WHITE SANDS MISSILE RANGE, N.M. (July 15, 2022) – Teamwork, dedication, and years of knowledge culminated in Army-wide recognition of the White Sands Missile Range Legal Assistance Office.
The team who runs the U.S. Army Garrison, White Sands Missile Range Staff Judge Advocate Office received the 2021 Chief of Staff Award for Excellence in Legal Assistance. The winner’s announcement came directly from the U.S. Army Staff Judge Advocate General’s Corps in May. The WSMR team was the only new winner out of all the Active Army, Small Offices category.
The award-winning legal assistance team consists of four members, including George Yu, the Legal Assistant Attorney; he uses his knowledge of New Mexico and Texas laws to help active service members and retirees. His specialty is criminal law.
Bobbie J. Salas is the Legal Administrator and Paralegal; she runs the legal office and has worked at WSMR for 39 years. Salas mentioned the most significant change since she began her career at WSMR is the clientele consists of more retirees.
Raymond Boceta and Billy Garner work closely together as Paralegals and Legal Assistants in the office. They screen clients, administer the power of attorneys, and notarize documents. Garner also prepares dockets for the lawyers that go to the Magistrate Court for traffic tickets issued by the White Sands Missile Range Directorate of Emergency Services.
“My team filters our clients by asking questions; once they verify that it is a situation beyond the scope of a legal assistant, then Ray and Billy schedule the client an appointment with me. From there, I provide a consultation to address our client's issues," said Yu.
From criminal law to family law, the office has a wide span of cases that they take on each year. The office members utilize their experience in law and conduct research to ensure they properly serve their clientele.
“The office provides legal assistance which involves anything dealing with pay and housing issues, child support, wills, and divorces,” said Salas. “Our main goal is to serve the Soldier and be here for the military.”
For example, the team takes action when a vehicle dealership takes advantage of service members. Dealerships are known to pressure young Soldiers into contracts with high percentage rates, hidden fees, and premium prices for warranties. The WSMR legal office helps with these situations by rescinding the contract and has successfully recovered thousands of dollars for their clients.
“If the contract is unconscionable, then I will contact the dealership and manage any correspondence that needs to be addressed,” said Yu. “If you come in for wills and need one, I will provide that for you. We give individual attention to our client's needs, and our action depends on the situation.”
The office supports White Sands Missile Range, nearby military installations, and the military community. The WSMR legal assistants have a reputation for responding to clients promptly and always answering their correspondence and phone calls. Due to their reputation, when service members from the neighboring military installations have an urgent matter, many directly contact the WSMR legal office.
According to the Army Chief of Staff’s office, the criteria for the award includes quality of services, innovations to provide better service; professional development of staff; and the quality of the office's preventive law program.
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