August 2020 Hello! In This Issue: Save The Date - 2020 TVC Pro Bono Mission Partner Awards Executive Director's Corner Volunteer Inspiring Pro Bono (VIP) - Rene Kathawala, Esq. National Bar Association Training Holland & Knight Cumberland School of Law C-VETS Grant TVC Staff Member Spotlight Notable News
Executive Director's Corner COVID has been an incredible challenge for our organizations and businesses but also a trans-formative opportunity. As a non-profit, we operate as most small businesses in terms of providing a service which we market and brand, conducting outreach and exploring new opportunities to serve our community. For our purposes, this translates to lines of service that support our veterans by training pro bono attorneys, easily accessible pro bono legal clinics,direct pro bono representation, and more. To provide these services, we rely heavily on donated funds. For many of bringing challenged events. This
non-profits, in-person events are the centerpiece in developmental dollars. This sector is extremely at this time without the ability to hold these has been a true game-changer for all of u s.
We have been working hard to produce our signature annual event, virtually. Each year, we recognize our TVC National Volunteer Corps members and law firms that have beeninstrumental as Mission Partners and supporters of the critical legal services that we deliver to our Veterans and their families.
On October 29th we will hold our our 2020 TVC Pro Bono Mission Partner Awards virtually.
Please save the date. This will be a crisp one-hour event with engaging speakers, compelling stories, deserving awards and special recognition. This is an opportunity to support TVC's future. As ambassadors for TVC, I ask that you consider supporting us with a sponsorship as well as broadcasting this Save The Date to your professional networks. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to myself or our Director of Communications and Development, Claudia Daley, with any questions and for more information. We are also looking forward to our upcoming co - sponsored event with Georgetown University Law Center’s Center for National Security & the Law: All Hands on Deck: Veterans Justice Imperative on September 24, 2020. This webinar will examine barriers veterans face in receiving needed benefits and care, with an emphasis on understanding and defining the scope of this national security issue. Experts from across government, academia, and advocacy groups will discuss the issues that lead to a loss of eligibility of benefits and the challenges in correcting these injustices.
In addition, I want to spotlight our Equal Justice Works Fellow, Samantha Farish, who is halfway through her two-year fellowship, sponsored by Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP. Her fellowship is focused on assisting veterans with securing benefits after the CAVC remands their claim to the BVA. On August 21st, Samantha will be a panelist for the National Boot Camp for Clinics Serving Veterans, hosted by the National Law School Veterans Clinic Consortium (NLSVCC). She will be speaking on Service Connection Basics. I take a lot of pride in organizations involved in veteran issues coming to TVC and requesting a staff member to participate in an event as a veteran law thought leader.
Steve Jordon Executive Director
Volunteer Inspiring Pro Bono (VIP)
Rene Kathawala, Esq. Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP TVC Volunteer Inspiring Pro Bono Our TVC Volunteer Inspiring Pro Bono (VIP) has not actually taken a TVC case himself, but as Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe’s firmwide pro bono counsel, Rene Kathawala is responsible for motivating close to two dozen attorneys to take our CAVC training. Our TVC Volunteer training took place in October 2019 in DC and was webcast to Orrick’s offices in New York, Houston, Orange County, Santa Monica, San Francisco and Sacramento. Orrick attorneys had taken a few pro bono cases from TVC in 2016, but it wasn’t until Rene worked with Mike Kail, our Director of Strategic Operations, to formalize our relationship, that the partnership took off. With Rene’s enthusiasm for our program and his leadership and commitment to pro bono service, Orrick became a TVC Core Mission Partner. After the October training, a remarkable 85% of these new volunteers promptly took a case. To date, all outcomes have been successful with three cases pending. As Orrick's firmwide pro bono counsel, Rene is responsible for managing and initiating the firm's pro bono activities, including all administrative and legal aspects. Rene works with other pro bono counsel and legal service nonprofits to increase the quantity and quality of pro bono representation in the firm. He also supervises and works directly on cases in areas such as immigration law, family and matrimonial law, housing law, public benefits law, employment law counseling, impact litigation and nonprofit advice and counseling. “I am inspired by the work of TVC to promote access to justice for low-income veterans, and of my colleagues for taking on and successfully representing so many deserving clients in such a short time period. Our relationship with TVC is a win-win. TVC does a fabulous job screening, referring and mentoring our attorneys, and through this partnership, we are able to expand our impact to positively change the lives of our veteran clients.” Rene Kathawala, Pro Bono Counsel Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe has a firmwide, long-standing commitment to social justice and impact. Nearly 100 percent of their U.S. lawyers contributed at least 20 hours of pro bono service in 2019. Orrick is also strongly committed to supporting veterans and their spouses, and advocates for the veteran community in many ways. Most notably, they sponsor an annual career fair devoted exclusively to veterans, active-duty service members preparing for a transition out of the military, and military spouses. It is the only legal career fair in the United States devoted exclusively to veterans. “As soon as I met Rene, it was clear that TVC had an ally who would be a model for others. His superb academic credentials are matched by a demonstrated commitment to pro bono activities in the form of an active, personal pro bono case load. Moreover, he is just a joy to work with: responsive, energetic, enthusiastic. TVC is so fortunate to have Rene and Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe in its corner.” Mike Kail TVC Director of Strategic Operations
Successful Virtual Volunteer Training with National Bar Association On July 23, TVC hosted a virtual training for many members of the National Bar Association (NBA). Founded in 1925, the National Bar Association is the nation’s largest and oldest network of African American lawyers, judges, educators, and law students. The NBA has 84 chapters around the world and is comprised of more than 60,000 members. In the 1960s, members of the NBA were leaders of the pro bono movement at a time when they could least afford to provide free legal services and before poverty law became profitable. The NBA has always fought to advance the rights of African Americans and people in poverty. TVC’s Director of Volunteer Outreach & Education, Courtney Smith, worked with Louis “Jamie” Boston, chair of the NBA’s Veterans and Military Law Section, to organize this virtual training. "TVC is proud to establish a new, long-lasting relationship with the NBA," says Courtney. We are also excited at the opportunity to have more attorneys of color into our National Volunteer Corps. Thank you to Jamie and the NBA members who attended this training and made a commitment to serve our nation's veterans."
