Legal Assistance Attorneys Receive LAMP Distinguished Service Awards

March 10th, 2015

The American Bar Association Standing Committee on Legal Assistance for Military Personnel (LAMP) presented Cmdr. Andrew House and Dwain Alexander II, with 2013 LAMP Distinguished Service Awards. The LAMP Award highlights exceptional support of the military legal assistance effort.  U.S. Army retired Maj. Gen. Butch Tate, Chairman of the LAMP Committee, presided over the award ceremony.

150213-N-#####-004House, Deputy Assistant Judge Advocate General for Legal Assistance, Deputy Chief of Staff, Victims Legal Counsel, Office of the Judge Advocate General (Code 16), received a special recognition award for his services as the Code 16 Division Director. House's innovative leadership inspired military and civilian attorneys and staff providing superior legal assistance and Disability Evaluation System services to over 85,000 clients. House is a pioneer in providing military legal support to crime victims. He implemented critical policies and training to ensure meaningful legal aid for Navy sexual assault victims. He spearheaded the inauguration of the Navy's Victim Legal Counsel organization, and he also led the development and delivery of groundbreaking training on legal issues unique to military same-sex couples, preparing over 1,000 members of the JAG Corps community to serve these new legal assistance beneficiaries.  House's flawless supervision of the Department of the Navy Disability Evaluation System improved delivery of legal advice and representation to over 5000 wounded warriors navigating medical board processing at eight military hospitals throughout the United States.  House evaluated and managed a sweeping shift in the delivery of Navy's worldwide volunteer tax-filing (VITA/ELF) support from the prior "fullservice" model to an innovative "self-service" program focusing on increased Sailor financial education and responsibility while enabling a 40 percent decrease in VITA program operating costs. House, Deputy Assistant Judge Advocate General for Legal Assistance, Deputy Chief of Staff, Victims Legal Counsel, Office of the Judge Advocate General (Code 16), received a special recognition award for his services as the Code 16 Division Director. House's innovative leadership inspired military and civilian attorneys and staff providing superior legal assistance and Disability Evaluation System services to over 85,000 clients. House is a pioneer in providing military legal support to crime victims. He implemented critical policies and training to ensure meaningful legal aid for Navy sexual assault victims. He spearheaded the inauguration of the Navy's Victim Legal Counsel organization, and he also led the development and delivery of groundbreaking training on legal issues unique to military same-sex couples, preparing over 1,000 members of the JAG Corps community to serve these new legal assistance beneficiaries.  House's flawless supervision of the Department of the Navy Disability Evaluation System improved delivery of legal advice and representation to over 5000 wounded warriors navigating medical board processing at eight military hospitals throughout the United States.  House evaluated and managed a sweeping shift in the delivery of Navy's worldwide volunteer tax-filing (VITA/ELF) support from the prior "fullservice" model to an innovative "self-service" program focusing on increased Sailor financial education and responsibility while enabling a 40 percent decrease in VITA program operating costs. 150213-N-#####-005Alexander,  Senior Legal Assistance Attorney, Region Legal Service Office Mid-Atlantic, is responsible for program development and remains vigilant on local, state, and federal legislation impacting legal assistance as well as helping to shape future legislation. He spearheaded the creation of non-profit organizations and educational and training materials on consumer law transactions to protect the rights of service members. He also fosters and maintains invaluable interservice and civilian partnership programs. In 2013,  Alexander provided legal assistance training to numerous legal professionals and judicial and advocacy groups throughout the United States. Additionally, he was sought out to consult with the Office of the Attorney General in Virginia, as well as several federal agencies on military legal assistance issues. He was a by-name request to testify before the United States Senate Commerce Committee on consumer law matters affecting the military. Alexander has made a tremendous impact in mentoring, training, and professionally developing the military and civilian staff at the U.S. Navy's largest Region Legal Service Office. You can read about the other winners at Alexander,  Senior Legal Assistance Attorney, Region Legal Service Office Mid-Atlantic, is responsible for program development and remains vigilant on local, state, and federal legislation impacting legal assistance as well as helping to shape future legislation. He spearheaded the creation of non-profit organizations and educational and training materials on consumer law transactions to protect the rights of service members. He also fosters and maintains invaluable interservice and civilian partnership programs. In 2013,  Alexander provided legal assistance training to numerous legal professionals and judicial and advocacy groups throughout the United States. Additionally, he was sought out to consult with the Office of the Attorney General in Virginia, as well as several federal agencies on military legal assistance issues. He was a by-name request to testify before the United States Senate Commerce Committee on consumer law matters affecting the military. Alexander has made a tremendous impact in mentoring, training, and professionally developing the military and civilian staff at the U.S. Navy's largest Region Legal Service Office. You can read about the other winners at ABA LAMP Distinguished Service Award Winners. .