Legal Assistance to Military Personnel Section
The WSBA Legal Assistance to Military Personnel (LAMP) Section addresses matters related to the rendition of appropriate and efficient legal service to members of the armed forces of the United States. Initially formed as a standing committee of the Washington State Bar Association in 1996, the LAMP Section was formed in October 2004.
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The Legal Assistance to Military Personnel Section offers many resources and benefits for members. On this page you will find information about the section, their upcoming events and offerings, as well as information about the section's executive committee.
Upcoming Programs
NEW Webinar! Representing Veterans in Discharge Upgrades & Other Reviews
Developed in partnership wtih the WSBA Legal Assistance to Military Personnel Section
An estimated hundreds of thousands of veterans have bad paper discharges. Many were unfairly discharged consequent to mental health conditions, military sexual trauma, racism, or anti-LGBTQ bias. Though these veterans were often most in need of support, their discharge status renders them ineligible for critical VA healthcare and benefits. This CLE will cover two avenues of relief—the DOD discharge upgrade and VA character of discharge processes—to prepare attorneys to assist veterans in accessing the healthcare and benefits to which they are entitled.
When: Nov. 9, 2026
Time: 11 a.m.–1 p.m. PDT
Credits: 2.00 Law & Legal Procedure
Past Programs
LAMP in the News!
See the Section Spotlight feature in the November 2020 issue of Washington State Bar News:
LAMP at the Forefront of Helping Our Uniformed Folks in Washington State
Legislation
Attorneys Assisting Citizen-Soldiers and Families (AACF)
RCW's Relating Military Affairs and Veteran Affairs
SHB 1170 (parenting plans based on military service)
Resources
The following resources include information describing issues affecting military personnel. Lawyers, businesses, and members of the public will find help regarding reserve and active military personnel in all branches of service.
WSBA recommends that military personnel visit their base JAG office for specific information regarding particular questions.
Department of Defense Resources Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs |
Executive Committee
Chair: Stephen Carpenter Jr. (2024-2026) Vice Chair: Sean Mangan (2024-2026) Immediate Past Chair: Paul Apple (2024-2026) Secretary-Treasurer: Eric McDonald (2024-2026) Historian: Daniel Russ (2024-2026) New Member Liaison*: TBD *Nonvoting member | Legislative Committee Chair: Northwest Justice Project Liaison*: TBD At-Large Members:* Law Student Liaison*: Meghan White Board of Governors Liaison*: Christopher Bhang (2025-2026) |
Please contact subcommittee members for details on their upcoming meeting dates and locations.
To join the section list serve and for more general section questions, please send your email address and Bar number to sections@wsba.org. For more information and to get involved with the section, please contact the section chair.
