Professor Patricia Roberts Chairs New National Law School Veterans Clinic Consortium
Professor Patricia Roberts J.D. '92 serves as chair of The National Law School Veterans Clinic Consortium (NLSVCC), which was announced on Veterans Day. Roberts is Clinical Professor of Law, Director of Clinical Programs, and Director of the Lewis B. Puller, Jr. Veterans Benefits Clinic at the Law School.
According to the press release announcing the Consortium's launch, the group’s goal is “to establish a long-term collaborative relationship among member institutions to help advance positive systemic change for veteran legal advocacy services such as applying for disability benefits, addressing civil legal needs and assisting in Veteran Treatment Courts.” NLSVCC's founding members include the Puller Clinic, the Veterans Advocacy Clinic at Stetson University College of Law, and the Veterans Legal Support Center and Clinic at The John Marshall Law School.
“Veterans make up seven percent of the U.S. population, and research shows that legal support ranks as one of their highest unmet needs. We encourage law school veterans clinics to join the NLSVCC to share best practices and ideas for developing innovative training curricula that can ultimately be implemented in veterans law clinics across the country," said Roberts in the release. "In celebration of Veterans Day, veterans should know how very grateful we are for their service to our country. If you wore the uniform and need legal assistance, law school legal clinics can often be the best first step to obtaining justice, benefits or even a roof overhead."
Professor Roberts is joined on the Board by Stacey-Rae Simcox J.D. ’99. The Consortium is aided by the pro bono government relations services of Christopher DeLacy J.D. '99 and Andrew Emerson of Holland & Knight LLP along with Douglas Dziak J.D. '99 of Nixon Peabody LLP, each of whom has been providing countless pro bono hours in creating and advising the Consortium. Their efforts have already resulted in significant benefit to the members of the NLSVCC and the veterans they serve.
About The National Law School Veterans Clinic Consortium
NLSVCC is a collaborative effort of the nation's law school legal clinics dedicated to addressing the unique legal needs of U.S. military veterans on a pro bono basis. The Consortium's mission is, working with like-minded stakeholders, to gain support and advance common interests with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, U.S. Congress, state and local veterans service organizations, court systems, educators and all other entities for the benefit of veterans throughout the country. For more information, visit http://www.nlsvcc.org.
About William & Mary Law School
Thomas Jefferson founded William & Mary Law School in 1779 to train leaders for the new nation. Now in its third century, America's oldest law school continues its historic mission of educating citizen lawyers who are prepared both to lead and to serve.