At Joint Base Lewis-McChord’s legal offices, we provide free confidential legal assistance to service members, their family members and military retirees. Legal advice is available for divorce, child custody issues, debt collection, consumer matters, military administrative matters and certain other personal legal matters.
Offices are located to assist you on both Lewis Main and McChord Field.
TYPES OF APPOINTMENTS
- Scheduled Appointment with an Attorney:
- A 45-minute (or longer, if necessary) appointment with an attorney to discuss your legal issue or concern.
- Guaranteed appointment.
- Walk-In Appointment with an Attorney (Wednesday 0900 – 1200)
- A 20-minute appointment is provided on a first-come, first-served basis.
- Notarial Services (including Power of Attorney)
- Provided during all hours of operation on a first-come, first-served basis.
- For guaranteed service at a specific time, you may schedule an appointment.
HOW TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT
- Visit us during hours of operation to schedule an appointment: Building 2008B, Room B306, at the corner of North 3rd Street and Pendleton Avenue
- Email us for an appointment at lewis_lao@army.mil. Please be sure to provide the following information:
- Your full name
- A copy of your military ID (front and back)
- If you have a civilian attorney
- A fully completed client intake form that explains what help you are seeking and lists your specific questions regarding your situation. Click HERE to download the client intake form.
- Call us at 253-477-1886
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Most commonly, eligible clients meet one of the following criteria:
o You are an active-duty member of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Space Force, or Coast Guard.
o You are a retired member of the above and you are receiving retired pay.
o You are a Reserve/National Guard component member and are either (a) on active orders, or (b) have received mobilization orders and meet certain other criteria.
o You receive transitional compensation.
o You are a dependent beneficiary to a person in one of these categories.
o You are a surviving dependent on one of these categories.
Certain DoD and DA civilian employees may be eligible for services under certain circumstances.
If you believe you are entitled to services or wish to find out if you are entitled to services, please reach out to one of our offices and we will assess whether we are able to assist you.
Yes. Services are not limited by current or former branch of service. Anyone eligible for Legal Assistance (discussed above) can receive services at our offices.
No. If you require Legal Assistance, you may contact the office that is most convenient for you. If the office you contact is unable to assist you, you will be referred to the other office, or another military Legal Assistance office where you are eligible to receive services.
Legal Assistance services are significantly impacted in the event of lapse in government appropriations (i.e. a “government shut down”).
The Lewis Main Legal Assistance Office will operate at reduced capacity and may temporarily suspend certain types of services until funding is approved. Priority for services is provided to active duty and deploying servicemembers with readiness issues. Hours of operation will remain the same.
The McChord Field Legal Assistance Office will only be able to provide limited notarial services (notary, powers of attorney).
No. Absent unusual or special circumstances and specific authorization, Legal Assistance attorneys will not be able to assist you through in-court representation.
US Army Trial Defense Services assists Servicemembers with all UCMJ related matters and the following military administrative matters:
o Officer elimination actions.
o Enlisted administrative separations.
o Officer resignations in lieu of administrative elimination.
o Reductions in grade.
o Recruiter misconduct.
Legal Assistance assists Servicemembers with a broad scope of personal and civil matters as well as military administrative matters. If you would like to know whether Legal Assistance is able to help with your issue, please contact one of the Legal Assistance offices.
Yes. The Lewis Legal Assistance Office provides powers of attorney and notarial services during all hours of operation on a walk-in basis. Servicemembers assigned to JBLM may also seek notarial assistance and powers of attorney through their brigade legal office.
Yes. We have attorneys in both the Lewis and McChord offices that can provide special education-related assistance. Please contact one of the offices to receive help.
If you require assistance that is outside the scope of our program, we will assist with finding an attorney who can assist you.
Click HERE for federal Servicemember Civil Relief Act (SCRA) information.