, collections, employment, immigration/naturalization, and income tax. Direct referrals are received, and cases are also referred through, the Judge Advocate General, recruiting offices, the local United States Veterans Administration, the <strong>Rhode</strong> <strong>Island</strong> Veterans, Home, <strong>Rhode</strong> <strong>Island</strong> social service agencies, and the <strong>Rhode</strong> <strong>Island</strong> Homeless Legal Clinic. With the first case placed on August 18, 2009, the Project currently has over 80 participating volunteer attorneys, and over 200 cases placed in areas including: veterans’ benefits; consumer issues; family law; probate; real estate; and other legal <strong>Rhode</strong> <strong>Island</strong> <strong>Bar</strong> Journal November/December 2011 11
Change language