Serving Our Veterans in the Law
MBA partners with U.S. Trust to consolidate resources for veterans in need
The MBA and U.S. Trust, Bank of America Private Wealth Management have partnered to provide a pro bono program for veterans. Dozens of attorneys attended a free training in September to learn how to offer their complimentary services to veterans, who are struggling to navigate the legal system in the area of benefits.
In addition, trained lawyers will participate in Veterans Dial-A-Lawyer programs and will visit veterans’ service offices throughout the state when needed to discuss legal issues.
Click the links below to read more about this initiative in previous issues of Lawyers Journal and press releases:
By Kelsey Sadoff
The Massachusetts Bar Association held its second Dial-A-Lawyer Program devoted exclusively to addressing the legal needs of veterans, receiving more than 100 phone calls on April 9. Volunteer attorneys at the MBA’s Boston office offered free advice to veterans with pressing legal questions concerning landlord/tenant disputes, benefits and family issues.
By Kelsey Sadoff
The first Veterans Dial-A-Lawyer Program, held Oct. 25, offered U.S. veterans the opportunity to receive free legal advice, via telephone, from volunteer lawyers as a public service of the Massachusetts Bar Association.
By Kate O’Toole and Jennifer Rosinski
Forty-seven attorneys from a variety of cities and areas of practice attended the Massachusetts Bar Association’s daylong training session on Sept. 27 that aimed to teach attorneys how to offer free legal aid to veterans. The program was offered by the MBA and U.S. Trust, Bank of America Private Wealth Management.
by Kate O'Toole
Lisa LaFera majored in psychology and criminal justice at Middle Tennessee State University, taking classes part time while she served in the U.S. Air Force. During college, LaFera once asked one of her professors — a former public defender — about the best way to start a career as a paralegal.
“He said to me, ‘Lisa, why be a paralegal? Have you thought about going to law school?’ And the thought had never occurred to me,” LaFera recalled.