Florida to provide free legal counsel to military

  • Published
  • By Jasmine Porterfield
  • Team Eglin Public Affairs

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis unveiled a new initiative geared toward helping service members with civil legal affairs during a press conference at the Air Force Armament Museum April 18.

The Governor’s Initiative on Lawyers Assisting Warriors aims to provide free legal counsel to active-duty military involving civil matters, including actions in court. GI LAW is a collaborative effort between the governor’s office, Florida Departments of Military and Veterans Affairs, and Enterprise Florida Inc., an economic development organization for the state.

“When people have their affairs outside of their job taken care of, they’re going to perform their job better,” said the governor. “We’re harnessing all of the talent we have throughout Florida and bringing those resources to the service member.”

DeSantis and his team addressed areas of concern involving support to active-duty service members and veterans across Florida. One of the gaps identified was service members’ access to legal services.

While military attorneys and paralegals can assist service members and their dependents with legal services, they are limited in the support they can provide for personal civil legal matters. Military legal assistance cannot represent clients in court, prepare or file documents with a court, or advise persons who have hired a civilian attorney on the same subject.

The team saw a need to bridge the gap and partnered with several of Florida’s major law firms to provide assistance to service members for free, or pro bono.  

Military members looking for assistance can contact their local military legal assistance officer. That officer will complete an online application on a soon-to-be live webpage at Enterprise Florida’s website, according to DeSantis. From there, GI LAW leadership will facilitate appropriate legal representation with participating firms.

The program is currently open to active-duty service members, however, the governor hopes to expand services to veterans as GI LAW grows.

“We have the third largest veteran population in the country,” said DeSantis. “[The military] is a big part of who we are as a state.”

GI LAW was organized on the heels of DeSantis’ Forward March initiative that unites the combined resources of Florida’s state agencies, veterans’ service organizations, private partners and local communities to provide effective services and support for veterans.

“You’re there for us; we’re going to be there for you,” said Danny Burgess, Florida VA executive director and Army Reserve JAG officer. “This is just the beginning.”