Veterans Day: Volunteer Law Clinic Helps Veterans Navigate Legal Issues Free of Charge
Thursday, November 10th, 2022
The Emory Law Volunteer Clinic for Veterans is working to help navigate legal issues for United States Veterans. Since 2013, the clinic has engaged law students and volunteer attorneys and paralegals to work on veterans claims.
The Clinic assists low-income military veterans and their spouses with wills, discharge upgrades, powers of attorney, healthcare directives and of course, disability benefits claims. The Clinic is supported by the Military/Veterans Law Section of the Georgia Bar and the Military Legal Assistance Program.
Details at https://law.emory.edu/academics/clinics/student-led-clinics/volunteer-clinic-for-veterans.html.
In August, the PACT (Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics) Act was passed providing veterans with the largest expansion of healthcare and benefits in VA history. The expansion now covers more than 20 conditions caused by burn pits and toxic exposures. The benefits for veterans and their survivors expands coverage for veterans of the Gulf War, 9/11, and the Vietnam War.
Carlissa Carson is the clinic’s Senior Staff Attorney. She served in the US Air Force and graduated from Emory Law. She says the clinic expects to see an increase in need now that the PACT Act has been signed into law.
“Servicemembers with conditions including brain cancer, GI tract cancer, COPD and other life-threatening illnesses no longer have to prove these conditions were caused by burn pit exposure which will lead to easier access to care and benefits,” says Carson.
Students who volunteer at the clinic get one-on-one time with the veterans, help prepare legal briefs and help staff veterans’ events.
