Recognizing the increasing unmet legal needs of military veterans and active service members, New York State Bar Association President Vincent E. Doyle III has created the Special Committee on Veterans to find innovative ways to expand critical legal assistance to veterans statewide. McConville, Considine partner Paul Barden, who is also a Lieutenant Colonel in the U.S. Army Reserve, has been named to serve on the committee. The committee is comprised of attorneys throughout the state who are familiar with veterans’ issues and is tasked with focusing on the unique legal needs of military veterans and service members. The committee’s goals are to:
- expand the availability of civil legal services to veterans throughout the state;
- develop a model training program for lawyers on veterans issues that can be replicated statewide;
- establish more veterans courts, similar to those now operating in Erie County, Monroe County, Queens County and Suffolk County;
- increase public awareness about military culture, substance abuse, post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury;
- create a legal resource guide for veterans and attorneys.
The committee’s full report and recommendations are expected in April 2012.
