We believe that our veterans - our nations defendersdeserve the care, benefits, and compensation they were promised, and the best legal services, free of charge, to meet their challenges.
ABOUT THE VETERANS CONSORTIUM
At The Veterans Consortium, we believe that our Veterans in need—our nation’s defenders—deserve the care, benefits, and compensation they were promised, and the best legal services free of charge to meet their challenges.
For 30 years, TVC have provided the best legal services in federal venues to veterans and their families, caregivers, and survivors, no matter where in the world they live. With the help of our dedicated staff, we have handled more than 73,000 legal requests, trained 6100 attorneys, $140M in donated services, trained over 5,475 attorneys from law firms and corporate legal departments across the country, helped law schools establish and sustain veterans law programs or legal clinics. Our TVC National Volunteer Corps and Mission Partners have helped us succeed in 83% of our federal cases at the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, the Federal Circuit, and the Supreme Court - where our volunteers have achieved two unanimous decisions for veterans. These achievements translate into over $128 million in pro bono legal services provided on behalf of veterans in need, and more than twice that in the lifetime value of care, benefits, and disability compensation regained that have truly changed our clients’ lives.
For 30 years, TVC has been providing the best legal services in federal venues to veterans and their families, caregivers, and survivors, no matter where in the world they live.
TVC operates the Federal Pro Bono Program for Veterans— created by Congress in 1992—on behalf of the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims through a competitivelyawarded LSC grant. As the leading national 501(c)(3) charity providing legal services in federal venues for veterans in need, we provide legal counsel free of charge through our TVC National Volunteer Corps and related pro bono professionals. We recruit volunteer attorneys and provide them with specialized training, mentors, case materials, and other focused resources to enable and enhance their success. Concurrently, our staff conducts outreach to eligible veterans, diligently screens their cases to identify those with an issue of merit, and carefully matches them with one of our pro bono attorneys best suited to win each case. The Veterans Consortium was founded in 1992 and has operated continuously since.
A MESSAGE FROM OUR CHAIRMAN
This was a milestone year for TVC. We celebrated 30 years of continuous service to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, reflecting on our history and accomplishments. At the request of the Court’s first Chief Judge, Chief Judge Nebeker, the U.S. Congress enacted a federal pro bono program for Veterans to be administered by the Legal Services Corporation in 1992.
The recently established Court was concerned about the number of veterans that were not represented by counsel in their appeals. Realizing the need to secure quality advocates for veteran claimants with a financial need, the Court asked Congress to reallocate part of its own budget to create a pro bono program. In response to the Court’s request, Congress authorized the creation of a program that that would facilitate the adequate evaluation and representation of veterans appeals by the Court and provide training and support to develop a skilled veteran claims bar.
The LSC awarded the initial grant to The American Legion, Disabled American Veterans, National Veterans Legal Services Program, and Paralyzed Veterans of America, which resulted in the creation of the Veterans Consortium to administer the new veterans pro bono program. Since that time, TVC has matured to become a stand-alone, leading non-profit legal services organization for veterans. Our four founding veterans service organizations have faithfully served on our Executive Board for the past 30 years. In 2019, we added the Veterans of Foreign Wars to our Executive Board. We also have four members from the of the private bar, including myself, who serve on the Executive Board. This diversity of experience and
expertise amongst our Executive Board Directors provide a sound foundation to guide TVC into the future and maintain the high level of service that the Court and our veteran clients have come to expect.
This report highlights several TVC case studies and demonstrates the impact and strong commitment of our volunteers to our nation’s veterans. Please be sure to have a look at the TVC National Volunteer Honor Roll to see a list of our dedicated volunteers that generously choose to work with us. Without the commitment of individual attorneys, law firms, corporate legal teams, and academic programs, we would be unable to carry out our mission. We thank them for devoting their time, expertise, and resources to this worthy cause.
Without the commitment of individual attorneys, law firms, corporate legal teams, and academic programs, we would be unable to carry out our mission. We thank them for devoting their time, expertise, and resources to this worthy cause.
It is my pleasure to serve on the Executive Board as Chairman and to witness the growth and impact of TVC – known as a gold standard in veterans law. I look forward to a very bright future ahead supporting our nation’s defenders and ensuring that they receive the care, benefits, and compensation they were promised.
William S. Foster, Jr., Esq. Chairman, TVC Executive Board
OUR IMPACT
Handled over 73,000 legal requests from veterans and their loved ones.
Over 83% lifetime success rate for federal cases.
Recruited, trained, and mentored over 6,100 attorneys across the U.S.
$140 Million Value of donated attorney services.
Operates a national helpline that provides valuable information to pro se appellants as they navigate the CAVC process.
A MESSAGE FROM OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
This year was particularly meaningful, as we celebrated the 30th anniversary of The Veterans Consortium’s (TVC) founding in 1992. TVC was established at the request of the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, with the dual mission to train and provide a ready corps of volunteer attorneys to provide quality legal representation to “pro se” veteran claimants who were denied disability compensation by the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Since it was established, TVC has grown to become a leading non-profit organization, providing pro bono legal services to our nation’s veterans in federal venues. We’ve handled over 73,000 requests for legal assistance, trained more than 6,000 volunteer attorneys, succeeded in nearly 83% of our federal cases before the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, and represented veterans at the Federal Circuit, and the U.S. Supreme Court – where our volunteers have achieved two unanimous decisions. These achievements translate to over $140 million dollars in pro bono legal services provided on behalf of Veterans in need, and more than three times that in the lifetime value of care, benefits, and disability compensation- which has truly changed lives.
Over the past five years, TVC has added several legal assistance programs to further support the legal needs of veterans. Our Discharge Upgrade Program, established in 2019, has seen a 93% success rate in over 100 cases in support of veterans whose mental health issues had a bearing on their misconduct and other than honorable discharge. After two years piloting two programs under Equal Justice Works Fellowships, we formally launched our Women Veterans Legal Assistance and Veterans Naturalization Assistance Programs. In addition, we continue to hold bi-monthly legal advice and referral clinics for veterans living in DC, Maryland and Virginia and established a legal clinic specific to the unique need of women veterans staffed exclusively by women attorneys. These programs are the result of grants, sponsorships, and donations.
Our sponsors were extremely generous this year and we are grateful to each one of you. This generosity will translate to innovative and quality legal services for our nation’s defenders and their families. I want to especially thank our Champion Sponsors, Baker Botts LLP and The John and Daria Barry Foundation, our Hero Sponsor, Shook Hardy & Bacon, and our Freedom Sponsor, McCarter English. Thank you for your generous support and unwavering commitment to our program. We are grateful for your partnership and patriotism.
