Bench & Bar March/April 2025

FEATURE: MILITARY LAW

The 96 Pro Bono Exchange of Kentucky is my ongoing effort to continue to serve veterans and military families within my sphere of influence. 13 The Exchange, which will be shepherded and supervised by the Military and Veterans Law Committee of the Kentucky Bar Association, is focused on creating a network of attorneys who have

Likewise, we were challenged by excep tional academics, senior leaders, and policy makers who served during the Bush 41, Clinton, Bush 43, and Obama Administra tions. Their collective understanding and discourse on leadership development, advo cacy, and/or community engagement in the military and veterans sphere is unparalleled.

a military background and/or extensive expe rience serving veteran clients. Ideal candidates to lead this charge are attor neys whose legal careers are buttressed by (1) a military university education ( i.e. , military universities located at West Point, Annapolis, Colorado Springs, New London, or Kings Point); (2) a DD214 or NGB 22 (ARNG or ANG) demonstrating honorable

to 96 pro-bono hours acting as advisors or subject matter experts (SMEs) following one or two pathways to ensure that legal guidance on civil matters afforded to Ken tucky’s veterans and their families is vetted by attorneys who understand the circum stances integral to improving the lives of veterans and military families. The Legal Advisory Pathway will engage directly with veterans to understand their stories and provide guidance for their civil law inquiries. The Subject Matter Expert Pathway will encompass conferring with and educating attorneys throughout Ken tucky’s 120 counties about circumstances facing the military and veteran community to improve their engagement with and rep resentation of veteran clients. Although the scope of assistance available will be determined by the number of attor neys of the Commonwealth available to support the Exchange, the objective is to assist Kentucky’s military veterans with not

military service; (3) federal GI Bill benefits (post-9/11 GI Bill, the Montgomery GI Bill Active Duty, or Selected Reserve); and/or (4) any one of Kentucky’s veterans’ tuition waivers available under KRS 164.505, KRS 164.507, KRS 164.512, or KRS 164.515. Attorneys who already have a robust prac tice focused on serving Kentucky’s veterans would also be value-adds to the Exchange. Service would include a commitment of up

As leaders in our own right, the Classix also shared our stories in a safe space, exchanged resources, and championed each other as we collectively ushered 34 PLPs from goals to sustainable additions to this vital national movement. On October 18, 2024, the Classix transi tioned from Cohort Six Scholars to Stand-To Alumni, as we joined approximately 250 other Stand-To Veteran Leadership Pro gram graduates from Cohorts One through Five. We also committed to serve as ‘force multipliers’ in an ongoing effort to maxi mize our impact as we continue to serve veterans and military families. As a Stand-To alumni, I am fully committed to two impactful commitments fostered by President George W. Bush: “Our warriors are the one percent of America who kept the 99 percent safe. We have a duty to help make their transitions as successful as possible.” 11 *********** “America’s veterans have taken on the toughest tasks imaginable. Now it’s our turn to continue to help.” 12

just surviving but thriving in the Commonwealth. Thus, the types of guidance may focus on starting veteran-owned businesses; real estate matters; credit protection and repair; marriage, divorce, and child support; consumer protec tion; and for the renegade veterans who want to do it themselves, guid ance in preparing them to be better pro se litigants. It is my belief that, by offering these services, the 96 Pro Bono Exchange of Kentucky will bridge the gap between the civil legal services offered to retirees by the DOD and the services offered by Legal Aid offices to those who have limited financial resources, thereby raising the bar on legal services available to

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