Mr. Seltzer has demonstrated his commitment to clients and the broader military community. He worked tirelessly for more than eighteen months researching and advocating for a change in New Jersey Department of Taxation policies that penalized non-resident service members. In the spring of 2019, a tax bulletin amended the definition of « permanent residence » to exclude housing paid for by government housing allowances. This change, which was made without legislation or public notice, resulted in several legal aid clients receiving communications alleging that they had not properly registered as non-residents. The efforts of Mr. Seltzer, both internally, in collaboration with the Army Legal Aid Policy Division and the Armed Forces Tax Council, and externally, to find a New Jersey attorney, resulted in New Jersey reversing the rule change and initiating reimbursements to affected military personnel. Lord. Seltzer has demonstrated other notable achievements, such as advocating for legislation unanimously approved by the Maryland General Assembly to extend the property tax exemption to 100% disabled veterans, as well as his ongoing advocacy for an exemption from approval of the Maryland Phone Tapping Act that would allow survivors of domestic violence to admit audio recordings as corroborating evidence. These efforts reflect the dedication and attention to detail that Mr. Seltzer brings to his work every day. Article 15 is initiated and supervised by your commander. If you are found guilty, you can appeal the decision.

While a conviction may not appear on your permanent criminal record, it can result in separation proceedings from the Air Force. The law firm will continue to hold section 137 personal briefings on Tuesdays at 10 a.m. Many Americans seem to assume that judge advocates practice only in the areas of military justice and industrial law — an impression that has long been reinforced in film, television and media. But the average military knows and appreciates that most military legal services provided by JAG officers and their civilian legal colleagues fall under legal aid. These civil law services deal with the same day-to-day issues related to consumer law, family law, landlords and tenants and other legal issues that entangle civilians, with the added complication that deployed soldiers are entitled to additional legal protection when deployed thousands of kilometres from their home territory, and the understanding that unresolved legal issues undermine military morale and readiness. compromise. The Parris Island Legal Services Support Team (LSST-PI) Legal Support Office showed how to meet the highest standards. The expertise, knowledge and work ethic have allowed this office to achieve excellent results despite extremely limited staff. The volume and variety of clients that the office can handle is remarkable. A total of 6,394 services were provided. These include assisting 87 clients with various consumer protection and fraud claims; Consulting, drafting and executing 488 different estate planning documents; Advice, drafting, implementation and assistance in the submission of 790 family law cases; assisting 71 clients with immigration matters; Advice and research on military rights and benefits of 57 clients; Notarization of 4,603 documents; Assisted and advised 24 clients on non-support issues for dependents; Preparation and execution of special powers of attorney for 93 clients; Assist 85 clients in landlord-tenant business; Assisting 13 clients in various tax matters; and the treatment of 123 other different legal issues.

This office has also demonstrated self-improvement by focusing on reorganization, including the development of a streamlined document management system, as well as mentoring new officers. The OHSA-PI Legal Aid Office showed how to do more with less. Captain Mitchell McCulley was distinguished by his superior performance and achievements as a lawyer. The Parris Island Legal Services Support Team (OHSA-PI) Legal Support Office experienced a 60% reduction due to staff turnover, while the office experienced a 33% year-over-year increase in clients. During this time, Captain McCulley excelled through these challenges, diligently leading the office with innovative methods to effectively manage files, maintain client overflow, and train five officers, three salaried staff and one civilian paralegal. During his tenure as Legal Aid Officer, Captain McCulley undertook to enroll in and complete the Legal Center & School of the Judge Advocate General`s Legal Aid Course and Tax Law Course. These courses have greatly enhanced his ability to effectively support clients and set up the tax center for calendar year 2021. In addition, Captain McCulley has assisted the Administrative Law Department by chairing several administrative separation committees.

The law firm provides free and confidential personal civil legal advice to eligible clients of the 35 FWs, including serving and retired military personnel and their dependents. Legal aid lawyers can prepare wills and medical instructions, including living wills and medical powers of attorney. If you would like a lawyer to prepare a will for you, please visit the Air Force Legal Assistance website, complete the estate planning package and email your ticket number to 35fw.ja@us.af.mil. The LAMP Distinguished Service Award program highlights paths in military legal assistance that others could follow. Once again this year, all candidates from both uniformed services for the LAMP Distinguished Service Award deserve to be recognized for their outstanding achievements. The Committee selected the following recipients of the AMP Distinguished Service Award. The Western Pacific Legal Aid Department of the Regional Bureau of Legal Services (RLSO) has renewed and adapted its practice to provide legal assistance to our country`s Advanced Service members during the ongoing pandemic. RLSO Western Pacific has partnered with Department of Homeland Security officials to resume military naturalizations in Japan for the first time since October 2019. These efforts resulted in 121 naturalization interviews and 105 new Americans at Western Pacific RLSO events. The Legal Aid Division focused on personnel service in the Western Pacific by conducting 100 deployments for nearly 3,700 soldiers, retirees, Department of Defence civilians and dependents.

SRO Western Pacific has also enhanced its preventative legal documents in an effort to answer common questions from potential clients without the need for a lawyer appointment. This resulted in 19 updated documents and eight new ones. The Legal Aid Department has also used technology to improve service to foreign clients by piloting a special proxy printing program and saving resources by creating a digital, fillable form to meet the requirements of marriage in Japan. Over the course of 2021, RLSO Western Pacific has adapted to the challenges of providing legal assistance in a COVID-19 environment abroad. The department has set the standard for excellence and service for the fleet. As U.S. Coast Guard Legal Counsel for the State of Alaska, Richard Harris provided exceptional legal services to Coast Guard members, dependents and retirees throughout Alaska and in the midst of a global pandemic. He demonstrated careful representation of clients under the Expanded Legal Aid Program (ELAP), which increased the use of ELAP in D17. As an Alaskan law expert, Mr. Harris has represented a significant number of clients with emerging issues in litigation involving members of the department throughout Alaska.