Expert guidance for veterans’ legal needs

The Veterans Legal Practicum is being funded through a three-year Justice for Heroes grant from Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s office, secured with the help of the New York State Division of Veterans’ Affairs.

As a teaching vehicle, Kuhn says, “We want to create an environment where students who are interested in representing vets or service members (perhaps they are veterans themselves, or have a family member or indirect tie to service) can join this practicum and have the opportunity to practice providing legal services, and give some real help to an underserved population.”

“As is true of all UB School of Law practicum courses, there is a strong classroom component with in-depth, real world readings to prepare students for the service learning component,” says Connolly, who directs the School of Law’s clinical education program and has specialized in experiential learning for almost 20 years. “We have also integrated other vital skills training, including working with clients, functioning in teams, operating with proper trauma-informed lawyering, and using reflection and self-evaluation to ensure excellence in practice.”

The local need is great. Of the more than 900,000 veterans in New York State, Erie County ranks among the top five counties for veterans. In Erie County, 68 of every 1,000 individuals are veterans. According to UB’s Office of Veteran Services, there are 171 veterans and 85 people in active service on campus. The on-campus help desk will serve students, faculty and staff.  The non-UB location will be open to all veterans.

As an example of the body of law the students are studying, Kuhn says one common issue is seeking to change a veteran’s discharge status. Those whose discharge is classified as less than honorable are ineligible for some benefits; but, he says, “a lot of soldiers get discharged without knowing their rights.” Knowledgeable lawyers can help them appeal that designation to review boards or the federal Department of Veterans Affairs directly, arguing that an error or injustice has been committed.

In addition to the help desks, the practicum is creating a training program to help local businesses understand the rights of veterans who are accompanied by service dogs, and developing a network of referral sources for veterans services. Interested alumni can get in touch with Kuhn at (716) 439-4700.

“My hope,” he says, “is that we can become one of the nation’s largest and most productive veterans law practicums and eventually create a large clinic. We have a huge veteran population in Erie and Niagara counties, and this is just a start.”

Another major veterans-related project is a Veterans Human Rights Conference scheduled for April 26 at the School of Law, co-sponsored by the school, the New York State Division of Veterans’ Affairs, and the New York State Division of Human Rights. With a diverse audience expected – lawyers practicing veterans and human rights law, veterans service officers, lawyers interested in new pro bono opportunities, veterans and their families, and interested community members – the daylong conference aims to dispel misconceptions and raise awareness of the issues America’s past service members often face.

Benjamin Pomerance, deputy director for program development with the Division of Veterans’ Affairs says there are often-forgotten veterans who are incarcerated, or who were less-than-honorably discharged because they came out as gay or because post-traumatic stress disorder got them into trouble while they were still serving. There are employers leery of hiring veterans, and landlords reluctant to rent to them, because of misguided stereotypes.

“When we see veterans, we all say, ‘Thank you for your service,’ ” Pomerance says. “This conference explores what that really needs to mean."