|
The current staff of the Veterans' Advocacy Law Clinic (l-r): clinic fellow Lori Lewis, students John Enlow, Arizona Baskin, Timothy Desjarlais, Mario Rios, Elise Phalen, Athena Stephanopoulos, and Josiah Rabon, and director Kristine Huskey.
|
The Veterans' Advocacy Law Clinic at Arizona Law, led by Clinic Professor and Director Kristine Huskey, provides pro bono legal services to those who have served in the United States military. The clinic helps veterans by removing legal barriers that hinder the transition from military service to civilian life.
It is the only law school clinic in Arizona whose clientele are exclusively veterans and service members and the only non-profit program in Arizona that focuses exclusively on the legal needs of veterans.
The clinic assists veterans in four areas: in veterans treatment courts, on benefits cases and discharge upgrade cases, and through a robust intake and referral program.
Helping veterans upgrade their discharge status to receive the benefits they deserve is an important part of the clinic's mission. A less than Honorable discharge can present barriers to employment, housing, security clearances, Veterans Administration (VA) home loans, and even access to VA disability and education benefits. Over the past year, the clinic achieved two big wins through its discharge upgrade practice.
In one case, the clinic represented a veteran who enlisted in the Army right after 9/11, serving for over 12 years. He eventually was a Ranger and in Special Forces, deploying to both Iraq and Afghanistan, receiving a Purple Heart and an Army Commendation Medal with Valor, among other awards. But the trauma of combat affected him, like so many other soldiers, and he suffered from post-traumatic stress (PTS). He began self-medicating with an illegal substance and, despite voluntarily entering rehab, the Army discharged him with a less than Honorable discharge.
|
From l-r: students Benjamin Taylor and Josiah Rabon, their client,
and Professor Huskey.
|
In spite of this, the client went on to pursue a BS in nursing and work as a paramedic. The Vet Clinic began representing the veteran in the spring of 2017, ultimately filing two briefs with a Department of Defense (DoD) Review Board. In May 2019, two clinic students -- Josiah Rabon ('20, veteran) and Benjamin Taylor ('20) -- traveled with Professor Huskey and the client to Arlington, Virginia, where Josiah and Benjamin argued before the Board. This semester, the Board granted a favorable decision, upgrading the discharge to fully Honorable. Previous law students who worked on this case include Wes Stiner ('17) and Jon Rich ('18) (both veterans).
In another discharge upgrade case, the clinic represented an Air Force veteran who had deployed three times, serving in combat zones and witnessing child-sex slavery and other atrocities. He received numerous medals. After his third deployment, he too began self-medicating for his PTS and ultimately received a less than Honorable discharge. Despite his discharge, this veteran went on to get his Master's degree in national security studies and hopes to start his own business.
During spring semester 2019, two clinic students -- Reuben Dacher-Shapiro ('19) and Travis Atwood ('19, veteran) -- filed a brief and extensive exhibits with the DoD Board on his behalf. Just recently, the clinic received a decision from the Board upgrading this veteran's discharge status to fully Honorable. Previous students who worked on the case include Erick Hernandez ('18) and Ishmael Boateng ('19) (both veterans).
Students who take the Veterans' Advocacy Law Clinic also represent veterans and active military service members in two local veterans treatment courts -- the Regional Municipalities Veterans Treatment Court and the Pima County Justice Court Veterans Court.
Students represent veterans from all branches, assisting them in successfully completing at least six months in the treatment program so their criminal charges are dismissed. Students participate in bi-weekly court sessions throughout the semester, interacting with local providers including the VA to ensure that clients are connected to appropriate counseling and treatment. These hard-working students interview clients, explain the program, follow up to encourage compliance with treatment, negotiate with prosecutors, argue before the judge and collaborate with everyone in the court.
|
Clinic students Elise Phalen (l) and Arizona Baskin (r) in court.
|
Since the beginning of 2019, 93 of the Veterans' Advocacy Law Clinic's clients have successfully graduated from these two veterans treatment courts. This semester, seven law students represent approximately 150 veterans and active military members in court. Current law students in the Vet Clinic are: Arizona Baskin ('21), Brie Braun ('20), Timothy Desjarlais ('21), Elise Phalen ('20), Josiah Rabon ('20), Mario Rios ('21), and Athena Stephanopoulos ('21). In court, they work under the supervision of clinic fellow Lori Lewis.
The clinic's work has expanded over the years in response to growing need. This year it has continued its service providing intakes and referrals to at least 90 veterans, helping them find appropriate attorneys and non-profit organizations for matters such as family law, employment, benefits, and various civil matters.
|
|
| Source: tucson.va.gov |
On November 19, the clinic will cement its ongoing partnership with the VA and hold its first-ever legal clinic at the Southern Arizona VA Health Care System, with the goal of providing these legal clinics on a regular basis.
Professor Huskey adds that the clinic could not have accomplished so much without the help of two UA undergraduate interns, Elyse Atler (psychology and criminal justice) and John Enlow (BA in Law).