2023 Veterans Law institute Newsletter

VETERANS LAW INSTITUTE

TOP NEWS

Professor Stacey-Rae Simcox published the first veterans benefits textbook for use in clinic courses

We coauthored and edited several amici briefs to the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit and U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims

We hosted veteran students from the Deland campus to assist them with their claims

MILITARY FRIENDLY: GOLD STATUS

MEETJOHNNYPRUIETT

We participated in a Stand Down event for homeless veterans VLI Coordinator

Johnny received his BA in American Studies from the University of Texas at San Antonio and an M Ed in Student Development and Leadership in Higher Education from Angelo State University. Prior to receiving his degrees, Johnny proudly served for over eight years in the U.S. Navy and in the U.S. Coast Guard. As the VLI's coordinator, he is excited to combine his educational training and professional endeavors with his passion for helping others who have served in the Armed Forces.

VLI OUTREACH EVENTS

Veteran students from the Stetson University Deland campus traveled to Gulfport to meet with us. Our students, with the help of a few alumni, provided limited representation of the undergraduate students in order to discuss their VA claims and plan a course of action.

This past spring, our Associate Director brought students to the Bay Pines VA Stand Down Event. Volunteers provided food, clothing, and health screenings to homeless veterans. Veterans also received referrals for housing solutions, employment, and mental health counseling. The VLI helped veterans navigate legal referrals and took applications for our services.

Military Friendly® is the standard that measures an organization’s commitment, effort and success in creating sustainable and meaningful benefit for the military community.

The Military Friendly® Schools survey is the longest-running most comprehensive review of college and university investments in serving military and veteran students.

Due to the efforts of the Veterans Law Institute, Stetson University College of Law maintained its designation as a Gold Level Military Friendly School.

LEADERSHIP AND LEGAL CAREERS IN THE MILITARY

In conjunction with the Office of Career and Professional Development, the Student Veteran Organization and the Student Leadership Development Committee, we hosted a lunch event featuring U.S. Army Brigadier General Ronald Sullivan and Major Hsienjan Huang.

BRIDADIER GENERAL RONALD SULLIVAN CHIEF JUDGE, U.S. ARMY COURT OF APPEALS

U.S. Army Brigadier General Sullivan and Major Huang shared insights on what it is like to pursue a legal career in the military and provided tips on how to launch a successful legal career. Key themes were the value of mentorship, the importance of teamwork, and the significance of having the right mindset. When asked what 3Ls should do as they look for their first job out of law school, he said, “Know why you’re going into the office every day.”

MEET THE AUTHOR: STACEY-RAE SIMCOX

A collaboration with William & Mary Law School Professor Emeritus David E. Boelzner, the book is called Veterans Benefits: Law, Theory, and Practice. Stacey-Rae says it aims to serve as “a useful and complete resource for teachers of veterans law, particularly in the practical context of preparing student advocates in law clinics to assist veterans with their claims for benefits.”

It concisely maps out the incredibly complex VA claims system and shows students how to navigate it.

A clinical course requires practical application of statute, regulation, case law, and analysis to a real-life client’s legal issues. This book is unique because it provides students with a number of client vignettes to allow the student to apply what they are learning to a practical client scenario, just as they would in practice.

Stacey-Rae's hope is that this book will help law students and other advocates gain a deeper understanding of veterans law and help achieve better results for our veterans and their families. “

The U.S. Court of appeals for veterans claims bar association veterans law journal published a review of the textbook. mary tang, special counsel at va's board of veterans' appeals, opined that this textbook should be a wellworn resource, given its practicality, personal wit, and hand-holding guidance to veterans law. The veterans law community is lucky to have options in sound and knowledgeable textbooks to choose from, including this one.

"AS A VETERAN MYSELF, I CONSIDER IT A GREAT PRIVILEGE TO GIVE BACK TO MY FELLOW VETERANS IN THIS SMALL WAY."