Holland & Knight Virtual Training
On August 6, Holland & Knight LLP hosted a virtual training for firm attorneys. H&K worked with Courtney Smith, TVC's Director of Volunteer Outreach & Education, to organize this training for H&K attorneys across the country. TVC is proud to establish a long-lasting relationship with the Holland & Knight. Thank you to Holland and Knight for hosting this training. Welcome to our TVC National Volunteer Corps!
TVC Law School Grant Program Partners With Cumberland School of Law to Establish C-VETS Clinic Part of The Veterans Consortium’s mission is to encourage and facilitate pro bono representation of veterans by supporting law schools and clinical programs. This month we partnered with Cumberland School of Law and provided them with our trademark TVC “Clinic-in-a-Footlocker ”. The footlocker includes legal resources, virtual training for the clinic’s students and attorneys. TVC also provided a grant for other essential resources. We will also place cases with the clinic for direct representation of veterans at the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (CAVC). Judge John Carroll, who will be the supervising attorneys at the Cumberland Veterans Legal Assistance Clinic (C-VETS), is a former dean of Samford University’s Cumberland School of Law and a U.S. Marine Corps Vietnam veteran. C-VETS was established due to Cumberland’s faculty support and initial grant assistance from TVC and Cumberland alumni, including Stephen B. Moss. C-VETS will begin accepting clients in September 2020.
Cumberland School of Law is nationally recognized for welcoming veterans and has produced many military attorneys over the years. As a veteran, Judge Carroll has long been interested in veterans’ legal issues. A few years ago, he began assisting veterans on cases referred to Cumberland by TVC and in the spring of 2020, Judge Carroll and Professor LaJuana Davis proposed creating a veterans legal assistance clinic at the law school. The Veterans Consortium is happy to partner with them to help make this a reality.
TVC Staff Member Spotlight
DEE WALLACE
Paralegal TVC Discharge Upgrade Program Sponsored by DAV Charitable Service Trust
Since joining The Veterans Consortium in August 2019, Dee Wallace has become an invaluable member of our Discharge Upgrade Program team. She is often the first person that veterans speak to when inquiring about discharge upgrades. Her adept way of assessing the needs of each veteran in a calm and respectful manner defuses situations borne of frustration and despair. An Other Than Honorable Discharge can lead to loss of employment opportunities, loss of entitlement to federal and state veteran’s benefits and loss of honor and dignity. When these veterans call TVC, they are often frustrated and agitated. Many of the veterans that Dee interacts with are struggling with mental health issues and severe traumas. They may be ashamed and often in precarious living situations. Speaking with and supporting these veterans is no easy task, but Dee is amply qualified for this role. Prior to joining TVC, Dee honed her skills as a veteran’s advocate at the Vietnam Veterans of America, where she worked for 10 years. During that time, Dee had many roles that culminated in her final position as a Senior National Service Officer (Accredited) in the Veterans Benefits Program. Her indepth knowledge of disability and benefits and her skill in working directly with veterans has proven vital to our program. “Dee maintains a can-do attitude and provides critical assistance for our nation’s defenders. She assesses need, provides guidance, and sends appropriate resources to veterans. She is the go-to for veterans who reach out to the TVC Discharge Upgrade Program and answers their many questions. Her background, knowledge, and calm demeanor make her invaluable to our team and the veterans she supports. I look forward to continuing to grow the program with her support”. Danica Gonzalves, Program Director of the Discharge Upgrade Program, Sponsored by DAV Charitable Service Trust As a prior Senior VSO, she has brought a depth of knowledge and skill that enhance the services we provide to our veterans in need. On behalf of the entire team, we want to thank Dee for her hard work and terrific attitude.
National Veterans Law Moot Court Competition Seeks Volunteer Judges
Each year, TVC supports the National Veterans Law Moot Court Competition (NVLMCC) as the trophy sponsor and we are proud to do so again. This event is sponsored by the U.S. CAVC Bar Association, U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims and The George Washington University Law School. NVLMCC is seeking volunteer judges. TVC encourages members of its National Volunteer Corps to participate if interested. For more information, please click below. CLICK HERE
TVC Legal Scholars Virtual Volunteers We'd like to extend a special thank you for the following law students who will be assisting us in research and veteran outreach efforts this summer. Harvard Law School Sarah Tansey University of Chicago Law School Kaylee Yocum
TVC Quote of the Month “I believe this is an extremely valuable program for veterans and/or their family members. I have let veterans know about this program in hope that they will not give up on their claims.� TVC Client, Surviving Spouse of U.S. Army Veteran
NOTABLE NEWS Court's Oral Argument Schedule
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You Can Support The Veterans Consortium on Amazon
During this challenging time, many of us are shopping on Amazon for home-schooling supplies, disinfecting products, DIY projects and more. Consider using Amazon Smile, which will automatically donate a portion of your purchase price to The Veterans Consortium.
PASS IT ON The impact of your pro bono service is real and tangible for our veterans. Please share this video with those you think may be interested in volunteering.
Available Pro Bono CAVC Cases ​for our current ​TVC National Volunteer Corps Click below to view our list of Available Pro Bono Cases in need of representation by a volunteer attorney.
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*Note: you must be a current volunteer who has taken our training and has been approved as a member on our website in order to log in and view the available cases.
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