Columbus Community Legal Services (CCLS) has developed a new clinic designed to fit the busy schedule of CUA Law evening students. The Veterans Advocacy and Estate Planning Clinic gives students in both the Evening and Day Division the opportunity to represent real clients in real cases under the supervision of an experienced clinical law professor.

Student attorneys will fight for the rights of those who have served our country in the armed forces and have been denied veterans' benefits. Students will work closely with their clients from the initial interview onward and will receive a thorough grounding in both Administrative Law and Appellate Practice. Students will learn and carry out the practical aspects of fact investigation, legal research, legal drafting, negotiations and oral and written advocacy. In addition, the Clinic will offer estate planning services to both veterans and non-veterans alike. Student attorneys will draft wills, trusts, health care directives and powers of attorney.

CUA Law student and veteran Erik Lopez, 3L has already signed up for the Clinic's summer session. "The transition from military life to the civilian life can be a hard transition for many of us, especially combat veterans. Many of us struggle with finding significance comparable to our military service, and many of us return to civilian life with physical and mental wounds that make it harder for us to achieve the same level of success we were once accustomed to achieving. Some veterans are denied veterans benefits that would make the transition and subsequent success a reality. As a former Marine, troop welfare is one of our priorities; I am looking forward to ensuring that welfare to our veterans even after their service to our country," Lopez said.

All classes and meetings are held during the evening or on the weekend. Enrollment is now open for Summer 2017, and the Clinic will be conducted all three semesters. The first class will meet Wednesday, May 24, 2017 at 6:15 pm.

For more information, contact Professor Michael McGonnigal at mcgonnigal@law.edu or call him at 202-319-6194 or visit him in the Clinic Complex on the First Floor.