May 17, 2016
Department of Defense Names Nevada’s First-of-its-Kind Office of Military Legal Assistance a Best Practice Program and a Model for 49 Other States
Carson City, NV – This month, Nevada Attorney General Adam Paul Laxalt celebrates National Military Appreciation Month and reminds Nevada’s military service members, families and veterans to take advantage of new services offered by his first-of-its-kind Office of Military Legal Assistance. Launched in November 2015, the Office is the nation’s first attorney general-led, public-private partnership offering our military communities access to pro bono civil legal services. Recently, the Department of Defense named the Office a “Best Practice Program,” and recommended that the program be duplicated in states throughout the country.
The program pairs Nevada’s active duty, Guard and reserve service members with local attorneys to receive legal assistance for civil matters including: consumer fraud, military rights, immigration, landlord/tenant, predatory lending and creditor/debtor issues. Nevada veterans may also receive assistance with wills and powers of attorney.
The Office of Military Legal Assistance was officially launched in November 2015. To date, the program has helped military personnel and veterans handle over 210 pro bono matters, including an array of pro bono litigation matters and estate planning matters by volunteer attorneys. Recently, the program teamed up with Nevada Legal Services to create collaborative workshops dedicated to drafting free wills and powers of attorney for veterans. Workshops will take place throughout the state, with an upcoming workshop opportunity on May 23 at Las Vegas’ Texas Station from 10 to 4 p.m.
“The liberties we enjoy today are the result of ongoing vigilance and personal sacrifices made by our service members and families past and present,” said Laxalt. “The Office of Military Legal Assistance is dedicated to giving back to our local military heroes by providing them with free legal services, and I’m honored it has been named a ‘Best Practice Program’ by the Department of Defense. It is my hope that this program will demonstrate a commitment to our military communities, and that eligible Nevadans will take advantage of these services.”
Wills and powers of attorney workshops take place once a month throughout the state. Future workshops will be held in Carson City, Churchill County, Douglas County, the City of Henderson, Humboldt County, Laughlin, Lyon County, Mesquite and Nye County. For more information about the program, visit nvagomla.nv.gov . Individuals looking for more information on upcoming workshop opportunities should email HCooney@ag.nv.gov.
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