I also want to congratulate our 2022 Pro Bono Mission Partner Awardees, Law Firm/Corporate Pro Bono Mission Partners, Covington & Burling and the Northup Grumman Corporation, Law Firm Pro Bono Mission Partner, Shook Hardy & Bacon, and Chairman’s Award recipient, Kamaria Davis, Esq. We are fortunate to have excellent Pro Bono partners that make us a gold standard in veterans advocacy.
On behalf of our nation’s defenders, their families, caregivers, and survivors, I thank you all for your volunteer service and for supporting our mission. This is a team effort, and each of you is critical to our success. We honor and salute each of you.
Captain (ret) U.S. Navy Executive Director
CELEBRATING 30 YEARS OF SERVICE TO VETERANS
On Wednesday, July 27, TVC hosted our 30th Anniversary Reception on our rooftop. We celebrated this milestone with members of the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, representatives from our founding organizations (Disabled American Veterans, The American Legion, Paralyzed Veterans of America, and National Veterans Legal Services Program), the Director of the D.C. Mayor’s Office of Veterans Affairs and other important Mission Partners.
The Honorable Margaret Bartley, Chief Judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, served as our keynote speaker, recounting personal memories of her time with TVC and remembering members of our dedicated staff, past and present. We were also presented with congratulatory proclamations from our founding organizations by representatives on our executive board.
left to right: TVC Director, Outreach & Development, Claudia Daley, DC Mayor’s Office of Veterans Affairs, Elliot Tommingo, and TVC Executive Director, Stephen Jordon
Pictured
Pictured: Chief Judge, U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, Margaret Bartley
Madam Speaker,
I rise today to commemorate the 30th anniversary of The Veterans Consortium, a nonprofit organization providing pro bono services to our nation’s veterans with cases pending before the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (CAVC).
The Veterans Consortium was established after the first Chief Judge of the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims encouraged Congress to create a program to provide veterans with suitable legal representation before the Court--and help them receive every dollar in benefits they are entitled to. A competitive grant was awarded to The Veterans Consortium for the formation of a legal services corporation to carry out Congress’s wishes. Although today it is an independent nonprofit, The Veterans Consortium’s founding members are four hallmark veterans advocacy organizations: The American Legion, Disabled American Veterans, National Veterans Legal Services Program, and Paralyzed Veterans of America.
Over the past 3 decades, The Veterans Consortium has become one of the most prominent organizations providing pro bono services for veterans’ claims, with almost 6,000 volunteer attorneys having delivered over $400 million in rightful benefits, care, and compensation to American veterans. They did so by astoundingly winning over 83 percent of their appeals cases. While this number demonstrates the effectiveness of the Consortium, it also underscores significant room for improvement in the Department of Veterans Affairs benefits determination process.
That’s what makes the work of The Veterans Consortium so important.
As Chair of the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations subcommittee, I have the distinct honor and responsibility of leading the only committee in Congress that cares for our servicemembers through their entire lifecycle: both during and after their service. I’m proud to work with our VSOs to ensure those who have risked their lives for this Nation are supported throughout their transition to civilian life and are able to age with dignity. A critical component of that work is ensuring the Veterans Benefits Administration is adequately funded and that our veterans receive the benefits they need and are entitled to.
We know the benefits and claims process is in dire need of reform, and it has been for years now. That is why I will continue working with VA Secretary McDonough to improve upon the existing system, and by conducting rigorous oversight of all VA agencies to ensure they are spending the money we provide effectively. Congress can honor our veterans--and the decades of committed work of The Veterans Consortium--by legislating and using the power of the purse to make sure the benefits and claims process is working for those who served their country. For all that veterans sacrifice for this Nation, the least we can do is ensure they receive the benefits they were promised and deserve.
Congratulations to the Veterans Consortium and the TVC National Volunteer Corps on 30 impactful years, and I thank them for all the critically important work they do.
Member of Congress
TVC Executive Board Chairman, William S. Foster, Jr., Esq., TVC Executive Director, Stephen Jordon, Disabled American Veterans, Chief Executive Officer, Marc Burgess, and TVC Executive Board Director, Roy E. Spicer
Pictured: Senior Director, CAVC Practice, Courtney L. Smith, Esq.
Pictured left to right: TVC Executive Director, Stephen Jordon, TVC Executive Board Member, Lenoard Selfon, Esq., and TVC Executive Board Chairman., William S. Foster, Jr., Esq.
Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL)
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD— Extensions of Remarks E697
TVC Executive Director, Stephen Jordon
30 YEARS OF SERVICE TO VETERANS
TVC Executive Director, Stephen Jordon, TVC Executive Board Director, Mario A. Marquez, and TVC Executive Board Chairman, William S. Foster, Jr., Esq.
TVC Executive Director, Stephen Jordon, NVLSP Former Executive Board Director, Bart Stitchman, Esq., and TVC Senior Director, CAVC Practice, Courtney L. Smith, Esq.
2022 TVC DIRECTORS & OFFICERS
William S. Foster, Jr., Esq. Chairman & Director (Northrup Grumman Corp)
Leonard J. Selfon, Esq. Director/Secretary (Paralyzed Veterans of America)
Lee Gardner, Esq. Director (Google Inc.)
Aniela Szymanski, Esq. Vice Chair & Director (Chief Warrant & Warrant Officers Assn of the U.S. Coast Guard)
John Muckelbauer, Esq. Director (Veterans of Foreign Wars)
Richard V. Spataro, Esq. Director (National Veterans Legal Services Program)
Mario A. Marquez Director (The American Legion)
Roy E. Spicer Director (Disabled American Veterans)
Lanita Morgan, Esq. Director (Schmoyer Reinhard LLP)
Kari Jolly Treasurer (SM US LLP)
2022 PRO BONO MISSION PARTNER AWARDS
2022 TVC Chairman’s Award
The Veterans Consortium Pro Bono Program congratulates U.S. Navy veteran, Kamaria Davis, Esq. on her selection to receive the 2022 TVC Chairman’s Award in recognition of her outstanding record of service to our nation’s veterans and their families, caregivers, and survivors.
Kamaria became a member of our National Volunteer Corps in 2014 and has been diligently advocating for veterans in need since then. She has achieved successful outcomes for her clients in eleven of her twelve cases before the Court. In June of this year, she was selected by our team as a Volunteer Inspiring Pro Bono lawyer, or “VIP” as a stand-out member of TVC’s National Volunteer Corps.
Kamaria currently works as the Managing Attorney at Leibovic Law Group where she focuses on disability advocacy. Prior to working at Leibovic, she practiced in North Carolina State Court, representing clients in criminal, juvenile delinquency, and civil matters. Kamaria has focused her entire legal career on advocating for people who are generally at the worst point of their lives and need legal assistance. She is also very active on her personal time and frequently volunteers to assist indigent members of her community. It is this desire to help those in need that makes her such an asset to TVC and her fellow veterans.
