Need legal help? Let Vance Judge Advocate get you pro bono assistance

  • Published
  • By 2nd Lt. James A. Forrest
  • 71st Flying Training Wing Legal Office
VANCE AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --  The Vance Legal Office provides various legal services for servicemembers, dependents and retirees including wills, powers of attorney, legal assistance and advance medical directives.

However, when the attorney determines a case is beyond that which can be provided by the legal assistance program, the attorney may offer options for getting free legal representation.

There are two programs that offer pro bono legal assistance for those who qualify.

The Oklahoma Bar Association's Heroes Program provides legal advice and assistance to veterans, enlisted servicemembers and activated guardsmen and reservists who earn less than $40,000 annually. Uniformed applicants must be E-6 and below. Veterans and retirees seeking assistance must have an Honorable Discharge and the legal issue must be within the state of Oklahoma.

Qualified individuals can request assistance through the OBA website at www.okbar.org/heroes/RequestAssistance.aspx without a referral from the legal assistance office. 

The American Bar Association Military Pro Bono Project connects eligible, active-duty enlisted servicemembers with pro bono attorneys to assist with the resolution of civil legal issues. 

Troops E-6 and below are eligible for assistance through the ABA Project. For members E-7 or above, a legal assistance attorney in the Vance Legal Office may refer you to the ABA Project, but only in special cases. 

Immediate family members of a qualified servicemembers may also get an ABA Project referral from a legal assistance attorney in the Vance Legal Office.

To get an ABA Project referral, you must schedule an appointment with the Vance Legal Office.

For more information about this program, visit the ABA Project website at www.militaryprobono.org.

In both pro bono programs, there is no guarantee that a volunteer attorney will be available to address your needs. For more information about this topic, contact the Vance Legal Office at 213-7404.