Armed Forces Committee
LACBA's Armed Forces Committee is a means to provide pro bono legal assistance to Veterans, a network for lawyers who have military experience, and the opportunity to coordinate with existing legal service and other nonprofit organizations by developing programs to support and complement each other's efforts.
LACBA’s Commitment to Veterans: Through our Armed Forces Committee, LACBA is committed to identifying and addressing the legal needs of veterans, active military personnel, and reservists.
Join Us in Making a Difference: We welcome judges, lawyers, paralegals, and law students who are interested in assisting service personnel and veterans across a wide spectrum of legal matters including family law and immigration, two areas traditionally underserved within the military.
Legal Assistance for Service Members: The AFC aims to provide comprehensive legal assistance to members of the armed forces, with a strong emphasis on offering pro bono services to veterans. We recognize the valuable work of various legal service organizations, including other sections and committees within LACBA, and seek to support, augment, and coordinate these existing efforts to maximize our impact.
Join the Urgent Effort: Volunteer as an SCRA Attorney
In 2026, the Armed Forces Committee launched an urgent initiative to connect attorney-volunteers with veterans and active-duty service members facing legal challenges under the Servicemember Civil Relief Act (SCRA). This targeted program, developed in partnership with the Superior Court of Los Angeles and the Counsel for Justice Veterans Project, aims to protect the rights of military personnel, ensuring they receive the advocacy and legal support they deserve—whether stationed in California or deployed overseas.
Why Volunteer?
- California has the largest military population in the nation, including more than 155,000 active-duty service members and over 52,000 National Guard or Reserve members.
- Service members face unique legal challenges when called away for deployment, extended training, or temporary assignments.
- SCRA attorney-volunteers help safeguard service member rights, especially when they cannot advocate for themselves.
- This initiative offers a meaningful opportunity for attorneys to make a real impact in the lives of those who serve our country.
What Volunteers Do
- Receive comprehensive training on SCRA protections and procedures.
- Assist with requests for stays before default judgments or during civil proceedings.
- Help set aside default judgments and provide practical guidance to service members.
- Support cases including unlawful detainer, child support, and other civil matters.
The LACBA Armed Forces Committee coordinates with the Counsel for Justice Veterans Project and the Superior Court to swiftly match service members with the legal support they need. Volunteers are essential to meeting the growing demand for pro bono legal assistance.
How to Volunteer
If you are a California attorney interested in volunteering and making a difference for those who serve, please fill out the form below.
Please note, the form below is for attorneys wishing to volunteer. If you are a veteran seeking assistance, please visit the CFJ here.
The Valor Guide is an index of legal service providers for veterans in Los Angeles County area that was compiled by Loyola Law School at the direction of former Armed Forces Committee Chair Adam Siegler.
LACBA Counsel for Justice Veterans Legal Services Project
LACBA Counsel for Justice, the charitable arm of LACBA, operates the Veterans Legal Services Project. This project provides free legal assistance to veterans on a wide range of legal matters, including housing, disability accommodations, consumer rights, estate planning, family law, expungements, and discharge upgrades. Our goal is to help veterans overcome legal obstacles and achieve greater stability and success in their civilian lives.
Click here to learn more about LACBA Counsel for Justice
Committee Leadership
2025-2026 Leadership Roster Coming Soon