As a veteran, she personally understands the challenges that veterans can face after service and brings a deep passion and commitment to each of her cases. We’re very grateful to have someone as dedicated and skillful as Kamaria working on behalf of our veterans, and we thank her for her continued service to our country.
2022 Pro Bono Law Firm/ Corporate Award
The Veterans Consortium Pro Bono Program congratulates Covington & Burling LLP and Northrop Grumman Corporation, on their selection as the 2022 TVC Law Firm/Corporate Pro Bono Mission Partners, in recognition of their outstanding record of service to our nation’s veterans, their families, caregivers, and survivors.
In 2020, Covington & Burling and Northrop Grumman partnered to sponsor an Equal Justice Works Fellowship at TVC. The two-year fellowship, called The Veterans Naturalization Assistance Program (VNAP) was managed by former Equal Justice Works fellow, Nicqelle Fleming, Esq.
Approximately 5,000 non-citizens serve in the military each year, and as of 2018, a staggering 94,000 non-citizen veterans do not have U.S. citizenship. Veterans are denied citizenship at a rate 5% higher than their civilian counterparts for a variety of reasons and there is very little support or understanding of the unique challenges they face – even after serving our country.
2022 PRO BONO MISSION PARTNER AWARDS
The goal of the fellowship was to develop a program that would educate veterans on the naturalization process and their rights, understand why veterans are denied at a higher rate than civilians, and train volunteer attorneys to assist them in their naturalization applications. With the support and leadership of Covington to and Northrop, VNAP grew to be a nationally respected program by non-profits, advocacy groups, and Veteran Service Organizations around the country. It is also recognized as a leading program by the VA.
Many attorneys from Covington and Northrop Grumman enthusiastically supported the program, taking cases and participating in over 40 outreach clinics around the country. Under their leadership, the program trained over 1800 individuals and responded to approximately 100 requests from non-citizen veterans. To date, 31 of our veteran clients have proudly raised their right hand to become United States citizens and 30 more are in the process of doing so. VNAP has positively impacted the lives of many non-citizen veterans who choose to serve our country.
We’re honored to have both organizations as dedicated TVC Mission Partners. Their passion and engagement for VNAP and for veterans is admirable.
This commitment to pro bono service clearly demonstrates that the Covington & Burling LLP and the Northrop Grumman Corporation, combined team, have gone- above and beyond the call of duty- on behalf of our nation’s defenders and is a model for others to emulate.
2022 TVC Law Firm Pro Bono Mission Partner
Shook Hardy & Bacon, L.L.P.
The Veterans Consortium Pro Bono Program congratulates, Shook Hardy & Bacon, L.L.P. on their selection as our 2022 TVC Law Firm Pro Bono Mission Partner, in recognition of their outstanding record of service to our nation’s veterans, their families, caregivers, and survivors.
Shook Hardy’s commitment to pro bono is evidenced by the myriad of matters they take on, including immigration cases, special education, foster care adoptions, domestic violence, prisoners’ rights cases, and veterans’ appeals and discharge upgrades. Shook Hardy attorneys are on the front lines, advocating for individuals in need, and they have become valued partners to us by providing exceptional representation to veterans, their families, caregivers, and survivors.
After honoring our veterans by attending TVC’s Memorial Day and Veterans Day trainings, Shook Hardy & Bacon attorneys went to work! In one year, the firm took on 14 of our CAVC cases, with positive outcomes in 6 -- and 8 currently in progress. They also strongly support our Discharge Upgrade Program and have taken 11 cases for veterans who wrongfully received less than honorable discharges.
Shook Hardy is also a very generous supporter of our program as a Hero sponsor this year. This generosity allows us to provide vital services to veterans for their unique legal challenges through our Women Veterans Legal Assistance Program, Veterans Naturalization Assistance Program, and our two pro bono legal advice and referral clinics in the DMV area. This sustained commitment to pro bono service for veterans and their families, caregivers, and survivors clearly demonstrates that Shook Hardy & Bacon, L.L.P, has “gone above and beyond the call of duty” on behalf of our nation’s veterans.
With Appreciation
The Veterans Consortium Pro Bono Mission Partners Awards Sponsors
CHAMPION
Baker Botts L.L.P.
John and Daria Barry Foundation
HERO
Shook, Hardy, & Bacon L.L.P.
FREEDOM
Greenberg Traurig LLP
McCarter & English, LLP
PATRIOT
The Morrison Foerster Foundation
Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP
Quarles & Brady LLP
GUARDIAN
Alston & Bird
American Legion
Blank Rome LLP
Buckley LLP
Cameron Firm, P.C.
Disabled American Veterans
Kirkland & Ellis LLP
K&L Gates LLP
Lockheed Martin Corporation
Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP
HONOR GUARD
Fish & Richardson PC
Just Law
Veterans Law Office of Amy B. Kretkowski PLC
Veterans’ Rights Law Group, PLLC
VETERAN’S DEFENDER
Attig Curran Steel, PLLC
Chisholm, Chisholm & Kilpatrick LTD
Christie Bhageloe, Esq.
Evans & Dixon, LLC
Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP
Law Office of Michael J. Sepanik
National Organization of Veterans Advocates
Seyfarth Shaw LLP
Valerie Daye, Esq.
National Association of County Veterans Service Officers
National Veterans Legal Services Program
Veterans of Foreign Wars
White & Case LLP
VetLaw
William S. Foster, Esq.
2022 TVC
Donor Honor Roll
$25,000 - $100,000
Baker Botts L.L.P.
McCarter & English LLP
Shook Hardy & Bacon L.L.P.
$10,000- $24,999
Buckley LLP
Groom Law Group
Orrick, Harrington, & Sutcliffe, LLP
The Morrison & Foerster Foundation
The Nathan P. Jacobs Foundation
W. Lawrence Wescott
$5,000- $9,999
Aggregated Donations (CFC)
Alston & Bird LLP
American Legion
Blank Rome LLP
Cameron Firm, PC
Disabled American Veterans (DAV)
Dorsey & Whitney Foundation
Greenburg Traurig LLP
K&L Gates LLP
Lockheed Martin Corporation
Manatt Phelps & Phillips LLP
National Veterans Legal Services Program (NVLSP)
Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA)
Quarles & Brady LLP
Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW)
Wheeler Trigg O’Donnell LLP
White & Case LLP
$1,500- $4,999
Fish & Richardson P.C.
JustLaw
Veterans Law Office of Amy B. Kretkowski
Veterans Rights Law Group
Thank you to our donors whose generous support is critical to our mission. Much of the tremendous work reported in this annual report was made possible because of these contributions. On behalf of the veterans, their families, caregivers, and survivors that we serve, thank you for caring and your generosity.
