Armed Forces Committee’s Urgent Call to Assist Military Personnel Facing Legal Challenges

LACBA's Armed Forces Committee has developed and launched an initiative to help veterans and active-duty service members who are facing legal challenges.

In response to a growing influx of service members in need of legal assistance under the Servicemember Civil Relief Act (SCRA), the LACBA Armed Forces Committee has launched a targeted initiative in partnership with the Superior Court of Los Angeles and the Counsel for Justice Veterans Project to support veterans and active-duty personnel facing legal challenges. This urgent effort was created to address the increasing demand and ensure that those who serve receive the protection and advocacy they need.

This project gives California attorneys a unique opportunity to help protect military personnel, even when duty calls them far from home.

Due to a significant increase in requests for assistance from the Los Angeles Superior Court, the Committee is actively seeking attorney-volunteers for 2026 to provide legal assistance and protection to service members in state and abroad.

Attorneys interested in volunteering and making a difference in the lives of those who serve are encouraged to email Ryan.Ghassemi@gtlaw.com for more information or to sign up.

About the SCRA Volunteer Program

SCRA attorney-volunteers will help ensure that service member rights are upheld, particularly when they cannot advocate for themselves due to deployment, temporary assignments, or extended training.

Volunteers will go through a comprehensive how-to training, focusing on:

• Requesting stays before default judgments when servicemembers have not received notice
• Setting aside default judgments
• Requesting stays during civil proceedings when service members have notice
• Practical guidance for supporting servicemembers under the SCRA

California is home to the largest military population in the country, which includes more than 155,000 active-duty servicemembers and over 52,000 National Guard or Reserve members. With more than 160,000 servicemembers, many of whom are from California, currently deployed or stationed overseas, the need for legal protection has never been greater. These service members are especially vulnerable to legal actions that may occur in their absence.

The SCRA provides vital protections for active duty servicemembers, such as safeguarding against eviction without a fair hearing and allowing for stays in civil proceedings when military duties prevent attendance. The LACBA Armed Forces Committee is assisting veterans and servicemembers to take advantage of the protections offered by the SCRA, particularly in unlawful detainer and child support actions as well as other civil matters.

The LACBA Armed Forces Committee receives requests for pro bono counsel from the Counsel for Justice Veterans Project, which collects them from the Court. The Committee then ensures that service members are swiftly connected to the appropriate legal support by coordinating with volunteers and relevant resources