MCRDSD Legal Assistance Office

ABOUT US

Mission: To foster the operational readiness of the armed forces through the provision of legal assistance services to eligible clients and customers in the Western Region through private attorney consultations regarding personal civil legal affairs and presentation of preventative law, pre-deployment, and estate planning briefs to units aboard Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego.

Eligibility: Services are provided to active duty military (all branches), military dependents, military retirees, DoD civilian employees (limited services).

Scope of Services:
Family Law (divorce, separation, child custody, etc.)
Consumer, credit, and debt issues
Service Members’ Civil Relief Act
Estate Planning/Wills
Limited Immigration Assistance

Our office is prohibited from providing advice on:
Personal business matters
Criminal matters (traffic violations, DUI)
Claims against the government
Military justice or official military matters (courts-martial, NJPs, administrative separations)
Our office is also prohibited from providing advice over the phone or via email, to opposing parties (see section 3), and to third parties.

D. Location: Building 12, MCRD San Diego. Please enter via the “Tax Center” or “Legal Assistance” hatch facing the parade deck. Please do not enter via the SJA entrance.

F. Contact: 858-307-1862 / miramarlegalassist@usmc.mil

G. Hours:
Appointments must be made by emailing our office email box
Legal Assistance Operational Hours are from 0800 – 1100 on Wednesdays.
Please allow at least 24 hours to receive an appointment.

Family Law/Estate Planning Briefs
Appointments must be made by emailing our office email box at miramarlegalassist@usmc.mil.

New Client
HOW TO BECOME A NEW CLIENT OF A LEGAL ASSISTANCE ATTORNEY ON MCRD SAN DIEGO

A. You must be eligible (see section 1B).

B. You must fall within our scope of services (see section 1C).

C. New Client Walk-Ins:

i.    If you meet the eligibility requirements (see section 1B) and fall within our scope of services (see section 1C), come to our New Client Walk-In Hours.

ii.    New Client Walk-In Hours are reserved for new clients only.

iii.   Clients are taken on a first come, first serve basis.
Opposing Parties
OPPOSING PARTIES

Our office is unable to represent opposing parties in any matter. During walk-in hours we will conduct a conflict check to determine if we can represent you. If there is a conflict, we will refer you to another legal office.
CURRENT CLIENTS
CURRENT CLIENTS

A. Current clients are those who have an open or active case with an assigned attorney at the Legal Assistance Office.

i. Current clients must contact the office to schedule a follow up appointment.

ii. Current clients will not be able to see an attorney during New Client Walk-in hours.
FORMER CLIENTS
FORMER CLIENTS

A. Former clients are those who have an inactive case (over 60 days) or received a letter of case closure from an assigned attorney at the Legal Assistance Office.

i. Former clients must contact the office in order to have their case reopened.

ii. Former clients will not be able to see an attorney during New Client Walk-in hours.
CONFIDENTIALITY
CONFIDENTIALITY

The Legal Assistance Attorneys form attorney-client relationships (ACRs), and all communications are fully covered by attorney-client privilege (including front office staff, clerks, and paralegals) and will not be disclosed, except as a result of express or implied consent from the clients to effectively represent their interest or as otherwise allowed under the rules of professional conduct. See JAGINST 5803.1D. Commands cannot compel the Legal Assistance Office to disclose privileged information, and the Legal Assistance Office will not disclose the presence or relationship of any client except per client consent.
Debt Relief
Debt Relief

For Service Member and Dependents with debt concerns, please contact your lender to negotiate delayed payments, waiver of penalties, etc. More information can be found at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) website at www.consumerfinance.gov. Additional assistance is also available through the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society.
Legal Concerns with COVID
LEGAL CONCERNS AND RECOMMENDATIONS ARISING DURING COVID-19

SCRA Termination of Leases: Service Members should refrain from cancelling leases unless necessary during this time of uncertainty. If you receive orders and then terminate your lease under the SCRA, your landlord is not required to extend your lease if you receive updated orders with a different departure date. The SCRA also has no provisions protecting a Service Member who has orders, signs a new lease, but then requests a termination due to a change in orders. Please consult with your landlord to discuss options to best support you during this time.
VOLUNTEER PARALEGAL OR ATTORNEY
HOW TO BECOME A VOLUNTEER PARALEGAL OR VOLUNTEER ATTORNEY AT THE LEGAL ASSISTANCE OFFICE ON MCRDSD
A. For attorneys, you must be licensed to practice law in any U.S. State or Territory and provide proof of good standing with your licensing authority.
B. For paralegals, you must provide documentary evidence of training and paralegal certification.
C. Please visit our office for further information on what volunteering and the approval process entails.