Legal Aid

Protect our Defenders

POD’s Legal Services Program is the only program in the country providing free legal services specifically for survivors of military sexual assault and sexual harassment, and bystanders and whistleblowers who are suffering retaliation for intervening or reporting sexual assault or harassment. Services often include victim legal representation for the military justice process, protection from retaliation, discharge records corrections, and assistance with obtaining needed health care.

The National Crime Victim Bar Association

The National Crime Victim Bar Association maintains a nationwide network of attorneys who are dedicated to helping victims of crime rebuild their lives through the Civil Justice system. If you are the victim of a crime and are interested in receiving a referral for a civil attorney, please complete the form below.

NCVBA conducts intake on a victim referral service provided at no cost to victims nationwide to connect victims with our member attorneys.

DoD Safe Helpline Responders Near Me

When you are ready to connect with resources on your base or in your local community, you can use Safe Helpline’s comprehensive database of military and civilian sexual assault service providers to find what you are looking for.

The database includes contact information for the following:

  • Sexual Assault Response Coordinators (SARCs)

  • SAPR Victim Advocates (VAs)

  • Medical and mental health service providers

  • Special Victims’ Counsel or Victims’ Legal Counsel

  • Chaplains

  • Civilian sexual assault service providers

  • Military Police

National Veterans Legal Services Program: Lawyers Serving Warriors Program

NVLSP’s Lawyers Serving Warriors Program offers pro bono legal assistance to veterans from all eras. This program specializes in disability claims. Some of the services they offer are discharge upgrades, applications for Combat-Related Special Compensation, assistance with denials of service connection for PTSD due to military sexual trauma. A complete list of the services they assist with can be found on the NVLSP website.

Connecticut Veterans Legal Center

Connecticut Veterans Legal Center provides free legal assistance to low-income veterans living in Connecticut, helping veterans overcome legal barriers to housing, healthcare, and income. In addition to supporting veterans in civil litigation, CVLC specializes in representing veterans pursuing access to VA benefits and Discharge Upgrades. We are proud to work in Medical Legal Partnership with the VA and other veteran-serving clinicians across the state. For more information on accessing our services, veterans can visit: www.ctveteranslegal.org/veterans.

Swords to Plowshares

We assist with discharge upgrades, VA benefits eligibility, service-connection claims, pension applications, and VA overpayment issues. All former service members residing in the specified locations below are eligible for a free one-time consultation with our attorneys, regardless of era or length of service.

Services are free for Bay Area veterans and their families.

The Veterans Consortium Pro Bono Program

The Veterans Consortium Pro Bono Program provides trained attorneys who specialize in representing veterans throughout their process of challenging a Board of Veterans Appeals denial. They represent the veterans from the start of submitting their initial appeal to the United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (CAVC) throughout each step of the process, to the U.S. Supreme Court, If necessary. The Veterans Consortium services are completely free.

Public Counsel’s Center for Veterans’ Advancement (CVA)

Public Counsel's Center for Veterans' Advancement (CVA), based in Los Angeles, offers free discharge upgrade services to low-income veterans nationwide. We can help improve a lower than honorable discharge status, which may open doors to more benefits and opportunities.

Our trauma-informed team understands the unique challenges veterans’ face, especially those who have experienced Military Sexual Trauma (MST). We work with pro bono attorneys to help veterans draft legal briefs and complete discharge upgrade applications to submit to Discharge Review Boards. Some examples of our services include:

· Changing a discharge status from “Other Than Honorable” to “Honorable” or “General.”

· Assisting survivors of Military Sexual Trauma (MST) in seeking discharge upgrades.

· Veterans who have mental health conditions including PTSD and/or TBI.

· Updating separation reasons that may include discriminatory language related to sexual identity or orientation.

· Handling discharge upgrades for veterans impacted by the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.”

· Supporting name and gender changes on military discharge documents.

Our team is here to help veterans navigate the discharge upgrade process with care and expertise. Please contact CVA to learn more. Fill out our intake form to get started. https://publiccounsel.org/services/veterans/

Veteran Advocacy Project

The Veteran Advocacy Project (“VAP”) provides free legal services to low-income veterans and their families, with a focus on those living with post-traumatic stress, brain injury, and substance dependency.

Our services provide access to health care and benefits, keep families in their homes, and empower veterans by removing barriers to recovery and success.

We are partnered with VA Vet centers, community health clinics, and veterans’ organizations to reach individuals where they are. While our attorneys tackle the legal challenges, our advocates connect clients to culturally competent, trauma-informed resources. VAP ensures veterans and their families achieve the stability needed to regain their health and rebuild their lives.

ABA Federal Free Legal Answers

ABA Free Legal Answers is a virtual legal advice portal for users to ask legal questions, and qualified attorneys can volunteer to provide brief advice to answer questions. Veterans—along with eligible dependents and survivors—can ask about VA benefits, discharge upgrades, and similar veterans’ federal legal issues.

VetLex

VetLex is a national, dedicated web-based network of coordinated pro bono service providers to serve the legal needs of veterans. VetLex does not provide legal services; but provides intake, assessment, and referral envisioned to quickly and effectively connect veterans in need of legal services with those who stand ready to provide them. The platform provides an online tool for obtaining pro bono counsel for specific legal needs, which could be civil, criminal, or administrative (benefit claims, for example). It also provides educational information on basic legal concepts, as well as a convenient repository for paperwork (like DD 214s) that are required multiple times by various service providers.

Stateside Legal

Stateside Legal is an organization dedicated to connecting service members with VA Accredited Advocates who can assist with benefit claim appeals. Stateside Legal assists veterans and their families regardless of service era or branch affiliation.