Bar Association to expand help for veterans - Navy News | News from Afghanistan & Iraq - Navy Times

Bar Association to expand help for veterans

The nation’s top lawyers are expanding plans to help troubled veterans. The American Bar Association is creating a nationwide network of attorneys who provide free legal services to veterans, especially those who have been homeless and suffer from chronic legal problems.

The homeless veterans program is on the agenda for the group’s nationwide meeting in Atlanta on Feb. 9-15.

For example, ABA volunteers help veterans who may face numerous arrest warrants for low-level misconduct in different states or jurisdictions. The attorneys also work with the Veterans Affairs Department to assist veterans who may have their benefits garnished due to unpaid child support or other debts, said Kenneth Goldsmith, the ABA’s legislative counsel in Washington.

The attorneys will also discuss how courts can help female veterans who have mental health problems or face domestic abuse that contributes to their post-traumatic stress disorder.

More information on the ABA meeting is online.