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The Austin Bar Foundation is honored to receive a $25,000 grant from the Texas Bar Foundation in support of its Veterans Legal Assistance Program (VLAP), a vital initiative that provides pro bono legal services to low-income veterans and their families across Central Texas.
This grant will fund the development of a custom case management database that aims to significantly enhance the program’s infrastructure and volunteer engagement.
“We’re proud to be recognized by the Texas Bar Foundation for our dedication to veterans, “ said Doug Lawrence, managing attorney of VLAP. “This grant allows us to take a major step forward in how we serve our clients and support our volunteers. It’s an opportunity to improve efficiency, expand access, and strengthen our long-term impact.”
The case management system will be developed in partnership with A2J Tech, and represents a groundbreaking solution specifically designed to address the unique challenges faced by VLAP and similar nonprofit legal service providers. Unlike current fragmented systems that require multiple logins and platforms, the new database will integrate seamlessly with the volunteer pro bono portal. This unified platform will reduce administrative burden and significantly enhance the experience for volunteer attorneys by simplifying onboarding, improving access to case details, and making it easier to find opportunities that match their skills and availability.
In addition to its immediate benefits, the technologies will be designed with sustainability and adaptability in mind. Its scalable development model not only supports VLAP’s current operations but also lays the groundwork for future growth as the Austin Bar’s Crisis Assistance Program (CAP) gets off the ground. As the needs of veterans and volunteer attorneys evolve, the system will evolve with them—positioning VLAP and CAP as statewide leaders in innovative, pro bono legal service delivery.
Since January 1, 2022, VLAP has organized 27 legal clinics in communities such as Austin, Lockhart, Pflugerville, and Fredericksburg, and co-hosted a live webinar addressing topics like DD-214 access, discharge upgrades, and nondisclosure or expunction of civilian criminal records. These services have had a meaningful impact on veterans navigating the legal system, many of whom would otherwise go without representation.
The Veterans Legal Assistance Program team and its dedicated volunteers are thrilled to have earned the support of the Texas Bar Foundation and are eager to continue expanding their reach in the months ahead.
CAP was established in 2025 under Austin Bar President Mary-Ellen King with support from the State Bar of Texas and the Travis County Courts. Already the program has helped a family law attorney who needed to step away from his practice in order to receive treatment for and recover from brain cancer. CAP is currently in the process of distributing this attorney’s more than 45 family law cases to volunteer attorneys.
We currently have five cases in the VLAP system that are available for attorney volunteers to take. There is one case in each of the following categories: divorce; custody; bankruptcy; insurance; and one case dealing with the Texas Department of Transportation.
Since its inception in 1965, the Texas Bar Foundation has awarded more than $29 million in grants to law-related programs. Supported by members of the State Bar of Texas, the Texas Bar Foundation is the nation’s largest charitably-funded bar foundation.
Anyone wishing to learn more about VLAP or CAP or sign up as a volunteer is welcome to contact program staff at 512-472-0279, ext. 110 or by email to doug@austinbar.org or isabel@austinbar.org for more details.