- STACEY-RAE SIMCOX

ON BEHALF OF THE NLSVCC

WE HAVE SUBMITTED AMICI BRIEFS . . .

to the Federal Circuit supporting Mr. Frantzis, a veteran who is arguing he is entitled to have the judge who hears his case at the Board of Veterans' Appeals be the same judge who decides his case.

to the Federal Circuit supporting the Beaudette family. We argued that Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims oversight is necessary to protect the rights of veterans and their caregivers to access and maintain congressionally-provided benefits.

to the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims supporting Mr. Terry, a veteran who brought forward a case of first impression under the new Appeals Improvement and Modernization Act.

OUR STUDENTS, WHO VOLUNTEERED TO RESEARCH AND DRAFT THESE BRIEFS, GAINED VALUABLE EXPERIENCE IN FEDERAL APPELLATE LAW.

SUMMER FELLOW SPOTLIGHTS

ANDREW SMIAROWSKI

"I chose to volunteer at the VLI because when I came to law school, I wanted to help people. working at the VLI has allowed me to do that early in my legal career. So far, my favorite part of working here has been navigating the complex field of veterans benefits law and applying what I have learned for the VLI clients."

MITCHELL TOWNSEND

"I volunteer with the VLI because I believe the struggles faced by veterans to obtain needed benefits are often overlooked and wanted to help in any way I could. So far, the most enjoyable part of the fellowship has been familiarizing myself with the veterans' stories and having an active role in their claims."

HANAH WALKER

"I believe that volunteering at the VLI was the ultimate way to utilize my legal education and allow me the chance to perfect my interviewing and counseling, legal writing, and other imperative skills that being an effective lawyer requires. I have thoroughly enjoyed and helping clients get the benefits they deserve."

"I chose to volunteer with the VLI Summer Fellowship program for the second summer in a row because I enjoy assisting Veterans with their benefits and disability claims. It is an excellent opportunity to give back to the Veteran community; the VLI program is enlightening, enriching, and fulfilling."

"I chose to participate in the VLI Summer Fellowship because I wanted to help those who served our country get the benefits they deserve. My experience has been both challenging and rewarding. I am learning a lot and hope to use the skills I am gaining when I graduate and practice law."

LA'TONYA LYNN

LAUREN BISHOP

VLI ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR ADDED TO AALS PRO BONO HONOR ROLL

We are proud to announce that our Associate Director, Morgan MacIsaacBykowski, has been named to the American Association of Law Schools’ inaugural Pro Bono Honor Roll, which aims to recognize “the pro bono work of individuals engaging in, expanding, and supporting their law school community,” according to the AALS website.

Since graduating from Stetson Law in 2020, Morgan has spent countless hours in service to the Veterans Law Institute’s clients. She said what inspires her is the sacrifice of veterans in her own life, who showed her the immense value of service. “The women and men I advocate for are some of the strongest, bravest and most steadfast people I have encountered,” Morgan said. “I see them fighting for their well-deserved benefits for years without relief – but they never give up. I have the opportunity and ability to advance their interests and feel honored to be trusted with this work.”

NLSVCC ANNUAL MEETING

The National Law School Veterans Clinic Consortium's annual meeting took place on Thursday, June 15. After each committee provided updates, the Board announced awards and the results of the election for the two open Board positions.

We are proud to announce that we have a lot to celebrate. Stacey-Rae was given the "Best Veterans Law Publication of the Year" award in recognition of exceptional scholarship in the field. Morgan was elected to the Board for a three year term, along with Chesley Roberts, a Stetson Law graduate who spent several semesters at the Veterans Law Institute. We are proud of each of these accomplishments and look forward to our continued involvement with the Consortium.

STATS

BACKPAY ACQUIRED FOR OUR CLIENTS:

$12,386,268

TOTAL NEW PROJECTED LIFETIME

DISABILITY COMPENSATION FOR ALL CLIENTS:

$43,433,334