Veterans in Columbus had the opportunity to listen and learn from judges and lawyers about solutions to their legal needs in November during a Free Veterans Financial Wellness Program & Legal Clinic organized by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Ohio.
Chief Bankruptcy Judge John E. Hoffman Jr., Bankruptcy Judge Beth A. Buchanan, Bankruptcy Judge Mina Nami Khorrami, and Franklin County Domestic Relations Judge Elizabeth Gill attended the event at the Paul S. Lawrence VFW Post 9857 and spoke about how veterans can overcome challenges presented by the complicated legal system.
The program gave those who attended a chance to obtain free legal assistance from volunteer lawyers on topics that included family law, federal laws impacting veterans, credit card and consumer debt, record sealing and expungement, and driver’s license reinstatement. After the presentation, the veterans had the opportunity to meet one-on-one with attorneys and seek legal assistance.
“Providing this resource was an honor and a way for the Court to make a difference in the lives of men and women who served our country,” Bankruptcy Judge Nami Khorrami said. “This event was tailored to provide the information veterans need to improve their financial well-being. This was the first year of this event with the goal of making this an annual event.”
The legal clinic was powered by the Bankruptcy Court, the Ohio Justice Bus, Legal Aid of Southeast and Central Ohio, and the Federal Bar Association.
“Giving back to those who've served is a top priority for every organization involved with the event,” said Scott Kovach with the Ohio Justice Bus. “It is important to recognize the unique sacrifices veterans have made and the challenges they often face after serving in the military. This was the first iteration of the event, and we look forward to expanding our reach in the future.”
One of the strengths of the legal clinic was that it provided help for specific needs the veterans had, said Rodger Eckelberry, an attorney and post commander of the VFW.
Eckelberry said many of the veterans were impressed and appreciated the number of judges who came out to provide them assistance. He said navigating the legal system can be tough and the event and pro bono services offered helped make a difference in the people’s lives.
“It became very popular to say, ‘thank you for your service’ when the wars were going on, but now that the wars are over people tend to forget quickly,” Eckelberry said, noting that some veteran events have been canceled recently. “It’s when they come home that they need help.”
Dianna Parker, the Director of Pro Bono and Community Engagement at Legal Aid of Southeast and Central Ohio, said educating people on their legal rights and responsibilities can help them navigate complicated financial circumstances.
Along with providing specific services, the clinic also covered ways to be vigilant against financial predatory behavior and the importance of keeping up with changes in the law that may benefit a person.
Parker said the group received positive feedback, and she hopes events like the one in Columbus can be done in other cities in Southern Ohio in the future.
