Local attorneys volunteer to provide free legal assistance to military personnel

Oct. 23, 2001

Nearly 100 Milwaukee area attorneys will join a statewide volunteer effort to provide free legal assistance to military personnel called to active duty, and their families. In order to prepare for this initiative, the attorneys will attend a Military Legal Assistance Video Seminar at the Radisson - Milwaukee West (2303 N. Mayfair Road) on Wednesday, October 24 beginning at 1:30 p.m. The seminar, hosted by the State Bar of Wisconsin and the Wisconsin National Guard, will be replayed simultaneously at 10 other locations statewide.

The two-hour program will focus on the Soldiers' and Sailors' Civil Relief Act, which affords protection against court actions, reduction in interest rates on outstanding indebtedness, and allows leases to be terminated. The program will also cover the Uniform Services Employment and Re-employment Rights Act of 1994, the law that protects guard members' and reservists' jobs, benefits and re-employment rights while they are defending the nation.

Program instructors will include National Guard Col. Mathew Dew, state judge advocate, Lt. Col. Terence McArdle, deputy state judge advocate, and Atty. Gerald Mowris, State Bar president.