By Roberta M. Gubbins
Legal News
The large auditorium of the Joint Services Headquarters, Michigan National Guard in Lansing, was filled with soldiers in camouflage gathered to recognize and honor those who have done outstanding work in the military. Heather Spielmaker, Director, Thomas M. Cooley Center for Ethics, Service, and Professionalism, for the Service to Soldiers program was one of those honored at the TAG (The Adjutant General) Townhall Meeting on June 29th by Major General Thomas G. Cutler, Adjutant General.
Recognizing a need and under Spielmaker's direction, Cooley founded Service to Soldiers: Legal Assistance Referral Program in 2007. Service to Soldiers provides free legal advice to Michigan military personnel deploying to, serving in, or returning from combat areas. Lawyers who donate their time, Cooley professors, and Cooley students staff the program.
"The Service to Soldiers program has enabled hundreds of service members to receive free legal assistance from attorneys who volunteered to participate in the program," said Major John J. Wojcik, Deputy Judge Advocate, in recommending Spielmaker for the State of Michigan Legion of Merit award. "The program allows service members to concentrate on their deployments knowing that they have a skilled attorney back home who is helping them with their deployment issues."
The program has supported more than 20 pre-deployment events for various branches of service over the past three years.
Service to Soldiers is also actively engaged in the Yellow Ribbon Reintegration program, informing returning service members of their legal rights and entitlements available to them upon their return from combat operations. Spielmaker coordinated with Cooley's law professors to provide presentations at the Yellow Ribbon events.
The "Military personnel, attention to orders," command brought everyone to their feet as Major General Cutler presented Spielmaker with the award.
"The Adjutant General takes great pleasure in presenting the State of Michigan Legion of Merit to Heather Spielmaker for meritorious achievement from April 2, 2007 to March 25, 2010," said Major General Cutler. She "evidenced outstanding leadership and service to the community by creating the Service to Soldiers program. Her actions reflect great credit upon herself, Thomas M. Cooley Law School, and the United States of America."
''This program has given our volunteer attorneys, students, and myself the opportunity to express our deep gratitude for our troops while using our special talents and skills," said Spielmaker. "I suspect that we might be more thankful for the program than the clients. I can't think of a more fulfilling arrangement.''
Matthew and Amanda Paletz, recent lawyer volunteers, agree with Spielmaker. They wrote:
"We are appreciative for the opportunity to have provided pro bono legal assistance to the men and women of Michigan National Guard being deployed overseas. The experience was truly rewarding and also humbling. It is the least we can do to help bring some peace of mind to these brave individuals. Their service to our country is admirable and our service to them is a privilege"
For more information and to volunteer, please contact Heather Spielmaker, (517) 371-5140, ext. 4112 or e-mail her at spielmah@ cooley.edu.
Published: Thu, Jul 8, 2010
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