ATJ Update

What’s that Sound?

Veterans Day presented the opportunity to pay tribute to the courageous men and women who served in the active and reserve branches of our U.S. Armed Forces.  Texas is home to more than 1.6 million veterans, the second largest veteran population in the nation, according to the Department of Veterans Affairs.  In countries across the world, some of these men and women have seen and tasted war, while others can attest their presence maintained peace.  Sadly, many return to civilian life and face myriad issues in the land they call home. 

It is estimated that at least 5 percent of the veteran population is homeless.  Roughly 30 percent of Vietnam veterans and 11 to 20 percent of post-9/11 wartime veterans have had PTSD in their lifetime, according to the Department of Veterans Affairs.   In 2015, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported 20 percent of all veterans had a service-connected disability, and 4.6 percent of veterans were unemployed.

Thankfully, there are legal aid programs and pro bono lawyers to boldly fight for justice and help combat these daunting statistics.  Last year alone, legal service providers helped 8,000 veterans with their civil legal needs. This year, to commemorate Veterans Day and to help our Texas veterans, 70 legal aid clinics, community workshops, and continuing legal education seminars were hosted around the state.

Legal aid has fought and won several battles.  It provided the intervention Sgt. Ray Mitchum needed to secure critical medical care and a service dog to treat his PTSD.  Ms. Wilson, a veteran of World War II and Korea, was able to keep her home because legal aid fought on her behalf against a wrongful foreclosure.  When Staff Sgt. Douglas Garcia returned from deployment and learned of his former wife’s substance abuse problem, a private attorney stepped in to fight for Staff Sgt. Garcia to protect his children.

The legal battles aren’t over.  As lawyers, every day each of us is presented an opportunity to return the gift of their selfless acts by taking a case or making a financial contribution to support legal aid.  The call to duty is still sounding.  Each year, the Texas Access to Justice Commission responds by hosting its annual Champions of Justice Gala fundraiser, which funds legal services programs around the state.  Gala fundraising efforts last year supplied additional resources to 15 legal aid providers around the state that specifically support veterans seeking civil legal assistance.

In closing, we recall the sage words of Winston Churchill: “We sleep safely at night because rough men (and women) stand ready to visit violence on those who would harm us.” And we ask, will you fight for these brave men and women so that no harm befalls them? 

To get involved, legal services programs that serve veterans and receive funds from the Gala are listed below. For additional resources, visit the State Bar’s Texas Lawyers for Texas Veterans webpage.

Austin Bar Foundation Veterans Pro Bono Project

Baylor University School of Law Veterans Clinic Program

Beacon Law

Community Justice Program of the San Antonio Bar

Fort Bend Lawyers Care

Houston Bar Foundation Pro Bono Veterans Initiative

Jefferson County Bar Foundation Pro Bono Veterans Project

Legal Aid of NorthWest Texas

Lone Star Legal Aid

Oficina Legal del Pueblo Unido Inc. (Texas Civil Rights Project)

South Texas College of Law Houston Civil Practice Clinics

Tarrant County Bar Foundation Veterans Pro Bono Program

Texas A&M Research Foundation Law School Clinic

Texas Legal Services Center

Texas RioGrande Legal Aid