In the coming months and years, more OIF/OEF veterans will need attorneys' help in getting disability payments they're entitled to, and representing them in the occasional criminal matter. It's important for veterans and their families to find experienced attorneys who are knowledgeable about veterans' issues, and ideally are also compassionately disposed towards veterans and their families, and the particular struggles they might undergo, including PTSD. We can think of several cases from the past few years, where returning veterans with PTSD committed crimes and needed representation that could effectively convey their side to a judge or jury: Daniel Cotnoir, Eric Acevedo, and, had he lived, Travis Twiggs (for the carjacking and resisting arrest in the ensuing police chase). Thrown back on their own or their families' limited resources, veterans who have been charged with a crime may end up a) looking through the phone book or b) getting a public defender appointed by the court to represent them. While there's nothing wrong with these approaches, they're also pretty subject to chance. What we'd like to see, over time, is a network develop of attorneys across the country who have a special expertise and concern for representing veterans in healthcare and criminal matters (not many attorneys will do both, but some undoubtedly will.)
To find a qualified attorney, consult your local state or county bar assocation's lawyer referral line, or learn how to use Martindale-Hubbell, the directory of lawyers across the United States. "AV" is the highest rating that lawyers receive in Martindale-Hubbell, conferred by their legal peers; so finding an "AV" rated lawyer to represent you would be a best-case scenario; although the lack of this rating does not imply substandard service or qualifcations. If you choose an attorney on your own (i.e., through the phone book), be sure to also check the lawyer's background with the local bar association to see whether he or she has ever been sanctioned or disbarred in the past (better safe than sorry!). Use this tool, provided by the American Bar Association, to find the state or local bar association in your area.
Periodically we learn of a lawyer who seems to have a special expertise or affinity for representing veterans. When we learn of such a lawyer, we'd like to include their information here, so it will be readily available to more potential clients. Mentioning the name here does not imply an endorsement, but is an attempt to make resources available to interested parties. We have no way of knowing about the quality of legal representation offered.
In disability matters, we've learned about the Law Offices of Robert Franklin Howell, in Monterey, CA, linked here. Howell is both a longtime practicing attorney, and a combat veteran. To learn about his disability law practice, click here. To contact him directly, click here.
In criminal matters, we've learned about attorney Jim Lane, whose Fort Worth, TX firm is linked here. Lane, who has practiced law for approximately 40 years, was a captain in the U.S. Army as well as a military JAG officer. His specialties including personal injury, criminal defense (felonies and misdemeanors), and court martials. To contact him directly, click here.
Just a word of wisdom here, based on common sense: when you do go to consult an attorney, make the most of both of your time by having written down the facts of your case in advance, and, as much as possible, keep your initial contact short and sweet. Be aware that the first point of contact in many lawyers' offices is a receptionist or a legal assistant, who is not empowered to handle your case. Do not overwhelm that person with your needs and desires, nor the attorney, when you are able to speak with him or her. Keep it to the facts, take notes on what's discussed and what the game plan is, and bring someone along with you to your first meeting, if you feel that you are likely to be too emotionally involved in your own case to listen well or take good notes. Learn how to be a good client, and you'll go farther with a good lawyer. Clients do occasionally wear out their attorneys or get fired by them for being too difficult, which is very unfortunate, and will not help your getting closure. Here is a good article about how to be a good client. It's directed to family law, but the tips it suggest apply to other areas as well. Read it and consider what it says (linked here.)
