Operation Enduring LAMP

Reservists encounter financial hardships when they are recalled unexpectedly to active duty. They face a gamut of legal problems when they accept lower wages to serve the nation. As reservists leave their jobs, their homes and their families, it is critical that they leave with their legal affairs in order.

Operation Enduring LAMP seeks to mobilize civilian bar associations and attorneys interested in providing free legal assistance to military reserve members called up as part of Operation Enduring Freedom, the United States military response to the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.

Regular military personnel are routinely offered legal assistance before shipping out to foreign shores. The objective of Operation Enduring LAMP is to ensure that the legal needs of reservists are also met. Because of the limits on the military legal system staffed by the JAG Corps, the assistance of civilian lawyers with expertise in local practice and procedure can be necessary during a broad deployment, which could be possible in the current action. Since the beginning of Operation Enduring Freedom, approximately 58,000 military reservists have been called to active duty. While this number is smaller than the mobilization of 250,000 reservists during the Gulf War, assistance from civilian attorneys has been needed in some cases, and the military wants to ensure that help remains in case of a larger mobilization.

Calling All Attorneys - UNCLE SAM WANTS YOU!!!

UNCLE SAM WANTS YOU to provide legal help to our military reservists.
LSBA is recruiting attorney volunteers to provide pro-bono assistance to military reservists who might be called to active duty. Operation Enduring LAMP is an LABA-endorsed project to render free legal aid to military personnel and their families. Legal services are needed for issues not covered by military laws, such as estate and probate, family law, and employment law. Right now, the LSBA is building a database of volunteer attorneys and using this Online LAMP system to put the reservist in touch with the those offering assistance. Please help LAMP by joining and creating a LAMP Profile and help our military get much needed legal assistance.

Using the Online LAMP system is easy. To join, go to: Attorney Volunteer Enrollment

More information on Operation Enduring LAMP can be found on the ABA web site at: www.abanet.org/legalservices/helpreservists/lamphrfaq.html