Legal Support for Veterans
Challenge
Legal services are a critical need as veterans build productive and self-sufficient post-military lives for themselves and their families. But despite growing recognition of the transformative effect of legal services on veterans' lives, there has been a deatih of services available to them.
Actions
PSEG approached Volunteer Lawyers for Justice's (VLJ), a statewide pro bono program in New Jersey, about how the company might help this underserved group. Almost immediately, PSEG and VLJ began working to create a clinic dedicated to providing free legal services to New Jersey's veteran/military population.
The Military PersonnelN eterans Legal Assistance Program (MLAP) was formed to allow volunteer attorneys provide free advice or limited-scope representation to New Jersey's veteran population. MLAP assists New Jersey's military and veteran population with legal issues that serve as baniers to successful return to civilian life. PSEG has given additional resources beyond the pro bono services as well. The company provides free office space to host clinics and the PSEG Foundation provides financial support.
Outcomes
For the last four years, the clinic has been meeting in PSEG space, providing free legal services to more than 100 Newark-based veterans.
Contact
Barb Short
Quote
PSEG has always been a strong supporter of our employees when they are away on active duty. It was a natural extension of this support and of our diversity and inclusion commitments for PSEG to partner with Volunteer Lawyers for Justice to provide pro-bono legal assistance through the Military Personnel\Veterans Legal Assistance Program to help any veteran with their unique legal needs.