Military Lawyers — Practice in Virginia.

It is not the unauthorized practice of law for non-Virginia licensed attorneys of the judge advocate general’s corp to give legal advice and assistance to members of the military and their dependents in Virginia. The committee notes that the statutory authorization for military lawyers to provide personal legal assistance to members of the military community contained in 10 U.S.C. §1044 takes precedence over Virginia Unauthorized Practice of Law Rules. [See United States v. Tarble, 13 Wall. 397, 20 L.E. 597, 600-601 (1872)]

Additionally, it is not the aiding of the Unauthorized Practice of Law for the office of the attorney general to conduct seminars on Virginia law to aid military lawyers in giving this permissible legal advice and assistance.

Committee Opinion
June 11, 1987