$500 - $1,499
Aggregated Anonymous Donations (PayPal)
Attig Curran Steel, PLLC
Chisholm Chisholm & Kilpatrick LTD
Christie Bhageloe, Esq.
Evans & Dixon, LLC
Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP
Foster Garvey PC
Gwendolyn Prothro Renigar
Joseph Miller
Keith Krom, Esq.
Kirkland & Ellis LLP
Law Office of Michael J. Sepanik
Mark Matthews
Major General Michael J. Nardotti, Jr. USA (Ret.)
National Organization of Veterans’ Advocates
Nicole Monachino
Raymond James
Robert Davis
Seyfarth Shaw LLP
Valerie Daye, Esq.
VetLaw
William S. Foster Jr., Esq.
$25 - $499
Alan Nuta, Esq.
Augusta Siribuo, Esq.
Brian McKeon, Esq.
Christopher Hinze
Constantina Glover, Esq.
Edmund Glabus
Jack Rawlins
Jamal Aleem, Esq.
John Nownes
Therese Strode
2022 CASE STUDY: U.S. Army Veteran Finally Wins Service Connection Disability Rating After 6 Long Years With Help From TVC and Duane Morris LLP
Mr. Robert (“Bob”) Tracey’s story is a testament to persistence and determination. A U.S. Army veteran who served on active duty from October 1965 to September 1967, and in the Army Reserves thereafter until 1971, Mr. Tracey had been in a decades long fight for VA benefits for lumbar spine and bilateral shoulder disabilities. With the tireless advocacy of a TVC Core Mission Partner – Duane Morris LLP – on April 4, 2022, Mr. Tracey was granted service connection at a combined rating of 80% as of October 29, 2020, and 70% as of February 22, 2011, the date that Mr. Tracey filed his original claim, and he received retroactive disability compensation totaling over $150,000 and ongoing monthly disability benefits of over $1,700.
As is true for many veterans, Mr. Tracey experienced hardship as a young soldier during his time in service and spent decades later in life trying to have the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (“VA”) recognize that this hardship had caused him to suffer significant pain after service. While on active duty (19651967), Mr. Tracey served as a field artillery crewman specializing on the 155mm self-propelled Howitzer with the 2nd Battalion, 6th Artillery, 3rd Armored division, and his time included an eighteen (18) month deployment to Gelnhausen, Germany. His duties as a field artillery crewman included numerous field exercises and live-fire training events during this deployment where he manually onloaded and offloaded 100lb Howitzer rounds from ammunition trucks, and jogged, while carrying these rounds on his shoulders, over the mountainous, uneven terrain of the field to load the rounds into, and position extra rounds around, the Howitzers. These military duties caused issues with both his back and shoulders. He suffered from hearing loss, and back and shoulder pain, during service and thereafter, and continually sought and received treatment for this pain from private physicians starting in his late 20s (1973) until today.
Starting in 2005, Mr. Tracey also began receiving treatment through his local VA Medical Center and filed his first claims for service-connected disability compensation with the VA for hearing loss, tinnitus, and total disability due to individual unemployability. The VA initially granted service-connection for his tinnitus and hearing loss at a 10% rating but denied his other claims. In February 2011, with assistance from the American Legion, Mr. Tracey filed claims at the VA for, among
other things, hypertension and back and bilateral shoulder arthritis, but these claims were denied by the VA, a decision that Mr. Tracey then appealed to the Board of Veterans Appeals (“Board”). After an oral hearing in November 2014, the Board denied his claim for entitlement to service connection for hypertension and remanded his claims for service connection for his back and bilateral shoulder disabilities for further development (including C&P exams).
2022 CAVC: CASE STUDY
Mr. Tracy’s journey with TVC and Duane Morris began shortly thereafter - in October 2015 - when TVC was able to place his appeal of the April 2015 Board decision to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veteran’s Claims (“Court”) case with Duane Morris. Duane Morris (Pat McPherson and Chris Tyson) diligently briefed his hypertension appeal and were able to secure a remand for Mr. Tracey. Chief Judge Margaret Bartley issued a Memorandum Decision in September 2016 and ruled the Board failed in its duty to assist Mr. Tracey. Specifically, Judge Bartley ordered the VA to obtain Mr. Tracey’s private treatment records and instructed the Board to consider whether relevant Reserve service and/or medical records existed and, if so, to obtain them.
Duane Morris did not stop there. In looking at Mr. Tracey’s overall claims and disability picture, the firm thought that the best way to proceed would be to have his claim for service connection for hypertension further remanded to the VA so that it could be evaluated concurrently with the rest of his disability claims. They were successful in achieving that goal in April 2018 and continued to represent Mr. Tracey on all his pending claims. It became clear that Mr. Tracey’s best chance for success was to focus on service connection for his bilateral shoulder and lumbar spine disabilities. The Duane Morris team saw the evidence in his record, and listened to Mr. Tracey’s in-service experiences, and knew something needed to be done despite the uphill battle that he faced, which unfortunately is true for many veterans of his generation.
Duane Morris went into action and knew their goal was to gather as much evidence to overcome the obstacles Mr. Tracey
faced, including a lack of in-service medical record notations, the military’s lack of retention of reserve service medical records, and the large gap in time between their representation of Mr. Tracey and the time that he was discharged from the Army (1967-2015) which resulted in the destruction of many relevant private medical records). In addition, by the time Duane Morris took on their representation of Mr. Tracey, the VA had already issued two (2) prior negative compensation and pension examinations (C&P), one of which claimed Mr. Tracey’s previous, post-service work as an auto mechanic was most likely the cause of his disabilities rather than his experience in service.
These facts did not deter the Duane Morris team (Chris Tyson, Pat McPherson, Jordana Garellek, and Josh Staples), who through much effort and persistence, were able to secure as much evidence as possible to assist with Mr. Tracey’s claims. This team was able to find Army veterans who served in the same division, at the same time and on the same deployment in Germany as Mr. Tracey. An affidavit was obtained through these efforts to corroborate Mr. Tracey’s lay testimony about his in-service duties and the extent of the field exercises and live-fire training events. The team acquired additional affidavits, including from (i) Mr. Tracey’s prior auto mechanic supervisor who attested that his actual mechanic duties caused no significant strain on his shoulder and back, and (ii) his chiropractor who personally corroborated his continual treatment since 1973/1974 and the fact that the corroborating treatment records had been destroyed during the passage of time (and as part of their office’s standard practices). The team also confirmed with the U.S. government that no medical records for Mr. Tracey’s reserve service existed (were lost, destroyed, or never created), and that other private medical records were destroyed per standard retention policies.
