Greenberg Traurig's Adam Siegler On Legal Aid For Veterans

"Greenberg Traurig LLP partner Adam Siegler last year retired from active military service with the rank of colonel and more than two decades working as a judge advocate in the military legal system. His work with armed forces members and veterans, however, is far from over.

Siegler, who works on complex real estate and corporate litigation in his day job, has seen firsthand how repeated deployment, mental health issues stemming from service, and homelessness can make accessing legal aid a problem for both current and former military members. Too often, an outstanding warrant or unsettled domestic dispute can snowball into larger issues, he said.

As chair of the Armed Forces Committee for the Los Angeles County Bar Association, Siegler helped create the Valor Guide, a comprehensive guide of local legal aid resources and lawyers for veterans confronting such problems.

His work is also taking an increasingly national scope. Last year, he joined the American Bar Association's Legal Assistance for Military Personnel Committee, which fosters growing legal aid initiatives for armed forces members and veterans. He's also working with Greenberg Traurig on an initiative specific to military members and veterans that was launched this year.

While the initiative within the global firm's pro bono program is still being developed, it will include providing assistance to the National Coalition for Homeless Veterans and guiding veterans on appeals to upgrade their discharge status.

"It is a tremendous need across the country," Siegler said.

Here, Siegler talks to Law360 about some of the biggest access to justice issues facing veterans and what he wishes lawyers knew about serving current and former military members..."

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