Enrollment in this clinic will fulfill the HLS JD pro bono requirement.

Required Class Component: Veterans Law and Disability Benefits Clinical Seminar (2 fall classroom credits). This clinic and course are bundled; your enrollment in this clinic will automatically enroll you in the required course.

Additional Co-/Pre-Requisites: None.

By Permission: No.

Add/Drop Deadline: August 14, 2020.

LLM Students: LLM students may apply to this clinic by submitting an application. Please Note: LLM students may take this clinic for 2 clinical credits.

Placement Site: WilmerHale Legal Services Center (Jamaica Plain).

Students in the Clinic work to protect the rights of veterans and their families and persons with disabilities. Students can select among three projects within the Clinic:  (1) The Veterans Justice Project: representing veterans in administrative and state and federal court appeals to challenge wrongful denials of veterans benefits and to ; (2) Estate Planning Project:  representing veterans and their families in estate and financial planning matters such as wills, trusts, advanced directives, guardianships, and conservatorships; or (3) Safety Net Project:  representing clients in administrative and court appeals to challenge wrongful denials of Social Security disability benefits. The Clinic’s practice includes administrative, disability, mental health, probate, and constitutional law. Students gain in-depth experience with: client and witness interviewing; working with medical evidence and experts; drafting pleadings, motions, and briefs; drafting legal instruments; examining and cross-examining witnesses at hearings; judicial review of agency decisions; presenting oral argument, engaging in negotiation; and solving ethical dilemmas. Students also have opportunities to engage in systemic reform initiatives–through litigation and/or policy work–to improve the lives of veterans with disabilities. Overall, the Clinic focuses its advocacy efforts on using the law to promote financial stability, access to healthcare, and dignity for veterans and their families and persons with disabilities.

For more information about the Clinic, please visit: Veterans Law and Disability Benefits Clinic.

This Clinic is part of the WilmerHale Legal Services Center (LSC), a general practice community law office in Jamaica Plain. LSC’s diverse clinics provide clinical instruction to second- and third-year law students and serve as a laboratory for the innovative delivery of legal services.