To help build more evidence, the Duane Morris team assisted Mr. Tracey with preparing another important affidavit, in which Mr. Tracey attested, in great detail, to his jobs in service and post-service, his post-service pain and other continued symptomatology, the continual care he sought and received for
The Duane Morris team saw the evidence in his record, and listened to Mr. Tracey’s in-service experiences, and knew something needed to be done despite the uphill battle that he faced, which unfortunately is true for many veterans of his generation.
2022 CAVC: CASE STUDY
his disabilities from a young age, and other important testaments to his case – all of which was further corroborated by the other affidavits from the Army veteran, auto mechanic supervisor, and chiropractor. After much due diligence, Duane Morris submitted all of this collected evidence in May 2019.
Mr. Tracey had a third C&P examination on his back and shoulders in October 2020 and brought with him a binder filled with all the collected lay and medical evidence. Notwithstanding, in November 2020, the VA again denied that his shoulder and back disabilities were service connected, relying on this latest C&P examiner opinion who denied that his disabilities were service-connected because of a lack of in-service and post-service medical notations, and whose opinion made no mention of the plethora of testimonial lay and medical evidence prepared by Duane Morris and provided to both the VA and the examiner.
This did not deter Mr. Tracey or the Duane Morris team, who diligently strategized the next steps. The day after the VA’s denial, the team filed a records request with the VA, and a request for an extension of time with the Board, to obtain copies of the C&P examinations and a private medical opinion. Nevertheless, on February 4, 2021, the Board inadvertently issued a decision denying all the claims. This was only 34 days after the Board had mailed the “90-day letter,” which is a notification of Mr. Tracey’s right to submit new evidence in his remanded appeal within 90 days of the date of the letter.
Yet again, Mr. Tracey and the team were not deterred. TVC stepped in and Mr. Tracey’s case benefited from TVC’s grant of $2,000 in February 2021 for the full cost of a private medical opinion from an orthopedic specialist. This thorough and detailed medical opinion was crucial to his case. The March
2021 orthopedic specialist’s opinion concluded that Mr. Tracey’s back and shoulder disabilities were caused by his service as an artilleryman. This opinion was the final piece of supporting evidence needed to get Mr. Tracey over the numerous hurdles the VA constructed to deny his claims.
On May 20, 2021, the Duane Morris team filed a motion for partial reconsideration of the Board’s February 4, 2021, decision on due process grounds. The Board granted the reconsideration request in August 2021 vacating the entirety of the February 4, 2021, decision. FINALLY, after being allowed to submit new evidence, Mr. Tracey was granted a new C&P exam and went in armed not only with his previous binder of evidence, but with his private orthopedic specialist opinion, obtained through TVC’s grant.
On April 4, 2022, after his own decades long fight and six long years of battling by TVC and the Duane Morris team, the VA issued a Rating Decision that finally granted Mr. Tracey service connection for his back and bilateral shoulder disability claims. Perseverance, dedication, and tenacity won this war for Mr. Tracey.
Mr. Tracey is paying it forward through his volunteer work with his local VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars). He is tremendously grateful for the support and efforts of Duane Morris and TVC after many years of fighting and receiving denials, but never giving up on what he deserved.
2022 DU CASE STUDY:
TVC ASSISTS U.S. MARINE CORPS
VETERAN UPGRADE HER DISCHARGE AFTER TUMULTUOUS EXPERIENCES DURING SERVICE
Sharon Gordon-John is originally from Rochester NY. She was a star track athlete who graduated in the top 10% of her senior class. At the age of sixteen, she first visited a recruiter to learn about the Marine Corps. She was told to return when she turned eighteen. After graduation, she returned to the recruiter and enlisted on February 4, 1987. Reporting to Parris Island, South Carolina for boot camp, she did well despite becoming ill and undergoing surgery. She was given the option to leave the Marine Corps, but she chose to return and joined another platoon once she recovered from her surgery.
She was excited to start her career as a Marine and had every intention of being a “lifer.” Her military career was off to a good start; however, her subsequent experiences swiftly derailed her plans and impacted her life for years to come. Upon completion of Boot Camp, Ms. Gordon-Johns reported for duty at Marine Corps Air Station, Cherry Point, N.C. Soon after her arrival, she was sexually propositioned by her immediate supervisor, a Sergeant. She refused his advances and wanted to report him. She was told that no one would believe her when it was “his word against hers” and that no one would believe a newly enlisted African American female. The sexual harassment continued.
In December of 1987, three Marines invited her to join them for a drink. The drink was laced with a drug, and she woke up in a strange room unable to fight off her assailants. Sharon sought medical treatment for physical injuries after her rape. The incident impacted on her ability to perform her duties, and she began suffering from incapacitating migraines. She was charged with minor misconduct and infractions. Her punishments included demotion and extra duties. She continued to suffer from migraines and developed posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) due to her military sexual trauma (MST). She was told she would receive a medical discharge, but she was given an Other Than Honorable discharge with the lowest reenlistment code of RE-4. This meant that instead of receiving veteran’s preference in future employment, she could be barred from holding any government position. For the next 15 years, she struggled with her trauma, drank to excess, and was homeless for a time. She was unable to care for her daughter. She went into treatment programs multiple times but was unable to live her life due to her trauma and shame. In
2015, she met and married a caring partner. She was in a stable environment for the first time in years, and with her husband’s support, in the fall of 2015 she submitted a claim for VA service-connected disability compensation. On June 20, 2016, the VA found that posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and several knee disabilities were related to her service. The VA found her overall combined disability rating to be 80%.
Even after this vindication, Sharon was still plagued by the trauma and injustice of the events leading to her Other Than Honorable discharge. In August of 2019, she came to TVC (The Veterans Consortium) for assistance and was assigned volunteer attorney Danielle Muenzfeld from the law firm of Greenberg Traurig. Ms. Muenzfeld argued that the Sharon’s mental health and multiple experiences of military sexual trauma mitigated her misconduct and that there was evidence in the record to confirm an assault had occurred prior to the change in behavior.
The Board, applying liberal consideration and relying on a favorable advisory opinion (AO), determined there was sufficient evidence to support a finding that Sharon suffered from PTSD related to MST while in service. In its deliberations, the Board noted her credible personal statement. The Board also noted several places in her service medical record that corroborated her story. The Board further found that Sharon’s misconduct occurred after the sexual harassment and MST had occurred, and determined there was sufficient evidence to find a nexus between the assaults and the misconduct. Furthermore, in the interests of justice and considering the potential for future negative implications, the Board also determined Sharon’s narrative reason for separation, separation authority, and separation code should be changed to “Secretarial Authority,” and her reentry code should be changed to “RE-lA.”
“I couldn’t have what I have now without your (TVC’s) help and support. This is a redemption which was a long time coming. I’ve been at the wayside for so long I had almost forgotten who I was. I’m a woman first and foremost and a Marine always and forever. Through all the pain I went through I never regretted the decision to join. I thank you for the hard work and believing in me and making it possible for me to once again, lift my head up high.” Sharon Gordon, TVC Client.
