As one of the first such clinics in the country, The John Marshall Legal Support Center & Clinic is dedicated solely to addressing the legal needs of American veterans seeking their benefits from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
Hundreds of thousands of veterans have returned home from the battlefield with serious and life-altering injuries. However, many of these wounded warriors are not receiving the full benefits to which they are entitled. Many veterans, both young and old, are not receiving the full benefits to which they are entitled. Many veterans, both young and old, lack the necessary information and understanding to navigate the complexities of the VA claims and appeals process.
Several organizations and published studies have highlighted veterans' lack of access to competent legal representation. This inability to acquire legal help has egregious consequences: Veterans are not receiving the legal aid that often makes the difference in whether or not they will receive their full benefits in an efficient manner.
The VLSC assists veterans filing VA benefit claims and provides representation for veterans during the appeals process. The clinic refers qualified veterans to private legal counsel through our statewide network of Pro Bono attorneys. These attorneys are dedicated individuals who have donated their time to assisting veterans with their claims.
Put simply, the Veterans Legal Support Center & Clinic is dedicated to serving the men and women who have served our nation.
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New!
Check out the VLSC Blog
http://blogs.jmls.edu/Veterans/default.aspx
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New! Military Service and the Law 2009 Edition, now available for purchase online.
IICLE Website
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On March 13, 2009, two representatives of the Veterans Legal Support Center & Clinic were in Washington to support the nomination of L. Tammy Duckworth to serve as assistant secretary of Veterans Affairs for Public and Intergovernmental Affairs before the U.S. Senate's Veterans Affairs Committee.
Joseph Butler and Brian Clauss,as well as the VLSC's efforts, were recognized by Duckworth when she introduced them as close friends with whom she worked as former director of the Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs in establishing the VLSC.
To view the video, visit
Duckworth begins her introductions at the 94:00 mark.
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