Military Legal Assistance Team is accepting referrals
Jefferson City, Mo. – Missouri Attorney General Josh Hawley today reiterated his commitment to Missouri’s military servicemembers and veterans announcing that the Military Legal Assistance Team (MLAT) is now providing pro bono legal aid to those with qualifying legal needs. In December, AG Hawley announced the formation of an advisory board to develop Missouri’s first statewide attorney general-led program offering military communities access to pro bono civil legal services.
In conjunction with the work of the advisory board, the MLAT has established five pillars for qualifying legal issues. These include protecting the legal rights of military servicemembers under the Servicemembers Civil Relief Action (SCRA), the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA), and state law; combatting predatory business practices that target Missouri’s military communities; providing educational presentations related to consumer protection issues, civil legal protections for service members, and MLAT services; ensuring employment rights afforded by state law are met in the event of activation for State Emergency Duty; and providing estate planning clinics for veterans.
“My Office is committed to providing legal assistance to veterans and our brave men and women currently in uniform who choose to sacrifice so much for their country,” Hawley said. “These men and women put their lives on the line to protect us and keep us safe at home in Missouri. We must do all that we can to support them—and I encourage all Missouri attorneys to consider participating in this worthy program.”
In order to provide these pro bono services, the MLAT relies on volunteer attorneys. Interested attorneys can submit a form on the AGO website or email Scotty Allen (scotty.allen@ago.mo.gov) directly. There is no minimum hourly requirement, and there is no obligation to accept a referral once you have volunteered. Servicemembers interested in pro bono representation should apply through their unit’s JAG office.
