Civil Legal Assistance for Soldiers and Sailors

Legal actions in support of our troops

The Columbus Bar Association understands the effects of military mobilizations. The sudden interruption often has a tremendous impact on the families of military personnel, who must manage the household without a parents and/or spouse. In many cases, activation can mean a substantial decrease in income, interruption in child care, and problems with an employer.

There are protections in place to minimize these setbacks, including the Soldiers & Sailors Civil Relief Act (SSCRA) and Uniformed Services Employment & Re-employment Rights Act (USERRA). Our lawyers are knowledgeable about these laws, and they stand ready to protect the rights of our soldiers and their families.

While the military legal assistance system is currently able to effectively handle the legal affairs of military reservists called to active duty, in many cases, it is not equipped to handle the volume brought about by large-scale mobilizations. The Columbus Bar Association is prepared to provide immediate assistance when current military resources cannot satisfy the demand in Central Ohio.

What kinds of services can the Columbus Bar Association provide?

The Columbus Bar has a network of attorneys, educated in the special protections afforded under military law, who can provide free legal assistance in a variety of areas, including:

• Family Law (divorce, dissolution, child support, etc.)
• Debtor-Creditor (including mortgages, leases, and credit cards)
• Real Estate
• Bankruptcy
• Landlord-Tenant Disputes
• Probate and Estate Planning
• Employment Rights
• Civil Litigation

Who can receive free legal assistance?

U.S. military personnel and their dependents facing legal issues as a direct result of deployment, either before or after their return.

For more information

For more information about the legal services available to soldiers and sailors through C.L.A.S.S., please contact the Columbus Bar Association at:

175 S. Third St., Suite 1100
Columbus, OH 43215
Phone: 614/221.4112
Fax: 614/221.4850

Legal Resources for Military Families from the American Bar Association

Visit the American Bar Association's Home Front website for additional legal resources for military families, including a directory of programs searchable by state.