USS Iowa hosted lawyers and veterans in a shared mission

In anticipation of Veterans Day, the deck of the historic battleship USS Iowa in San Pedro, came alive with conversation, presentations and a shared commitment to the veteran community. Hosted by the Armed Forces Committee of the Los Angeles County Bar Association (LACBA), the event, Eyes On: Veterans Legal Services Project, gathered attorneys, judges and community leaders in their legal advocacy for the veterans and active-duty servicemembers of greater Los Angeles in July. Set against the backdrop of one of the Navy's most famous ships, which once hosted President Franklin D. Roosevelt, the event highlighted the Committee's mission and the enduring relationship between the legal profession and those who have worn the uniform.

The Armed Forces Committee is led by Col. (Ret.) Adam Siegler, a litigator at Greenberg Traurig, LLP, and serves as a bridge between the greater Los Angeles legal community and its veteran and military populations. Its mission is to mobilize attorneys throughout Los Angeles to counsel and represent veterans and active-duty service members in pressing legal needs. From navigating VA benefits to addressing housing insecurity, employment disputes or family law matters, the Armed Forces Committee connects advocates with those in need of legal services. Pro bono work is a key mission of the Committee, and volunteer lawyers find that this work is not only a professional obligation but also deeply rewarding.

The Honorable Dean Pregerson (current JAMS mediator and former United States District Court judge for the Central District of California), gave the opening remarks and inspired the group with his own background and first-hand experience assisting the Veteran community. Judge Pregerson's efforts build on the inspirational work of his father, the late Judge Harry Pregerson, a Marine injured during the Battle of Okinawa, who served the veteran community for decades and helped create many of the programs that continue to help veterans today. Judge Kevin Rosenberg of the Los Angeles Superior Court, a veteran of the Navy JAG Corps, highlighted the current and growing needs within the Los Angeles Superior Court system for attorneys to represent active-duty military in civil matters within the County.

Under the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA), active-duty personnel are entitled to notice and representation when they are parties to a civil lawsuit. This ensures that, for example, someone serving the nation on active deployment does not have a default judgment entered against them without their knowledge. The SCRA is a commitment to servicemembers shared by the Armed Forces Committee and those in attendance.

Distinguished guests included Carla Ford, a former assistant U.S. attorney, who now serves as general counsel at U.S. VETS, the largest nonprofit in America dedicated to combating the veteran homeless crisis. Ford highlighted the state of the crisis in Los Angeles as well as nationwide and advocated for increased involvement among the Los Angeles legal community. Katherine Robinson, supervising attorney for veteran's advocacy at the Counsel for Justice (CFJ), shared the achievements of the CFJ and made a presentation on topics covered by the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act.

Col. Siegler then gave closing remarks and touched upon the global climate and the anticipated increase in legal needs among the Los Angeles veterans and active-duty military communities. He shared the impact of his own experiences within the Army, including the service-related challenges he has faced personally as a veteran. He highlighted the ongoing work to provide both housing and legal services to veterans at the West Los Angeles Veterans Administration complex, and the importance of connecting various advocates in their united cause.

Docked permanently in the Port of Los Angeles, the USS Iowa is nicknamed the "Battleship of Presidents" for having hosted Franklin D. Roosevelt and other heads of state. Today, the ship is primarily a floating museum and event space, hosting over 300,000 visitors and event guests each year. With sweeping views of the harbor, steel decks and towering guns, the USS Iowa serves as a powerful reminder of American resilience and the sacrifice of our veterans.

Revitalized since the pandemic, the LACBA Armed Forces Committee has grown substantially in recent years. In 2025, committee representatives linked legal advocates to advise and represent veterans affected by the Los Angeles wildfires, helped the Los Angeles Superior Court update its protocols to ensure appointments under the SCRA, and hosted a summertime celebration and veterans awareness event aboard the USS Iowa. Plans are under way for additional community events both this year and next. If you are interested in learning more or joining the LACBA Armed Forces Committee, please contact committee member Michael Winston at winstonm@gtlaw.com.