Veterans Legal Counsel

Legal Counsel: The Veterans Legal Counsel position provides no-cost legal advice, consultation, and representation to veterans on an “as needed” basis. Not all matters can or should be handled by Veterans Legal Counsel and the following policies are implemented in an attempt to provide the most help to the most veterans possible. All policies are subordinate to the Ohio Rules of Professional Conduct and Ohio Revised Code §5901 et seq.

Prohibited Representation: Legal assistance and representation provided by the Veterans Legal Counsel must be narrowly tailored so as to avoid conflicts with other county agencies and entities. This policy precludes representation in the following matters:

• Criminal Defense;
• Domestic Violence Protection Order Defense;
• Civil Litigation which is adverse to the County or one of its agencies;
• Juvenile Court matters involving abuse, neglect, and dependency, or criminal adjudication of a dependent minor

Discretionary Matters: In order to provide diligent and thorough legal representation, Veterans Legal Counsel should refrain from representation in matters which are complex or highly specialized. Veterans Legal Counsel should avoid engaging in representation in the following practice areas:

• Domestic Relations Matters (divorce, dissolution, post-decree, and custody issues);
• Juvenile Court Matters (custody);
• Any matter which would typically be assumed by a private attorney under a contingent fee agreement or any matter which is reasonably likely to be a “fee-generating” case. (i.e. estate administration, personal injury, or litigation which contains a “fee shifting” provision).

Case Priority: Based on the purposes and principles set forth by Revised Code §5901 et seq. and the mission statement of the Veteran Services Commission, the following areas should be prioritized by Veterans Legal Counsel:

• Housing Defense (foreclosure or eviction defense);
• Debt Defense (debt disputes and consumer protection matters);
• Estate Planning (wills, power of attorneys, advanced directives, payment/transfer on death certificates, etc.) with the exception of the drafting or administration of trusts;
• Administrative Law matters related to housing, food, or other public assistance or benefit.

Legal Services may be provided to a Veteran’s dependent (spouse, widow, or child) at the attorney’s discretion.