Since its inception, the University of Georgia Veterans Legal Clinic has had dual goals. One is aiding former members of the military in accessing all of the benefits they are entitled to through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, while the other is giving current law students a hands-on and purpose-driven learning experience so they can become skilled legal leaders.
On Veterans Day, the School of Law is pleased to share that by all accounts, the Veterans Legal Clinic is fulfilling its mission. Since opening six years ago, the clinic has:
- Amassed an estimated financial impact for veterans of almost $11.5 million.
- Collectively added more than $6.5 million in monthly income for veteran clients.
- Fielded inquiries from more than 800 military families.
- Successfully handled more than 42 client cases.
- Spoken with veterans in 94 Georgia counties, primarily outside of the greater Atlanta area.
- Logged more than 33,000 hours of service by over 140 law students.
Measuring the impact of a teaching law practice can take many forms.
“We can measure impact by the number of inquiries from clients, the number of cases handled, the size of the geographic service area, the number of student hours logged, the amount of benefits secured, or the long-term financial impact,” Veterans Legal Clinic Director and clinical professor Alexander W. “Alex” Scherr said. “We can also look at intangibles for veterans – the recognition and validation of past injuries and of future stability for those who may face homelessness or financial distress. And finally, we can look at the impact that training future lawyers has on their own professional development and their own understanding of the rewards of public service.”
The overall financial impact of the clinic was calculated for all clients where the clinic succeeded in adding to their benefits or saving them from debt. The total figure has three components: retroactive awards, debts waived (where veterans were found to have been overpaid in benefits), and the present value of future income. Across all of these cases, the clinic achieved an average value of $277,500 per veteran.
Alumnus Jim Butler (JD ’77) spent time with Veterans Legal Clinic professional staff while on campus earlier this fall. Pictured, from left, are Clinic Paralegal Alex Douglas, Clinic Director Alex Scherr, Legal Administrative Specialist Nakeisha Armstrong, Jim Butler and Staff Attorney Ethan Smith. (Submitted photo)
Scherr said both the overall financial impact and the average increase in benefits were very meaningful for veterans and their families, most of whom faced financial hardships and economic insecurity due to injuries or disabilities resulting from their military service.
He added that the law school’s Veterans Legal Clinic is purposefully designed to focus on thoroughly preparing claims early in the VA’s process. Staff and students “start from scratch” for each case, gathering all the relevant information before filing or refiling paperwork with the department.
“Clinics at other schools often focus on appealing the denials of claims by the VA,” Scherr said. “We work to prepare claims thoroughly at the start, so as to make the most of the chance for veterans to get all they should receive without the years of delay associated with VA appeals.”
Kyle R. Nelson, a third-year law student working in the clinic, said the experience has been valuable in teaching him how to handle a case for a client, specifically communicating with clients, gathering and reviewing records and legal research. “The big advantage the [Veterans Legal Clinic] has given me is my writing skills. There is an emphasis on accessible writing, and I’ve noticed that my writing has improved dramatically with all the written work I’ve done.”
Third-year law student Lindsay M. Smith described the clinic as her favorite law school experience. “It offers the opportunity to make a tangible difference in the lives of real people,” she said. “When I started law school … all I knew was that I wanted to use my law degree to help people; thanks to the VLC, I got to start actually helping people much sooner than I ever expected.”
The Veterans Legal Clinic was established through a lead gift from renowned trial attorney James E. “Jim” Butler Jr. The 1977 School of Law alumnus also supports the school’s Butler Commitment, which guarantees financial support for every veteran who enrolls at the law school. Starting this fall, the Butler Commitment now ranges from the equivalent of a one-quarter scholarship to a full-tuition plus scholarship.
With an impressive overall financial impact of $11.5 million, the Veterans Legal Clinic has surpassed all expectations, according to School of Law Dean Peter B. “Bo” Rutledge. “I am deeply grateful for the incredible teamwork that has made this clinic possible. A special thank you goes to Jim Butler, who was a catalytic donor, and to professor Alex Scherr, whose leadership and dedication have guided a remarkable team – including scores of law students – in making this clinic a vital resource for veterans.”
Rutledge said the Veterans Legal Clinic is just one more example of how the School of Law is redefining what it means to be a great national public law school – one that provides world-class opportunities while remaining accessible and emphasizing the need to serve state and society.