When Senior Airman Clark* received orders to make a permanent change of station to Europe, he and his wife found themselves in a predicament.
While stationed in Texas, Clark and his wife were caring for her teenage cousin. The child’s mother had become homeless—living on the streets—due to major substance abuse problems, and the father had passed away. Clark and his wife needed to obtain a formal custody order before bringing the child with them to their new base in Europe.
Clark and his wife were unable to afford an attorney, so his military legal assistance attorney (JAG) referred him to the ABA Military Pro Bono Project. The ABA Military Pro Bono Project located an attorney, Morris Albers II, who practices in La Grange, Texas, and generously offered pro bono assistance.
*Name changed for the client’s confidentiality.
With Albers’s help through guardianship proceedings, the child was able to move to Europe to remain in the care of this military family. The family was relieved that the child could remain in a safe and stable environment with them while Clark continued serving our country abroad.
“Everyone leaves smiling,” Albers said. “It was particularly gratifying that a military family benefited.”
Kudos to Albers for lending a hand to our military personnel and their families, recognizing the sacrifices they make on behalf of us all!
Show You Care: Texas attorneys who are volunteering through the ABA Military Pro Bono Project are assisting military members facing a variety of civil legal challenges, including family law issues, creditor and consumer problems, landlord-tenant matters, and others. These cases can be uniquely challenging for military members who cannot afford attorneys, especially when these issues can distract them from their critical missions. For more information, contact project director Mary C. Meixner at mary.meixner@americanbar.org.
For more information on pro bono opportunities across Texas, contact the State Bar of Texas – Legal Access Division at (800) 204-2222, ext. 1855 or at probono@texasbar.com.
Interested in issues affecting the military and veterans law? Join the Military and Veterans Law Section. Members include active duty, reserve, and retired judge advocates of all branches of the military, as well as civilian lawyers.