2022 TVC National Volunteer Corps Honor Roll
CORPORATE PRO BONO
Arete Incident Response
Larry Wescott
Entergey Services, LLC
Michael Griffen
Georgia Pacific
Christopher Graham
Lockheed Martin Corporation
Jeffrey Divney
Maryanne Lavan
Marriot
Amy Barry
Dave Bell
Danielle Cousineau
Miriam Cross
Asad Imam
Aliza Johnson
Nina Osserian
Christa Peter
Robin Solomon
Linda Weidman
Ring Central
Anne Bowling
Jules Coffman
Jessica Crowther
Nikki Olson
Paola Zeni
Salesforce
Phil Carter
Brent Cotton
Cheryl McGowan
Scott McMahon
Steve Park
Kay Patterson
Brian Wilbourn
Skyward, A Verizon Company
David Lincoln
Smartsheet
Bailey Larsen
Teva Pharmaceuticals USA, Inc.
Rivka Jungreis
Laurence Rickles
Evelyn Sarachman
Without the commitment of individual attorneys, law firms, corporate legal teams and academic programs, The Veterans Consortium Pro Bono Program would be hard-pressed to carry out our mission to serve veterans, their families, caregivers and survivors.
We thank them here for devoting their time, expertise and resources to this worthy cause.
Walmart Inc.
Samantha Flanzer
Jeffrey King
GOVERNMENT PRO BONO
Department of Human Services
James Reistrup
Department of the Interior
Angela G. Moore
Department of Justice
Manu Balachandran
Vincent Shuler
Kelly H. Winship
Shane A. Young
Department of U.S. Navy
Marc Smith
Department of Treasury
Jonathan Fink
Quinn N Nguyen
Department of Veterans Affairs
Linh Adams
Matt Allen
Caren Lee
Lauren Taub
Barry Thomas
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
Kenneth Vedaa
Theodore White-Meridian
Health and Human Services
Jeanette G. Yang
Merit of System Protection Board
Judge Brian Bohlen
Securities and Exchange Commission
Lindsay Topolosky
U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
Maryam Ipakchi
LAW FIRM PRO BONO
Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld
Stacey Eisenstein
Michael Kahn
Jane Mahan
Sina Safvati
Clayton Steele
Thomas Yang
Allen & Overy LLP
Mena Gaballah
John Griffith
Taylor West
Alston & Bird
Nicholas F. Chandler
Jenny Hergenrother
Alexis Higgs
Jason Keith
Arnold & Porter
David Menichetti
Thomas Stoever
Attig|Curran|Steel, PLLC
Alexandra Curran
Chris Attig
Haley Smith
Baker Botts LLP
Ronald Baumgarten
BakerHostetler
Joseph Devine
Rachel Monaghan
Tung Nguyen
Black and Jones
Attorney at Law
Stephanie Seibold
Blank Rome LLP
David Bodner
Robyn Burrows
Alan Feigenbaum
Stephanie Holden
Buckley LLP
John Moynihan
Carlton Fields, P.A.
John Stull
Ryan Yant
Chisholm, Chisholm & Kilpatrick Ltd
Brittani Howell
Zachary Stolz
2022 TVC National Volunteer Corps Honor Roll
Greenberg Traurig LLP
Cooley LLP
Samuel Whitt
Dechert LLP
Thomas Munno
Desmarais LLP
Deborah Mariottini
Justin Wilcox
Dorsey & Whitney LLP
Ben Kappelman
Joseph Lynyak, III
David Racine
Duane Morris LLP
Sean Burke
Kristina Gill
Zachary Gross
Jonathan Helwink
James A. Lewis
Daniel McLane
Rolando Sanchez
Terry Wang
Eckert Seamans Cherin & Mellott LLC
Edward Noonan
Eversheds Sutherland
Richard Nolan
Fish & Richardson
Josh Carrigan
Thomas Halkowski
John Thuermer
Foley & Lardner LLP
Quinn D’Isa
Marcella Jayne
David Levintow
Elizabeth Nevle
Rey Rodriguez
Jason Sharp
Foster & Garvet PC
Brooke Bagnall
Ben Hodges
Yeli Zhou
Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP
Alex Miller
James McCullough
Paul Schoenhard
Goodman Allen Donnelly
Krystle Waldron
Rachel Abanonu
Aaron Levin
Timothy McLister
Groom Law Group
Larry Bloncho
Joanne Jacobson
Jeffrey Kroh
Matthew Lanahan
Ross McSweeney
Brigen Winters
Grubaugh Law
Joshua Grubagh
Hach & Rose LLP
John Blyth
Hankey Law Office
Melissa Davidson
Hogan Lovells
Michael Dolman
Jenner & Block LLP
Hanna Conger
Keisha Stanford
Lauren Watson
Johns Law Office
Jason Johns
Just Law
Michael Just
K&L Gates LLP
Travis Gery
Amy Groff
K.E. Love
Ben Mayer
David Raphael
Matthew Perez
Kallio Law Firm, LLC
Eric Kallio
Klaerner Law
Melissa Klaerner
Latham & Watkins
Ann Marie Wahls
Law Office of Alex T. Shapiro
Alex Shapiro
Law Office of Anne Keith Walton
Anne Keith Walton
Law Office of David A. Keller
David Keller
Law Office of Gustavo Mayen
Gustavo Mayen
Law Office of Lonnie S. Keene
Lonnie Keene
Law Office of Marie H. Kramer
Marie Kramer
Law Office of Mark R. Myers LLC
Mark Myers
Law Office of Michael Sepanik
Michael Sepanik
Law Office of Nicholas L. Phinney
Nicholas Phinney
Law Office of Rebecca L. Bartlett
Rebecca Bartlett
Law Office of Rosa M. Sobhraj
Rosa Sobhraj
Law Office of Sean Kendall
Megan Kondrachuk
Law Offices of Joel E. Fenton PLC
Joel Fenton
Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard & Smith LLP
Hassan Naderzadeh
Lynch Dallas, PC
Eric Martin
Manne Law Office
Jason Manne
McCarter & English LLP
Alexis Marie Derkasch
Emily Gianquinto
Gregory Hall
Gregory Mascitti
Phillip Pavlick
Adam Swanson
McDermott Will & Emery LLP
David Tobin
Morrison & Foerster
Lydia Davenport
Ed Froelich
Brian Nash
Regan Rundio
2022 TVC National Volunteer Corps Honor Roll
Mark Whitaker
Neville Peterson LLP
John Detzner
ODU Law Firm LLC
Layi Oduyingbo
Orrick Herrington & Sutcliffe
Jack Gonzalez
Hayden Irwin
Dahl Thompson
Parmele Law Firm
James Pavisian
Kelsey Young
Patterson & Sheridan LLP
Edgar Gonzalez
Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP
Joseph Bial
William Marks
