For the Warrior Community
Active duty service members may wish to go first to Armed Forces Legal Assistance's online database to "locate active duty legal activities offering general legal services within the continental United States". Here is the list for the state of Florida.General-Purpose Resources
Servicemembers, veterans and their families are of course eligible to use the same resources as anyone else.- FloridaLawHelp.org is a good, general-purpose place to start looking for law help in Florida
Private Practice Attorneys
Often, a lawyer in private practice will listen to your situation for 15 or 20 minutes, then give you an idea about how to proceed, in general terms, without charging you. If the matter is something the lawyer can help you with, but must charge for, sometimes you can work out a military-family discount; there are no guarantees however. The Findlaw website has a city-by-city list of lawyers in Florida who are interested in representing active-duty military personnel, military reservists, and veterans here.The Florida Bar Association has a Lawyer Referral Service and a list of similar services run by local bar associations; each has slightly different referral rules and some may charge a fee.
It is likely that there are other Florida programs, sponsored by local bar associations, law schools, and others. Anyone with more information on these or other programs are invited to contact me; the most convenient way is to add in a comment below. The purpose is service!
For Lawyers
The Florida Bar Association has a Standing Committee on Military Affairs"The scope and function of the Military Affairs Committee is twofold: first, to gather and disseminate information, share expertise and advise the members of the Bar on all matters relating to the practice of military law in Florida, and second, to have general jurisdiction regarding any problem which may arise relative to the provision of legal services to, for, or by members of the military establishment. Its function shall be to address issues unique to representation of military members and their families in both civil and criminal matters arising within the State of Florida. Further, the committee will consider all possible means of enhancing or increasing the cooperation and communication between the local bar, the legal offices, and the judge advocates of the various military installations within the state.It also invites attorneys interested in volunteering for a pro bono project or pro bono service to visit FloridaProBono.org
Florida Bar members who have ever served in the U.S. military are asked to complete a short online questionnaire. Information collected will be used by the Military Affairs Committee to recognize service and tap expertise in program development for lawyers in active service as well as veterans."
It is likely that there are other Florida programs, sponsored by local bar associations, law schools, and others. Anyone with more information on these or other programs are invited to contact me; the most convenient way is to add in a comment below. The purpose is service!
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