June 10: Apple Valley, MN - Serving #Veterans and Their Families #MCLE

The Dakota County Law Library and the 1st Judicial District Bar Association (FDBA)offer monthly free Continuing Legal Education sessions. You do not have to be a FDBA member to attend.
Title:
Serving Veterans and Their Families 
When/Where:
June 10, 2014 8-9 a.m.
NOTE THE TIME!
Dakota County Law Library
Apple Valley, MN
Speaker:
Johanna Clyborne Esq.
Brekke, Clyborne & Ribich LLC (Shakopee)
By:
Dakota County Law Library
Credit:
1 CLE credit will be applied for.
More Information

January 14: Minneapolis & Webcast: Military Veterans and Service Members in the Minnesota Criminal Justice System

Are you working with a veteran or service member in the Minnesota criminal justice system? If you are what are the unique challenges they face? What tools are available for you in helping them? Hamline Law alum John Baker (2003), who is retired from the U.S. Marine Corps and is the past chair of the new Minnesota State Bar Association Military & Veterans Affairs Section, will discuss those unique challenges and give you the tools to help work with veterans and service members. This presentation will

• Help you understand what combat stress issues are including post traumatic stress and traumatic brain injury
• Help you properly identify a military veteran or service member and understand military documents and lingo
• Discuss the new Veteran Court and the Veterans Sentencing Mitigation Statute.

Title:
Military Veterans and Service Members in the Minnesota Criminal Justice System
When/Where:
January 14, 2014
11:30 AM to 12:30 PM
Moot Court Room (Room 100)
Hamline Law School
1536 Hewitt Avenue
Saint Paul, MN 55104-1284
Also Webcast
Speaker:
Attorney John Baker, retired from the U.S. Marine Corps, is the past chair of the new Minnesota State Bar Association Military & Veterans Affairs Section
By:
Hamline University School of Law
Credit:
1 credit applied for
Cost:
Free.

More Information And Registration

April 26/Teleconference+Minneapolis: ULC Deployed Parents Visitation and Custody Act

The deployment of a custodial parent raises custody issues that are not adequately dealt with in the law of most states. In many instances, deployment will be sudden, making it difficult to resolve custody issues before the deployment by ordinary child custody procedures. There is a need to ensure that parents who serve their country are not penalized for their service, while still giving adequate weight to the interests of the other parent, and most importantly, the best interest of the child.
Due to the patchwork of various laws across the country and consistent with its mission to harmonize state law, the Uniform Law Commission recently passed the Uniform Deployed Parents Custody and Visitation Act (UDPCVA), a uniform statute that states may adopt to govern child custody and visitation rights when a service member with children is deployed for military service. The Act includes provisions regarding custody and visitation rights during the deployment of a service member, addresses issues regarding a service member's delegation of custody rights, and establishes clear procedures for the resumption of the previous custody arrangement.
Two Minnesota attorneys who served as subject matter experts for the ULC's UDPCVA drafting committee, Kim Bonuomo, family law attorney and shareholder at Moss & Barnett, and Major Lyndsey Olson, General Counsel of the Minnesota National Guard will discuss the provisions of the UDPCVA and what effect passage of UDPCVA would have in Minnesota.
Title:
ULC Deployed Parents Visitation and Custody Act
When/Where:
Tuesday, April 9, 2013
8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.
MSBA Offices
600 Nicollet Mall, Suite 380
Minneapolis, MN 55402
Teleconferencing is available but you must pre-register by April 5th.

Speakers:

• Kim Bonuomo , Family law attorney and shareholder at Moss & Barnett
• Lyndsey Olson , General Counsel of the Minnesota National Guard

By:
Credit:
1 hour of Standard CLE credit applied for
Cost:

• Children and the Law or Military & Veterans Affairs Section Members:  $10.00
• MSBA Members (But Not Children and the Law or Military & Veterans Affairs Section Members):  $15.00
• Non-MSBA Members:  $25.00
• Law Students:  Free

More:
http://www.mnbar.org/sections/military/04-09-13.html

October 23/Web: Military Issues in Family Law Cases Webinar #MCLE

Topics:

• An overview of the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act and it impacts a family law case
• How to serve an active duty party
• Child support when one party is in the military
• Dividing military retirement accounts

