Law College's Veterans Legal Service Secures 'Justice for Heroes' Funding Grant
Syracuse University's Veterans Legal Clinic Expands Services with Justice for Heroes Grant
The Betty and Michael D. Wohl Veterans Legal Clinic (VLC) at Syracuse University College of Law has received a significant boost, thanks to a $150,000 Justice for Heroes grant from the New York State Department of Veterans' Services. This grant will enable the clinic to expand its scope and impact, providing essential legal services to veterans and their families in Central New York.
The VLC's expanded services will focus on high-demand areas such as VA health and disability benefits, and military discharge upgrades. The clinic's work will not only benefit local veterans but will also extend to the military-connected community at Syracuse University, marking a first-of-its-kind effort in higher education.
Terence J. Lau L'98, dean of the College of Law, expressed pride in the clinic's impact, saying, "The VLC's work exemplifies our commitment to experiential learning, community service, and public interest law." Beth Kubala, the executive director of the Office of Clinical Legal Education, director of the VLC, teaching professor in the College of Law, and a U.S. Army veteran, added that the grant will enable the VLC to build upon its 10-year track record of delivering exceptional level services and representation to the veteran community and their families.
The grant supports the clinic’s role in experiential learning by allowing student attorneys, many of whom are veterans themselves, to gain hands-on experience representing real clients under faculty supervision. This experience is crucial in imparting critical legal skills and fostering a new generation of veteran-focused legal advocates.
The Justice for Heroes grant program demonstrates New York state's dedication to improving the lives of veterans and their ongoing support of law school outreach programs. The VLC's work is a testament to this commitment, offering essential pro bono legal support that helps veterans access benefits and improve their legal standing related to military service. This can profoundly affect their healthcare, financial stability, and overall well-being.
In addition to its legal services, the VLC will launch a new initiative to serve military-connected students, faculty, and staff at the University. This initiative will further solidify the clinic's position as a valuable resource for the Syracuse University community.
The VLC is one of just five law schools in New York state selected for the Justice for Heroes grant. The Department of Veterans' Services supports the VLC's important work, and the clinic looks forward to continuing its mission of serving veterans and their families in Central New York.
[1] Source: Syracuse University College of Law press release, dated 12 March 2023. [4] Source: Syracuse University College of Law website, accessed 13 March 2023.
- This significant boost for Syracuse University's Veterans Legal Clinic, granted by the New York State Department of Veterans' Services, aims to expand services in areas like VA health and disability benefits, and military discharge upgrades.
- The expanded services of the VLC will not only benefit local veterans but also the military-connected community at Syracuse University, marking a first-of-its-kind effort in higher education.
- Student attorneys, many of whom are veterans themselves, will gain hands-on experience representing real clients under faculty supervision, fostering a new generation of veteran-focused legal advocates.
- The Justice for Heroes grant program reflects New York state's commitment to improving veterans' lives and ongoing support of law school outreach programs.
- The VLC's work is a testament to this commitment, offering essential pro bono legal support that can profoundly affect veterans' healthcare, financial stability, and overall well-being.
- The VLC will also launch a new initiative to serve military-connected students, faculty, and staff at the University, further solidifying its position as a valuable resource for the Syracuse University community.
