WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus King is encouraging his Senate colleagues to utilize StatesideLegal.org, a national clearinghouse website founded in Maine that aids military and veteran families seeking legal information. In a letter circulated to his colleagues today, Senator King encouraged them to explore the website and share its many resources with their constituents.

“I am writing today to let you know about a great program created in my home state of Maine, www.statesidelegal.org, to help military and veteran families anywhere in the United States.  I believe it is an invaluable resource for veterans across the country and thought you might want to let your constituents know about it,” Senator King wrote.

StatesideLegal.org launched in November 2010, and with funding support from the Legal Services Corporation, it draws more than 10,000 visitors each week from all 50 states and more than 120 countries around the world.

Last month, Senator King joined Pine Tree Legal Assistance and the Legal Services Corporation to announce a new technology initiative to expand StatesideLegal.org and improve civil legal aid for veterans, particularly underserved female veterans.

The full text of the letter is below and can be read HERE:

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January 13, 2015

Dear Colleague:

I am writing today to let you know about a great program created in my home state of Maine, www.statesidelegal.org, to help military and veteran families anywhere in the United States.  I believe it is an invaluable resource for veterans across the country and thought you might want to let your constituents know about it.

The website launched in November 2010 as the country’s first national clearinghouse website for military and veteran families seeking legal information or legal resources. With funding support from the Legal Services Corporation (LSC), the website was primarily developed by Pine Tree Legal Assistance, a statewide legal aid provider in Maine.   A volunteer group of website advisors, including military and veteran representatives from around the country, provide guidance on website content.  Focused on federal laws and benefits, the site provides:

• More than 600 resources on common legal protections and benefits written at a high school reading level;
• Easy to use interactive forms and letters for common legal problems and needs;
• A “find legal help” search engine providing local addresses and phone numbers for the most common organizations that provide free legal help in local communities;   
• For advocates,  more technical information on legal issues, best practices in providing legal help to veterans or military families, and a free “volunteer match” system to allow local programs to recruit help in their communities.

The website draws more than 10,000 unique visitors each week from all 50 states and more than 120 countries around the world.  It has been cited as an ‘innovative practice” by the Office of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff at the Pentagon and is a listed resource on many federal government websites, including the National Resources Directory.

I began my legal career at Pine Tree Legal Assistance, and I am proud to continue to support this great program. In addition to providing resources for civil legal assistance throughout the United States, LSC runs competitive grant programs for innovative work in technology and pro bono legal aid; grantees in your state can apply for these grants.

Sincerely,

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