Title:
Military Issues in Family Law Cases Webinar
When/Where:
Wednesday - October 23, 2012
Noon - 1pm
WEBINAR
Credit:
1.0 Standard CLE Credit
Presenter: 
Jenna Westby, LEGALnudge LLC
Cost: 
$25; $10 Discounted Rate
More Information and Registration:
http://www.volunteerlawyersnetwork.org/CLEs (scroll down to event)

May 15/St. Paul, MN: #Veterans and The Legal System: Addressing the Realities of Military to Civilian Life #MCLE

This CLE raises awareness about PTSD in veterans. Having served themselves, the presenters understand what veterans go through when they transition from the high-stress military world to civilian life.
Mr. Hunter has represented veterans he believes might have avoided the criminal justice system if their PTSD had been treated. To help those convicted of PTSD-linked non-felony offenses, he advocated for legislation that provides a treatment option, as well as for the Hennepin County Veterans Court. He also gives lectures about PTSD in Iraq and Afghanistan veterans so, they won’t have to suffer silently with the condition.
Mr. Matacastillo was a member of the Minnesota National Guard, had been deployed several times, was an infantry company senior NCO in Iraq with the 3-194 CAB, which stands for Combat Action Badge (awarded since 2001 to soldiers performing duties in an area with hostile fire or imminent danger) and was diagnosed with PTSD.
Title:
Veterans and The Legal System: Addressing the Realities of Military to Civilian Life
When/Where:
Friday, May 18, 2012
Registration | 8:00 a.m. -8:30 a.m.
CLE Program | 8:30 a.m. - noon
Luncheon | 12:15 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Hamline University, Klas Center
1536 Hewitt Avenue St. Paul, MN 55104
[Directions/Map]
Deadline to Register:
May 15, 2012 at noon
Cost:
$25-$45 (depending on status)
Presenters:

• Brockton Hunter, Minneapolis Criminal Defense Attorney and Veteran’s Advocate
• Hector Matascastillo, Former Army First Sergeant and Army Ranger, recipient of the Bronze Star, and a Rapid Response Specialist for the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development

Credit:
3 hours of Elimination of Bias CLE credits applied for
Event Code: 167131
Sponsor:
Minnesota State Bar Association
More:
http://www.mnbar.org/SECTIONS/PUBLIC-LAW/05-18-12.HTML

Apr 13/St. Paul + Webcast: Ready and Willing: Welcoming Returning #Veterans Back into the Workforce #MCLE

During this CLE, we will discuss USERRA, DoD programs to support veterans returning to the workforce, veteran preference laws in Minnesota, state programs to aid veterans in finding work, and legislative initiatives to aid veterans in the workforce.
Title:
Ready and Willing: Welcoming Returning Veterans Back into the Workforce
When/Where: 
1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Local
April 13, 2012
East Hall, Room 106
Hamline University
1536 Hewitt Avenue, Saint Paul, MN 55104-1284
Also available as webcast!
Cost: 
$25 for those seeking CLE credit; free for everyone else
Credits: 
3 standard CLE credits will be applied for.
Note: 
Guests can choose to attend in person or via live webcast.
Contact: 
For more information, contact Anne Markus at 651-523-2943
Registration: 
Hamline Law Veterans Association CLE Registration Form
More:
http://law.hamline.edu/alumni/continuing_ed.html

May 25/Stillwater, MN - Echoes of War: The Combat #Veteran in Criminal Court

The Washington County Law Library(http://www.co.washington.mn.us/info_for_residents/law_library  ) presents this program in coordination with the Washington County Bar Association (http://wcba-mn.org/ ), but membership in the Association is not required for attendance.

Title:
"Echoes of War: The Combat Veteran in Criminal Court"

May 25, 2011 noon-1pm
This CLE will be held in Room 436 of the Washington County Government Center
14949 62nd Street North
Stillwater, Minnesota 55082-0006
Credit:
Two Bias CLE credits will be applied for
Cost:
Free
Speakers:

• Brockton Hunter, Esq.
• Hector Matascastillo, MSW.
• John Baker, Esq.

