Even though it was launched a year ago, I only recently learned about Stateside Legal, the first website in the U.S. to focus exclusively on the unique legal issues faced by military members, veterans and their families. The site was created by two legal services organizations, Pine Tree Legal Assistance of Maine and the Arkansas Legal Services Partnership, with initial funding provided by the Legal Services Corporation.

The site is designed to enable users to better understand their legal issues and to help them find free legal help when they need it. It features a “Self Help” section where users can browse a library of legal resources related to common types of legal problems. Some topics include videos, step-by-step self-help guides and interactive legal forms and letters.

A “Get Help” section lists free legal help and advocacy services. These include civil legal aid offices, pro bono attorneys, military legal assistance offices, Veterans Affairs offices and veterans’ services organizations.

The site includes a “smart search” function by which a user can enter basic information about themselves (state, branch of service, etc.) and more quickly zero in on applicable information and resources.

Although LSC provided start-up funding for the site, donations are needed to keep it running and to expand its content. If you like what you see, consider sending in a donation.

Photo of Bob Ambrogi Bob Ambrogi

Bob is a lawyer, veteran legal journalist, and award-winning blogger and podcaster. In 2011, he was named to the inaugural Fastcase 50, honoring “the law’s smartest, most courageous innovators, techies, visionaries and leaders.” Earlier in his career, he was editor-in-chief of several legal publications, including The National Law Journal, and editorial director of ALM’s Litigation Services Division.