Sponsored by:

Assemblywoman CELESTE M. RILEY

District 3 (Cumberland, Gloucester and Salem)

Assemblyman BOB ANDRZEJCZAK

District 1 (Atlantic, Cape May and Cumberland)

Assemblyman RAJ MUKHERJI

District 33 (Hudson)

Co-Sponsored by:

Assemblywoman Pinkin

SYNOPSIS

Memorializes New Jersey Supreme Court to include certain work by attorneys assisting veterans as pro bono.

CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT

As introduced.

A Concurrent Resolution concerning pro bono work by attorneys assisting with Veterans Administration claims.

Whereas, Veterans of the United States military have served with honor and dignity, putting their lives on the line for this country; and

Whereas, Filing a claim with the Department of Veterans Affairs can be a confusing, lengthy and frustrating process; and

Whereas, Veteran service organizations and accredited independent preparers are available to assist veterans in filing claims; and

Whereas, According to news reports, a backlog of more than half a million veterans disability claims exists; and

Whereas, The denial of a claim can involve a number of decisions which could benefit from legal counsel including whether to file an appeal; and

Whereas, Attorneys serving in a pro bono capacity can facilitate veterans seeking benefits from the Veterans Administration to which they are entitled, and aid in reducing the backlog through professional case management; and

Whereas, The New Jersey State Bar Association Military Legal Assistance Program offers volunteer assistance to military veterans in a wide range of issues, including a veterans assistance program; and

Whereas, The New Jersey Supreme Court requires attorneys to do pro bono work, with certain exemptions; and

Whereas, The courts pro bono work categories should include assisting veterans seeking benefits from the Veterans Administration, and, where attorneys voluntarily undertake such assistance, it should be credited as an exemption from the mandatory assignment of pro bono cases; now, therefore,

Be It Resolved by the General Assembly of the State of New Jersey (the Senate concurring):

1. The New Jersey Supreme Court is respectfully requested to create a pro bono exemption category for attorneys who volunteer to assist veterans with Veterans Administration cases.

2. Duly authenticated copies of this resolution, signed by the Speaker of the General Assembly and the President of the Senate and attested by the Clerk of the General Assembly and the Secretary of the Senate, shall be transmitted to the Chief Justice of the New Jersey Supreme Court.

STATEMENT

This concurrent resolution memorializes the New Jersey Supreme Court to allow attorneys assisting veterans seeking benefits from the Veterans Administration to be credited for pro bono work, and an exemption from the mandatory assignment of pro bono cases.