Suggestions for programs are always welcome and should be directed to the County Law Librarian, who may be reached at 651-430-6330

MORE ABOUT THIS PROGRAM:
http://www.co.washington.mn.us/info_for_residents/law_library/continuing_legal_education

MORE FREE CONTINUING LEGAL EDUCATION:
http://4freecle.blogspot.com/

May 25/Stillwater, MN - Echoes of War: The Combat #Veteran in Criminal Court

The Washington County Law Library(http://www.co.washington.mn.us/info_for_residents/law_library ) presents this program in coordination with the Washington County Bar Association (http://wcba-mn.org/ ), but membership in the Association is not required for attendance.

Title:
"Echoes of War: The Combat Veteran in Criminal Court"
May 25, 2011 noon-1pm

This CLE will be held in Room 436 of the Washington County Government Center
14949 62nd Street North
Stillwater, Minnesota 55082-0006
Two Bias CLE credits will be applied for
Speakers:

* Brockton Hunter, Esq.
* Hector Matascastillo, MSW.
* John Baker, Esq.

Suggestions for programs are always welcome and should be directed to the County Law Librarian, who may be reached at 651-430-6330

MORE:
http://www.co.washington.mn.us/info_for_residents/law_library/continuing_legal_education

Minnesota Legal Assistance to Military Personnel (LAMP)

The legal community in Minnesota provides Legal Assistance to Military Personnel in a variety of ways.

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". As of 2013, it showed one office in St. Paul:
  133rd Minnesota Air National Guard Legal Office
  631 Minuteman Drive
  St. Paul, MN 55111
  Phone: 612-713-2509
  More general information is on the JAG Corps Legal Assistance Page.
• The Minnesota National Guard Office of the Staff Judge Advocate (OSJA) offers general legal assistance to servicemembers, their dependents and retired servicemembers in a variety of areas.
• Veterans will want to check with the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs
• The Minnesota Assistance Council for Veterans: its  Veterans Linkage Line 1-888-LINKVET (546-5838) offers information on veterans' benefits, healthcare, education, and reintegration PLUS Crisis Counselors for for immediate crisis intervention and psychological counseling 24/7. It also has a civil legal assistance program.
• The Minnesota Attorney General has a very helpful Guide for Military Service Personnel and Veterans
• The Minnesota State Court's Self-Help center includes a webpage about special laws and rules about legal actions involving members of the military, such as How to Find a Person's Military Status, The Rights of Servicemembers in Civil Court Cases, and more links of Legal Help for Servicemembers. Learn More Here.

General-Purpose Resources

Servicemembers, veterans and their families are of course eligible to use the same resources as anyone else.

• LawHelpMN is a good, general-purpose place to start looking for law help in Minnesota; it has a page specifically tailored to help veterans.
• Minnesota State Court's Self-Help center.

Private Practice Attorneys

Typically, a lawyer in private practice will listen to your situation, 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, especially if you are easy to work with (e.g. have all your forms with you.)

• The Minnesota State Bar has a Find A Lawyer page with a variety of resources, including a web-based referral system that lets you look for lawyers interested in a particular kind of case (e.g. "military law") or by keyword (e.g. "veterans")
• The Findlaw website has a city-by-city list of lawyers in Minnesota who are interested in representing active-duty military personnel, military reservists, and veterans .

For Lawyers

• The Military & Veterans Affairs Section of the Minnesota State Bar was organized in 2012 to educate its members and members of the Minnesota State Bar Association about the practice of military law and veterans affairs, provide opportunities for its members to network, and to improve the practice of military law and veterans affairs in the Minnesota legal community. If you're a Minnesota attorney interested in this area, seriously consider joining this section!
• VETLAW/Minnesota Assistance Council for Veterans provides assistance throughout Minnesota to positively motivated veterans and their families who are homeless or experiencing other life crisis. Many of these veterans have unresolved legal issues, primarily civil but sometimes including criminal expungements
• One way to find volunteer programs in Minnesota directly addressing the warrior community is to go to the MSBA Pro Bono Directory. In the "Working With" field, pick "Veterans" and his "search". It'll give you a list of programs that include veterans in their target clientele
• See also:
• Minnesota Volunteer Attorney Program: http://www2.mnbar.org/MVAP/
• Pro Justice MN: http://www.projusticemn.org/ "Minnesota's online poverty law resource for pro bono and legal services practitioners, law students, and faculty advising low-income or disadvantaged clients."

It is likely that there are other Minnesota 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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See also

• ABA Military Pro Bono Project
• State-by-state list of LAMP programs