User:Driscollmt

The purpose of The John Marshall Law School Veterans Support Legal Clinic (VLSC) is to assist veterans filing VA benefit claims as well as to provide representation for veterans during the appeals process through our statewide network of pro bono attorneys.

History

The Veterans Legal Support Center & Clinic was created in September 2006 by three law students at The John Marshall Law School in Chicago, Illinois: 1st Lt. Nick Henry, who served two tours in Iraq, Ryan Coward, a 1st Lt. commited to the Army JAG Corps, and Michael Barnicle who is commited to the Army JAG corps as well. These students recognized veterans, both in Illinois and across the nation, were having trouble navigating the complexities of the Veterans Benefits Administration claims process.

In the fall of 2006, then Student Bar Association President Michael Abramson approached the charter members of the Military Law Society, Henry, Coward, and Barnicle, with an ABA Law Student Division Resolution. This resolution encouraged more clinical programs at ABA Law Schools focused on legal assistance to active military personnel. After initial research by Henry, Coward, and Barnicle, these students determinied that a clinical program's resources would best direcetd towards serving our nations veterans, as active duty military personnell can draw upon the resources of the JAG coprs. Over the course of the 2006-2007 academic year, these three students collaborated to establish a clinical model which would establish a veterans legal clinic at John Marshall and also serve as a model for like clinics across the nation. Having created a blueprint for the organization and operation of the clinic, the students enlisted the assistance of John Marshall Alumni Brian Clauss and Professor Joseph Butler. Together Mr. Clauss and Professor Butler helped to continue the development and planning for the clinic. In the spring of 2007, the John Marshall faculty and Board of Trustees approved the establishment of the Veterans Legal Support Center and Clinic at The John Marshall Law School. The VLSC would serve as a clinical training experience for law students while at the same time serving the legal needs of veterans pursuing VA claims. Shortly after the VLSC was established by the John Marshall Board of Trustees, the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs approved a $100,000 grant to fund the VLSC during its first year of operation. In January of 2008, the VLSC officially opened its doors to veterans around the Chicagoland area. In addition to representing veterans, the VLSC continually trains both students and attorneys through Continuing Legal Education programs and Veteran Advocacy training throughout the State of Illinois. Also in January of 2008, The John Marshall Law School offered for the first time, a course in Veteran's Advocacy