Military Affairs.

AuthorBrice, Vanessa L.
PositionAnnual Reports of Committees of the Florida Bar: 2018-2019

* Military Spouse Rule--In 2018, the Military Affairs Committee finally had the military spouse admission rule approved by the Supreme Court. This is a milestone achievement that permits military spouses to practice in Florida without taking the Bar exam when their spouses are on orders in the state. In March, the first military spouse attorney was admitted to practice under this rule. The committee continues to develop an oversight/mentorship program that will partner admitted military spouses with appropriately qualified supervising attorneys. Supervising attorneys will need to meet minimum professional qualification standards and will serve in a voluntary capacity. Guidelines are being developed to ensure this supervisory role is not unduly burdensome to the mentor/ supervising attorney.

* Website--The committee continues to work on developing a comprehensive resource-based website that will provide direction and assistance to service members and veterans. Areas of need with respect to legal resources sought are being identified, as are ways to address those needs including the provision of pro-bono or reduced-rate services where upfront fees ordinarily would be required.

* Pro Bono Initiative--The committee has been developing a database identifying service and goods resources, particularly for veterans. These services include identifying programs to assist with homelessness where VA services are not available. The program will contain a list of attorneys that could assist with obtaining VA benefits and other social services, etc.

It became clear that this initiative had significant overlap with website's resource-based objective, and it was decided that the subcommittee for the pro bono initiative would work closely with the website subcommittee to facilitate a more comprehensive outcome.

* Veterans' Treatment Courts--The committee is staying abreast of new Veterans' Treatment Courts being established in the various judicial circuits and is offering assistance and volunteers as appropriate.

* Military Rules Conflict--LTC Edward Osheehan, Florida National Guard, staff judge advocate, identified a possible conflict between Florida law and [section][section]1 and 2 of art. V, re: Rules for Guard Courts-Martial. This topic is being research and will be discussed at upcoming meetings.

* 2018 Military Law Symposium --The 2018 Military Law Symposium was the highest attended event hosted by this committee to date. The committee was honored to...

To continue reading

Request your trial

VLEX uses login cookies to provide you with a better browsing experience. If you click on 'Accept' or continue browsing this site we consider that you accept our cookie policy. ACCEPT