Each bimonthly issue of New Jersey Lawyer, the magazine of the New Jersey State Bar Association, focuses on a particular area of substantive law. Click here to access the online edition (login required). New Jersey Lawyer welcomes article submissions from NJSBA members. For more information, visit our editorial calendar.
Just as those who decide to enter the military to serve their country are unique, their legal issues often are, too. The February issue of New Jersey Lawyer focuses on the military and veterans and different legal issues that can arise from events that occurred during and after their service.
Brian R. Lehrer and retired Judge Edward M. Neafsey are the special editors for this edition of New Jersey Lawyer, titled “Military Law & Veterans Affairs.” Lehrer is chair of the New Jersey Lawyer editorial board and an attorney with Schenck, Price, Smith & King. Neafsey is chair of the NJSBA Military Law and Veterans' Affairs Section and past chair of the NJSBA Criminal Law Section. He served as a U.S. Army Judge Advocate Captain during peacetime.
The magazine begins with a piece by attorney Melissa Strickland, who writes about an issue that unfortunately is not unique to the military – sexual assault. There are several articles on various aspects of disability claims, beginning with Nancy Y. Morgan's discussion on the need for advocates to help navigate post-service disability claims for veterans. Eric A. Gang writes about challenges veterans often face in securing disability compensation caused by the toxic water discovered at Camp Lejeune and Nebojsa Zlatanovic discusses the disability claims caused by the use of mefloquine to treat malaria.
The stress of war and battle is unique to soldiers. Unfortunately, that stress may lead to post-service criminal involvement. Robert A. Ebberup discusses issues for those representing veterans with mental health disorders who are involved in civilian criminal proceedings. David Culley offers an article advocating for a veterans’ treatment court within the New Jersey Superior Court system, a program that has been adopted in a majority of other states. In a similar vein, Robert Hille, Thomas Rougheen and Neafsey co-author an article where they advocate for expansion of the veterans’ diversion program as an alternative to the criminal justice system.
Service members also face issues involving families and taxes. Retired Lt. Col. Sally Stenton discusses New Jersey’s property tax exemption for 100% disabled veterans. Mike Fleres discusses the issues service members face in family law disputes. Finally, Christopher J. D’Alessandro concludes with an article discussing his personal experiences intersecting with military and civilian life.