The first ALSC Volunteer of the Month of 2017 is Elizabeth Fleming of Kodiak! Elizabeth brings a wealth of knowledge and dedication to her work and we are honored to have her as a volunteer! Check out our interview with Elizabeth below:

Why did you choose to volunteer with ALSC? 

I’m a retired Army Colonel and I have specialized knowledge and experience with military pay, benefits, and retirement. I volunteer to help people who need this kind of experience. Of my 30 years, 20 were served in the Army Reserves as a second job. That kind of commitment to military service made it very difficult to fully participate in community and church activities. Now that I am retired, I am able to do volunteer work using that specialized experience.

What are some of your experiences at ALSC that have made a positive difference in the lives of others and/or the community?  

Unfortunately, in many pro se marriage dissolutions involving the military, the spouse gives up property rights in the active member’s retirement, often without receiving anything of value in return. Military retirement is a property right and is divisible in a divorce. Both spouses need competent legal advice as to how best to treat this asset.

How do you think your experiences with ALSC will benefit you in the future? 

I have been in practice since 1981, but I am still fairly new to Alaska family law. Every family law matter I handle gives me more experience that I carry with me to my future clients.

What do you do when you are not volunteering with ALSC?

I have a full-time law practice in Kodiak, but I also accept paid cases to act as defense counsel at military criminal trials world wide. The military will allow a civilian to appear as counsel at a court-martial at no expense to the government. I have appeared in several courts-martial over the past four years, all of which involved allegations involving one form or another of sexual misconduct.