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The Veterans Legal Support Center & Clinic was created in September 2006 by three law students at The John Marshall Law School in Chicago, Illinois: 1st Lt. Nick Henry, who served two tours in Iraq, Ryan Coward, a 1st Lt. committed to the Army JAG Corps, and Michael Barnicle who is committed to the Army JAG corps as well. These Students recognized veterans, both in Illinois and across the nation, were having trouble navigating the complexities of the Veterans Benefits Administration claims process.
In the fall of 2006, then Student Bar Association President Michael Abramson approached the charter members of the Military Law Society, Henry, Coward, and Barnicle, with an ABA Law Student Division Resolution. This resolution encouraged more clinical programs at ABA Law Schools focused on legal assistance to active military personnel. After initial research by Henry, Coward, and Barnicle, these students determinied that a clinical program's resources would best directed towards serving our nations veterans, as active duty military personnel can draw upon the resources of the JAG corps.
Over the course of the 2006-2007 academic year, these three students collaborated to establish a clinical model which would establish a veterans legal clinic at John Marshall and also serve as a model for like clinics across the nation. Having created a blueprint for the organization and operation of the clinic, the students enlisted the assistance of John Marshall Alumni Brian Clauss and Professor Joseph Butler. Together Mr. Clauss and Professor Butler helped to continue the development and planning for the clinic.
In the spring of 2007, the John Marshall faculty and Board of Trustees approved the establishment of the Veterans Legal Support Center & Clinic at The John Marshall Law School. The VLSC would serve as a clinical training experience for law students while at the same time serving the legal needs of veterans pursuing VA claims. Shortly after the VLSC was established by the John Marshall Board of Trustees, the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs approved a $100,000 grant to fund the VLSC during its first year of operation.
In January of 2008, the VLSC officially opened its doors to veterans around the Chicagoland area. In addition to representing veterans, the VLSC continually trains both students and attorneys through Continuing Legal Education programs and Veteran Advocacy training throughout the State of Illinois. Also in January of 2008, The John Marshall Law School offered for the first time, a course in Veteran's Advocacy.
Nicholas Henry - Student Co-Founder
Nicholas Henry is one of the three
students behind the initiative to launch the Veterans Legal Support
Center & Clinic at The John Marshall Law School. Mr. Henry
recognized that veterans, both in Illinois and across the nation, were
having trouble navigating the labyrinth of the Veterans Administration
claims process.
Mr. Henry is a 1st Lieutenant
in the Marine Corps and has deployed twice to Iraq with his Marine
Corps reserve MP unit out of Dayton, Ohio. While deployed, Mr. Henry
served as a fire team leader, a squad leader, a vehicle commander, and
a convoy commander. During MP Co C's time in Iraq, Mr. Henry's platoon
was responsible for combat patrols and the training of the newly formed
Iraqi Security Forces in the Anbar Province. Mr. Henry and his platoon
were responsible for over 1,000 trained Iraqi National Guard and Police
Officers. He was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal
for his role in developing the training used during the Company's
program.
While earning his Juris Doctor from The John Marshall Law School,
Mr. Henry served as the commanding officer of the USMC reserve unit.
In the spring of 2009, Mr. Henry completed his legal studies.
Michael Barnicle - Student Co-Founder
Michael Barnicle is one of the three
students that founded and designed the Veterans Legal Support Center
& Clinic in September 2006. Mr. Barnicle along with the other two
students recognized veterans, both in Illinois and across the nation,
were having trouble navigating the complexities of the Veterans
Benefits Administration claims process. Mr. Barnicle's initial
interest in veteran advocacy arose from having to walk in front of the
Jesse Brown VA Hospital everyday while clerking for the Cook County
State's Attorney's Office.
Mr. Barnicle graduated from John Marshall
in the Spring of 2008. During his time at the VLSC, Mr. Barnicle
assisted with the academic research that supports the VLSC staff,
students and Pro Bono Network as well as initiated new projects for the
VLSC to address. Mr. Barnicle also assisted with drafting and
coordinating CLE publications, national conferences and maintaining
general awareness of veterans' issues and how they impact the clinic
and broader legal community
While in law school, Mr. Barnicle clerked
at the federal, state and local levels. Although Mr. Barnicle did not
come to law school with a military background, he began his legal
career as a U.S. Army Staff Judge Advocate in February of 2009 assigned
with the XVIII Airborne Corps out of Fort Bragg. He is currently
attending the Basic Officer Leadership Course at Fort Benning.
Ryan Coward - Student Co-Founder
Ryan Coward is one of the three students
behind the initiative to start the Veterans Legal Support Center &
Clinic at The John Marshall Law School in September 2006. Mr. Coward
is an alumnus of The John Marshall Law School who recognized that
veterans, both in Illinois and across the nation, were having trouble
obtaining the benefits to which they were entitled.
After graduating from The John Marshall
Law School Mr. Coward served as the interim-director of the of the
clinic. During this time, he helped establish the foundation for the
pro-bono network of attorneys dedicated to assisting veterans in
obtaining their VA benefits.
Mr. Coward is currently a Captain in the United States Army JAG
Corps. In May 2008, he graduated from The Army Judge Advocate General
Legal Center and School's 175th Officer Basic Course. Captain
Ryan Coward is currently serving as a Judge Advocate in the 2nd
Infantry Division, Korea.
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