The purpose of this Section shall be to promote the goals and objectives of the South Carolina Bar in the fields of law controlling or affecting the military community. Objectives include improving liaison between and professional education of the military and civilian communities, stimulating research and development, seeking uniformity in legislation and administration, and improving the application of justice in these fields of law.

Section Goals
1. Increase membership and participation within the Section.
2. Conduct S.C. Law for Military Attorneys Seminar.
3. Coordinate with LAMP Program to obtain assistance.
4. Provide support to JAG on-site conferences that may be held in S.C. throughout the year.
5. Publish a reference guide or smart book as a point of contact list.
6. Establish law school outreach.
7. Outreach to members with coin recognition.
8. Assist Veterans Administration to establish a Veterans Court in S.C.
9. Coordinate with the Veterans Legal Resource Committee to establish a Guardian ad Litem program for Veterans.

Upcoming Events
S.C. Law for Military Attorneys Seminar
October 3, 2013
Bar Conference Center, Columbia
Additional information is forthcoming.

2014 Bar Convention
January 23-26
Kiawah Island Golf Resort
Section Seminar: Saturday, January 25, 8:30-11:45 a.m.
Additional information is forthcoming.

Veterans Legal Clinic
S.C. Appleseed Legal Justice Center is partnering with the Veteran Justice Outreach Program at the Dorn VA Medical Center to establish Pro Bono Veteran Legal Clinics in Columbia for low-income veterans. The goal is to connect them with local attorneys who will provide one-on-one pro bono legal representation for specific issues. The clinic will meet once per month at the VA Dorn Medical Center starting in the fall of 2013. The service areas for outreach include Richland, Lexington, Sumter, Florence, Orangeburg, York, Anderson and Greenwood counties. Training will be provided to the volunteer attorneys (CLE credit will be available). Volunteers are needed who can commit a few hours once per month to meet with veterans at the clinic and take on representation beyond the clinic, if necessary. Many of these issues are not complicated or time consuming, but they could make a world of difference to our veterans.

Issue Areas
· Assist veterans to obtain various forms of identification, including state IDs, driver’s licenses, Social Security cards and birth certificates.
· Represent veterans in family court for modifications to child support as well as visitation.
· Work with veterans to determine if they are eligible for an expungement in South Carolina and assist them with following the proper procedure for filling out paperwork with the solicitor’s office. Represent veterans throughout the pardon process, including representing them when they appear before the pardon board.
· Assist veterans with various consumer and creditor issues, including auto title loans, repossession, predatory lending.
· Draft simple wills for veterans.
· SSI Disability Volunteer attorneys will help veterans apply for benefits and handle appeals as necessary.

For additional information or to volunteer, please contact Ashley R. Thomas at athomas@scjustice.org or (803) 779-1113, ext. 113 before July 1.

S.C. State Office of Veterans' Affairs

S.C. NOVA Attorneys

Accredited VA Attorneys

Section Bylaws

Minutes:
May 2012
August 2012

Section Council

Staff contact:
Tara Caine
tcaine@scbar.org
(803) 799-6653, ext. 146