Veterans Law Clinic Group Photo

WVU Law Clinics Serve Homeless Veterans at 2016 Stand Down

On September 29, 2016, the WVU Law Clinics provided legal services to homeless and unemployed veterans at the 2016 Veterans Stand Down. Stand Downs are typically one- to three-day events providing supplies and services to homeless Veterans, such as food, shelter, clothing, health screenings and VA Social Security benefits counseling. Veterans can also receive referrals to other assistance such as health care, housing solutions, employment, substance use treatment and mental health counseling. They are collaborative events, coordinated between local VA Medical Centers, other government agencies and community-based homeless service providers. This year’s Stand Down, which was sponsored by the Clarksburg VA Medical Center, was held at the Morgantown National Guard Armory.

Students from the Veterans Advocacy, General Practice, Child and Family Advocacy and WV Innocence Project gathered at the Armory to provide legal outreach services to local homeless veterans throughout the Stand Down. “I am proud that so many WVU Law clinical students—many of whom are not enrolled in the Veterans Advocacy Clinic—volunteered at the Stand Down and came out to provide support and services to our veteran neighbors most in need,” said Associate Professor Jennifer Oliva, an Army veteran who Directs the Veterans Advocacy Clinic. In the military, a “Stand Down” afforded battle-weary soldiers the opportunity to renew their spirit, health and overall sense of well-being. Today’s “Stand Downs” afford the same opportunity to our homeless veterans – an often invisible population exceeding 100,000 former servicemembers.

WVU VETERANS ADVOCACY CLINIC RECEIVES $10,000 NATIONAL GRANT AWARD

WVU Veterans Advocacy Clinic Receives $10,000 National Grant Award

On September 29, 2016, the Washington, DC-based Veterans Consortium Pro Bono Program awarded the WVU Veterans Advocacy Clinic (VAC) a grant in the amount of $10,000 to advocate on behalf of veterans in need of comprehensive legal services throughout the state of West Virginia. Commander David H. Myers presented the grant award to the VAC at the Louis A. Johnson VA Medical Center’s 2016 Veterans Stand Down. Commander Myers, a Navy Veteran and former Navy judge advocate, currently serves as the Consortium’s Director of Case Evaluation and Placement.

Demonstrating its commitment to veterans across the state, the West Virginia College of Law has expanded its Veterans Assistance Project from a practice area within the General Clinic to a stand-alone Veterans Advocacy Clinic (VAC). The VAC is staffed with eight student attorneys and directed by Associate Professor Jennifer Oliva, a graduate of the United States Military Academy and an Army veteran. Under Professor Oliva’s leadership, the VAC has develop a partnership with the Veterans Consortium in which the clinic students represent veterans before the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (CAVC) and the Veterans Consortium provides the clinic with client referrals, training, mentoring support and grant opportunities.

Keynote Speaker Robert Booth Goodwin

WVU College of Law Hosts Veterans Advocacy Boot Camp

On August 16, 2016, the WVU School of Law hosted a free, MCLE-approved Veterans Advocacy Bootcamp for our Veterans Advocacy Clinic students, West Virginia lawyers, and veteran’s legal advocates. The Bootcamp, which welcomed nearly 100 attendees throughout the program, was co-sponsored by the Washington, DC-based Veterans Consortium Pro Bono Program and the State Bar’s Veterans and Military Affairs Committee. Distinguished Bootcamp guest speakers and trainers included:

The Bootcamp’s agenda, training materials and guest speaker biographies can be viewed at: http://law.wvu.edu/veterans-advocacy-boot-camp. To view Bootcamp pictures, please click on the link below.