The State Bar of Michigan is spearheading an effort to provide free legal help and resources to reservists called to active duty in the wake of the September 11 terrorist attacks.

The Bar's Probate and Estate Planning Section will mobilize attorneys to work directly with the Michigan National Guard to prepare reservists for deployment in Operation Enduring Freedom.

On Wednesday, October 24, a training session will be held for volunteer attorneys in conjunction with the Office of the State Judge Advocate Generals from the Michigan National Guard. The session will familiarize civilian attorneys with the Soldiers and Sailor's Civil Relief Act and the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act. Directly after the training program, depending on the circumstances, there may be opportunities for attorneys to offer free legal services, such as wills, on site to reservists.

This event will take place at the State Bar building, 306 Townsend Street, Lansing from 5 to 7 p.m. and simultaneously in Grand Rapids, in collaboration with the Grand Rapids Bar Association's Operation Enduring Freedom Pro Bono Program at the Grand Rapids office of Western Michigan Legal Services at 89 Ionia N. W. Suite 400.

"Lawyers in Michigan are once again providing legal services for free to those who have been called up as reservists at this time of national crisis. We are proud of the efforts that lawyers made at the time of the Persian Gulf War, and our members will gladly provide support again," said State Bar President, Bruce W. Neckers.

The State Bar will also act as a clearinghouse for those who want to volunteer by developing a geography based "list" as a resource. This list will be a reference resource for use by the National Guard to assist reservists seeking pro bono help in their own communities. Attorneys whose names are placed on the list will be called upon directly by the reservists for free legal services pertaining to their imminent deployment.

Attorneys who wish to participate should contact the Bar's Access to Justice Director of Special Projects, Kelly Quardokus at 517-346-6307 or at 1 (800) 968 1442.