On November 7, the Veterans Legal Assistance Project (VLAP), an ongoing initiative of the student-run Veterans Law Student Association (VLSA), hosted its biannual Veterans Legal Clinic.
More than 20 students and 9 volunteer attorneys came together to provide free legal assistance to 34 veterans. The clinic, which is traditionally held in-person, was held virtually this year. This allowed for students, attorneys, and clients to meet at additional times beyond the traditional one-day clinic schedule.
“Despite the tribulations of the pandemic, myself, my co-president Keating Gribbon and the entire VLSA team put our heads together and discovered a way to host our biannual clinics. We did so virtually, which ultimately opened up our project to veterans who do not have access to transportation, who may be disabled and who reside outside of the immediate area,” says Kayla Knight, co-president of VLSA. “Alongside our organization’s ability to continue to come together and help our veterans, even during a distancing pandemic, overall, VLAP has been an invaluable learning opportunity in that I have been able to sit-in on consultations and observe attorneys in various practice areas provide veterans with legal advice. It has been very rewarding observing the attorneys maneuver with sensibility when assisting our heroes with complicated and oftentimes, emotional legal issues.”
Since its creation, the clinic has given students an immersive experience allowing them to observe consultations with clients, assist veterans with filling out forms, and much more. To date, VLAP has provided more than 400 military veterans with free legal services.
“The VLAP clinic has provided me with a wide range of learning experiences, both legal and not. On the legal side we have the opportunity to interact with attorneys and clients, observe and learn about various legal issues and fields, and ultimately think and act like a lawyer,” says Keating Gribbon, co-president of VLSA. “On the other side, through this organization we get the chance to engage with other students, veterans, and attorneys on a personal level. There are so many stories and backgrounds coming together for a great purpose, and there is so much to learn from each person involved.”
VLAP was developed in 2013 by law students, including those who served in the military, who wanted to provide military veterans with legal services. For the students participating, it’s all about giving back to those who have served.
“To me, it is the highest honor to serve those who have valiantly served us,” says Kayla. “I believe that it is our duty as Americans to provide that same support to those who have heard the call of duty, selflessly responded, and fought to preserve our rights and freedoms. With respect, honor and gratitude, being able to assist veterans like my late grandfather, Daniel E. Padro, PFC U.S. Army through VLAP has allowed me to give back to the heroes that have given up, and given us so much.”
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