Pokalsky Wilczynski Brozek LLP
Ann Poklasky
Porco Law
Christopher Porco
Quarles & Brady LLP
Lauren Bolcar
Jianfei Chen
Frank DeGuire
Christopher Gay
Peter Gonzales
Thomas McDonnell
Monica Wright
Ropes & Gray LLP
Samuel Brenner
Matt Rizzolo
Kathryn Thornton
Saidel Law, LLC
Susan Saidel
Shook, Hardy & Bacon LLP
Henry Adams
Hunter Ahern
Jennifer Artman
Cecilia Bidwell
Valerie Blevins
Ricky Brown
Aimee Canty
Amy Crouch
Rachel Forman
Patrick Gregory
Joseph Iemma
Naoki Kaneko
Gabrielle Kelerchian
Alec Larsen
Mat Larsen
Melissa Madsen
Chelsea Mannery
Jorge Maranto
Taylor Markway
Mark Moedritzer
Colm Moran
Lynn Murray
Peter O’Neill
Sofia Perla
Daniel Rohner
Tyler Schwettman
Michelle Sousley
Andrea Steele
Kerry Stufflebean
Patrick Sullivan
Cesar Udave
Matt Vanis
William Vita
Ryan Williams
Paul Williams
Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP
Christpher Coulson
Stribling Law Firm, PLLC
Lee K. Stribling
Suarez Law Firm
Diego Pastana
Swords to Plowshares
Amy Rose
Tabak Law LLC
Hannah Zacharias
The Law Office of Augusta Siribuo, LLC
Augusta Siribuo
Unruh Law
Judy Donegan
Valor Firm
Matthew Grieg
Vetus Legal LLC
David Lowenstein
Weinstein Power and Law, LLC
Leonard Weinstein
Wells Law Group
Michael Wells
West & Dunn
Shana Dunn
Jonathan Heiden
Anthony Sparks
Travis West
White & Case
Michael Goldstein
Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati
Jonathan Davey
John Lynch
Alexandra Moffitt
Jennifer Sawicki
Mallory Solomon
Wolf, Greenfield & Sacks, P.C.
Emma Frank
Daniel Young
Woodall & Pflepsen, P.C.
Keith Pflepsen
Wozniak Law
Joshua Wozniak
Xcel Law Firm
Ivory Narcisse
SOLO PRACTITIONERS
Jorge Amieva
Margaret Anthony
Kim Balkcom
Abeba Carlan
Colin Carriere
Kevin Clark
Anthony Czar
Valerie Daye
Robert Dwyer
David Flanagan
Wanda Ghant
Gina Holness
Justin Huber
Gertrude Jewell
Matthew Landry
Ellen Lau
Leslie Machado
Aaron Moshiashwilli
Jeffrey C. Price
Douglas Rosinski
Mary Royar
Gordon Sargent
Sandra Sawyer
Yahya Shakir
Dana Weiner
Richard Young
2022 TVC National Volunteer Corps Honor Roll
LAW SCHOOL PRO BONO
American University
Patrick Lee
Patrick Riley
Ava Maria School of Law Veterans and Servicemembers Law Clinic
Atony Kolenc
Concord Law School at Purdue University Global
Jonathan Scott
Georgetown University
Laurie Aaron
Brittany Bolick
Alexa Colangelo
Erin Fullerton
Kavi Huded
Lyra Hanyu Jiang
Morgan Jordon
Jeremy Lin
Daniel Matthews
Claire Maxa
Camila Ramirez
Lettie Rose
Jessica Wherry
Lauren White
Lynn Zhang
George Washington University Law
Ruth Afiesimama
Sydney Blitman
Maureen Chong
Krissy Cralle
Maxie Lawton
Sarah Markallo
Max Matheu
Maria Miranda
Isabella Schwarze
NYU Veterans Legal Services
Will Goncher
Robert Solmssen
Seton Hall University School of Law
Katherine Moo
Stetson University College of Law
Stacey-Rae Simcox
University of Arkansas at Little Rock, William H. Bowen School of Law
Rebecca Feldman
University of Baltimore School of Law
Hugh McClean
University of Baltimore School of Law –
Bob Parsons Veterans Advocacy Clinic
Ashlyn Anderson-Keelin
University of Florida Levin School of Law
Judy Clausen
University of San Diego Veterans Legal Clinic
Alison Brown
PUBLIC SECTOR PRO BONO
Advocate
Falen LaPonzina
Cameron Firm, PC
Jonathan Brenner
Mary Brown-Edokpayi
Megan Ellis
Jacqueline McCormack
Sherri Stone
Carpenter Chartered
Kenneth Carpenter
Katy Clemens
John Niles
Centonzio Law, PLLC
Javier Centonzio
Victoria Tamayo
National Veterans Benefits Attorney
Brandon Steele
NMW Veteran Advocates
Nique Williams
Texas Department of Health & Human Services
Janet Totter
The Veterans Compensation & Pension Law Firm, PLLC
Brennae Brooks
The Veterans Consortium
Ana Maria Bondoc
Keith Krom Chesley Roberts
Courtney L. Smith
Veterans Law Office of Amy B. Kretkowski, PLC
Amy Kretkowski
Veterans Rights Law Group
Heather Dent
Lorenzo DiSalvo
Julia Gieseking
Chad MacIsaac
VetLaw
Brendan Garcia
Vietnam Veterans of America
Felicia Mullaney
Washington State Court of Appeals
Cameron Sheldon
TVC Legal Scholars Program
To help fulfill our mission to encourage and facilitate pro bono representation by law school clinical and other appropriate programs, we operate The Veterans Consortium Legal Scholars Program. This effort introduces law students to the Federal Veterans Pro Bono Program and exposes them to careers serving veterans and their loved ones in public interest law.
David Isbell Summer Internship
The David Isbell Summer Internship provides law students with a ten-week opportunity to work in appellate law with the laws of veterans benefits and is named for our founding Executive Board
Chairman David B. Isbell, Esq.
The Jeffrey Stonerock Externship Project
The Jeffrey Stonerock Externship Project is a partnership with law schools to provide law students academic credit and real-world experience in the veterans law and appellate practice areas. The project is named for Jeffrey A. Stonerock, Esq., a former chairman of TVC’s Executive Board.
David Kendall
University of North Carolina School of Law J.D. Candidate 2024
Yesenia Dejesus
The George Washington University Law School J.D. Candidate 2024
TVC’s Annual Memorial Day Week of Service Trainings
In honor of Memorial Day, TVC held our annual Week of Service (WOS) training.
