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Veterans Advocate Training Program
April 25 @ 8:30 am – 2:30 pm EDT
The South Royalton Legal Clinic’s Veterans Legal Assistance Project, with the generous support of the Thomas M. French Veterans Advocacy Fund, is honored to provide this introductory continuing legal education (CLE) program focused on preparing attorneys and appointed representatives to advocate for veterans.
Attorneys and other advocates must be accredited to practice before the VA. Within 12 months of accreditation, attorneys and other advocates are required to complete three hours of qualifying CLE credits. This program is offered to satisfy that requirement. It is also an excellent primer for any attorney considering representing veterans before the VA.
This program—which is eligible for up to four Vermont CLE credits—will provide an introduction to advocating for veterans before the VA, a review of the VA benefits appeals process, and an update on current trends in veterans advocacy. New this year, we are offering an extra session on VA compensation claims that will highlight initiation, review, evidence development, and decisions. This session is highly recommended for any new-to-VA-law practitioner or advocate.
Attorneys and other advocates who become accredited will be listed on a national VA list, and are entitled to represent veterans in their initial claims for VA benefits on a pro bono basis, and on VA benefits appeals for attorney’s fees.
The session is being offered free of charge to attorneys and appointed representatives in exchange for their commitment to assist at least one pro bono VA benefits client in the year following the program.
Please register in advance by clicking here or emailing communications@vermontlaw.edu.
SCHEDULE:
8 a.m. In-Person Registration Opens
8:30 a.m. VA Benefits: Nuts and Bolts
Don Hayes JD’10, South Royalton Legal Clinic, VLGS
9:30 a.m. Working Claims at the RO: Evidence Development and Appeals
Tim Mercer, Esq., The Bluestein Group
10:30 a.m. Break
11 a.m. Obtaining a Character of Service Determination: Review of New Standards
Andrew Thibault JD’22, The Bluestein Group
12 p.m. Remarks from Thomas French
12:10 p.m. Practitioner Q&A
12:30 p.m. Lunch
1 p.m. Beyond the RO: Appellate Process from CAVC to the Supreme Court
David Giza, Esq., Chisholm Chisholm & Kilpatrick LTD
