The Nevada National Guard's Adjutant General, Brig. Gen. Bill Burks, addresses Nevada Attorney General, Adam Laxalt, during the launch ceremony of Nevada's Office of Military Legal Assistance program. The office is the first attorney-general facilitated, private-public partnership in the nation focused on assisting servicemembers regardless of branch or duty status.
Nevada Attorney General Adam Paul Laxalt has announced the launch of the Office of Military Legal Assistance, the nation’s first attorney general-led, public-private partnership offering our military communities access to pro bono civil legal services. 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.
“I am proud to honor these military heroes who have given so much in service to this country and state,” said Laxalt. “The Office of Military Legal Assistance is dedicated to addressing the legal gaps in representation for our current military service members. I am encouraged by the overwhelming response from more than 100 local attorneys who have pledged their commitment to our mission, and hold high expectations for this program. It is my hope that the Office of Military Legal Assistance will continue to expand its services and become a lasting legacy for the military families of Nevada.”
In February, Laxalt assembled a comprehensive group of representatives to help shape the parameters of the program. Members of the committee include representatives from the various military components in the state, the National Association of Attorneys General, the Nevada Military Support Alliance, the Nevada Department of Veterans Services, the Nevada Justice Association, Boyd School of Law, statewide and local legal aid centers throughout Nevada, state and county bar associations, and partners from private law firms throughout the state.
“Our men and women in uniform sacrifice so much for our nation, even after their years of service have concluded,” said Nevada’s U.S. Sen. Dean Heller. “I’m proud to see that we have found an innovative way to give back to our active duty soldiers and veterans by providing pro bono legal services for simple civil matters, as well as complicated legal issues. Under Attorney General Laxalt’s leadership, Nevada’s legal and military communities have come together to ensure the success of the Office of Military Legal Assistance, and we are grateful for his guidance.”
“It’s not often that an Army JAG officer has anything nice to say about a NAVY JAG officer, but hats off to my fellow former military legal counsel Attorney General Adam Laxalt for showing real leadership in a way that is already helping military communities in Nevada,” Congressman Mark Amodei added. “This innovative program should serve as an example to the rest of the country on how to get military communities the legal representation they need on issues, which, in many cases, may arise as a result of service to our nation.”
In June, the office launched a pilot program to assess the program’s strengths and weaknesses in preparation for a statewide launch. Since then, the program has assisted nearly 30 service members in Nevada with obtaining legal representation. More than 100 attorneys have pledged a minimum of 10 pro bono hours to the program, totaling more than 1,000 hours of free legal assistance.
“We owe it to the men and women who have worn the uniform to provide access to services that will help improve their quality of life,” said Congressman Joe Heck. “That includes ensuring they receive the benefits they have earned and deserve and connecting them with employment and educational opportunities. Now, through this first-in-the-nation Office of Military Legal Assistance, we will be able to connect veterans with free legal assistance so they can get help with civil cases that can be time consuming and expensive. I commend Attorney General Laxalt for initiating this program in Nevada, and hope it serves as a model to other states around the nation.”
Nevada active duty, Guard and reserve service members in need of legal assistance should contact their local Judge Advocate General’s Office for referral to this program.
Veterans should contact their local Veterans Service Officers through the Nevada Department of Veterans Affairs. For more information about how to receive assistance or participate in the program, visit the website at NVAGOMLA.nv.gov. To view other statements in support of the program, a testimonial and a breakdown of the cases the program has already assisted with, go to the Nevada Guard website.
The Office is grateful to its donors, including the Nevada Military Support Alliance, SWITCH and the Nevada Community Foundation for their support and assistance with this launch.