Day one featured “Appellate Advocacy before the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims.” Fifty-eight attendees learned about practice before the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims. Opening remarks were provided by Judge Joseph L. Toth, U.S. CAVC. The presenters for the training were Greg Block (Clerk of the U.S. CAVC), Courtney L. Smith (Sr. Director, CAVC Practice) and Samantha Higgs (Deputy Director).
The second day of the WOS training was hosted by Christie Bhageloe, the Discharge Upgrade Program Director. Eighty-four attendees took a deep look into the discharge upgrade process and learned how to help servicemembers who have a less than honorable discharges due to mental health issues, as well as survivors of military sexual trauma (MST) who have a general discharge or lower filing for an upgrade. It also looked at how to assist LGTBQ+ veterans correct injustices on their discharge characterizations and military records.
TVC Holds Pro Bono Legal Clinics During DC Pro Bono Week 2022
On Friday, October 28th, The Veterans Consortium hosted two legal advice and referral clinics in partnership with DC Pro Bono Week. This included our Legal Advice & Referral Clinic for all veterans and our Women Veterans Legal Clinic.
DC Pro Bono Week celebrates pro bono attorneys who make a difference in our community and challenges all lawyers to renew their commitment to provide critically needed help for our veterans. Thank you to the following volunteer attorneys and students who participated!
SERVING THOSE WHO SERVED: TVC Teams with Quarles & Brady to Hold Annual Veterans Day Training
In honor of Veterans Day 2022, TVC partnered with Quarles & Brady LLP to provide a hybrid training opportunity for attorneys to learn how to advocate for veterans in need before the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims. The training was hosted in person at Quarles & Brady’s Washington, DC office and livestreamed to over 170 new volunteers nationwide. Opening remarks were provided by Dawn Caldart and Jon Labukas of Quarles. The Honorable Judge Michael P. Allen and Clerk of the Court, Gregory O. Block, both gave remarks and spoke in depth about the work of the Court as well as the work of TVC before the Court. The presenters for the training were our Sr. Director of CAVC Practice, Courtney L. Smith, and Deputy Director of Case Evaluation and Litigation, Samantha Higgs.
A special thank you to Dawn Caldart, Kelly Williams, Michael Levey, and Thomas McDonnell for hosting this successful training.
Women’s Clinic Volunteers
Attorneys
Benita Talati (Motley Rice LLC)
Kat McGee (Duane Morris)
Rebeca Bazan (Duane Morris)
Nancy O’Donnell (VA OGC)
Lettie Rose (Georgetown)
Jessica Tsibidis-Goldberg (Georgetown)
Brianna Rodriguez (GW)
General Clinic Volunteers Students
Attorneys
Kelly Winship (DOJ)
Alison Finneran (Goodwin Law)
James Lewis (Duane Morris)
James Reistrup (DHS/FEMA)
Tuong Pham (Eversheds Sutherland)
Rolando Sanchez (Duane Morris)
Students
Maxie Lawton (GW)
Lettie Rose (Georgetown)
Alan Miranda (GW)
Elizabeth Mejia Castro (GW)
Brittany Bolick (Georgetown)
Laurie Aaron (Georgetown)
2022 STAFF
Leila Hashemi Outreach Specialist
Samantha Higgs, Esq. Deputy Director, Case Evaluation & Litigation, CAVC Practice
Stephen Jordon Executive Director
Griffin Hatchell Volunteer Outreach & Education Coordinator, CAVC Practice
Thomas Hunter Office Operations Coordinator
Peter Gregory Volunteer Outreach & Education Coordinator, CAVC Practice
Mary Benton, J.D. Client & Veterans Law Specialist, CAVC Practice
Christie Bhageloe, Esq. Director, Discharge Upgrade Program
Ana Maria Bondoc, Esq. Staff Attorney, Discharge Upgrade Program
Jim Carlsen, Esq. Director, Business Operations
Giovanna Copat, J.D. Paralegal, Client Services, CAVC Practice
Claudia Daley Director, Communications & Development
Gina D’Amico, Esq. Staff Attorney, CAVC Practice
Nicqelle Godfrey, Esq. Equal Justice Works Fellow, Sponsored by Covington & Burling LLP and Northrop Grumman
Equal Justice Works Fellow Sponsored by
Cate Jackson Communications & Outreach Manager
Cathy Klingler Docket Administrator
Keith Krom, Esq. Staff Attorney, CAVC Practice
Samanta Martinez-Villarreal, Esq. Staff Attorney, Discharge Upgrade Program
Emma Palley Client Services Specialist, CAVC Practice
Sandy Peterson Director, Client Services, CAVC Practice
Chesley Roberts, Esq.
Lockheed Martin Corporation
Morgan Robinson Client Services Specialist, CAVC Practice
Shayal Rowe Client Intake Specialist, Discharge Upgrade Program
Kate Sinclair Volunteer Outreach & Education Coordinator, CAVC Practice
Courtney Smith, Esq. Director, CAVC Practice
Nicholas Sweitzer Client Services Specialist, CAVC Practice
Dee Wallace Discharge Upgrade Program Specialist
Leonce Wilson Veterans Law Specialist
FINANCIALS
STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL POSITION (audited) December 31, 2022
STATEMENT OF ACTIVITIES
ended December 31 ,
REVENUE
Remembering Their Sacrifice
We thank our veterans for their service to our country, and we thank the volunteers who tirelessly support them.
THEY FOUGHT FOR US NOW WE FIGHT FOR THEM
Please consider a donation today to help us continue our mission.
Give Today
Your gift helps ensure veterans and their loved ones receive the care, benefits, and compensation they earned by serving our country.
Direct Mail
Checks made payable to The Veterans Consortium can be mailed to 2101 L Street NW, Suite 225, Washington, DC 20037
CFC# Donation
We participate in donations through the Combined Federal Campaign program. We appreciate your considering us. CFC#: 95004
All donations are tax-deductible to the full extent of the law. If you would like to make a donation in memory of a veteran that has served our Country, or a volunteer attorney that has given their time to serve veterans, please contact outreach@vetsprobono.org.
@vetsprobono #theyfoughtforus
The Veterans Consortium Pro Bono Program (TVC) is a leading national 501(c) (3) charity providing free legal services and legal assistance programs in federal venues for veterans in need. TVC operates a global federal Veterans Pro Bono Program on behalf of the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims to represent veterans unjustly denied benefits or compensation earned from military service. TVC’s Discharge Upgrade Program is sponsored by the DAV Charitable Service Trust and represents veterans before military Discharge Review Boards and Boards of Correction for Military Records, in cases related to Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), Military Sexual Trauma (MST), anti LGBTQ+ policies and/or other mitigating factors.
@vetsprobono #theyfoughtforus
The Veterans Consortium 2101 L St NW, Suite 225 Washington, DC 20037
www.vetsprobono.org