Outzen Named Assistant Director of William & Mary Law’s Veterans Benefits Clinic
Zachary R.M. Outzen ’22 has reached two major milestones in his legal and military career.
Outzen has returned to his alma mater, William & Mary Law School, this fall as a Professor of the Practice and Assistant Director of the Lewis B. Puller, Jr., Veterans Benefits Clinic, where he once trained as a law student.
“It’s an incomparable honor to teach at the same Law School and Clinic that taught me,” Outzen said. He expressed gratitude to mentors and colleagues who supported his journey, including those at the National Veterans Legal Services Program (NVLSP), where he served as an Equal Justice Works Fellow and later as a staff attorney.
In a parallel development, Outzen has also commissioned as a First Lieutenant in the U.S. Army Reserve Judge Advocate General’s Corps (JAG). He recently graduated from the 228th Judge Advocate Officer Basic Course and serves as a Reserve Judge Advocate with the 134th Legal Operations Detachment based in Fort Bragg, N.C., providing legal assistance to soldiers.
“It’s been a lifelong dream of mine to continue my family tradition of military service and uphold our constitutional values and the rule of law,” he said. “I’m thrilled to be doing so alongside some of the finest soldiers the Army has.”
A second-generation Turkish-American and relative to six U.S. Army veterans, Outzen has built a career focused on veterans’ justice, poverty law, and civil rights. Before law school, he earned a B.A. in English Literature from Christopher Newport University. His legal education at William & Mary included leadership roles in multiple student organizations, including the Student Bar Association, Criminal Law Society, Lawyers Helping Lawyers, the Student Environmental & Animal Law Society, and others.
He also served as Assistant Symposium Editor (Vol. 45) and Symposium Editor (Vol. 46) of the William & Mary Environmental Law and Policy Review.
“Zach Outzen’s deep commitment to veterans and expertise in military matters will be an invaluable asset to our clinic and our students,“ said Michael Dick, Director of the Puller Clinic and of the Office of Military and Veteran Affairs. “As we continue to expand our support for those who have served and provide exceptional learning experiences for our students, we look forward to the meaningful impact he will make through both teaching and service.”
About the Puller Clinic
At the Lewis B. Puller, Jr. Veterans Benefits Clinic, students work directly with veterans, under the supervision of experienced attorneys, to advocate for their disability claims and help address a wide range of concerns like mental health, housing, and employment. Through their essential service, students develop essential legal skills while making a real difference in the lives of those who served. For more information about the Clinic, including how you can help support the Clinic, please visit the Puller Clinic webpage.