Thousands of servicemen and servicewomen will come home from Afghanistan and Iraq over the next two years. Among them will be men and women from 103 of the 105 counties in Kansas.

Coming home can mean facing difficult changes, re-employment and financial challenges, stressful family conditions and in many cases, legal issues that developed while our fellow Kansans were deployed.

The Kansas Bar Association and Kansas Legal Services are joining with Army OneSource in a campaign to recruit Kansas attorneys to help Kansans currently serving, Kansas veterans, and their families address the legal issues they may face.

“From its inception, the KBA has always worked to improve access to our system of justice in Kansas by enlisting the expertise and dedication of our members,” said Jordan Yochim, KBA executive director. “We have had an excellent partner in this effort in the KLS and now, with Army OneSource, an excellent opportunity to assist this unique and deserving group of fellow Kansans.”

The campaign, which begins Tuesday, October 2, will continue until Veterans Day. Both the KBA and KLS are asking members to consider presenting a legal clinic or workshop at military events, or to provide pro bono or reduced-rate legal advice or representation to Kansas service members and veterans.

“Post-9/11 deployed service members who need access to this new resource will be matched to volunteers through Kansas Legal Services once they become available,” said Marilyn Harp, KLS executive director.