Law Firms to Represent Homeless & Low-Income Veterans

Background

Veterans are not automatically awarded benefits for disabilities related to their time in service and the process by which one obtains these benefits is complex and confusing. Moreover, many veterans are ineligible to receive much needed VA benefits because of their discharge status. As such, Swords to Plowshares' legal unit works with veterans in two areas of law: (1) VA service-connected disability compensation and pension claims, and (2) Military Discharge Upgrades.

With the training and under the supervision of a Swords to Plowshares Staff Attorney, pro bono attorneys help veterans gather evidence and substantiate successful claims for disability benefits and military discharge upgrades.

Over 30 Bay Area law firms currently partner with Swords to Plowshares' Pro Bono Program and we offer both limited and full scope opportunities to work with veteran clients. We are seeking law firms to partner with to expand our capacity to represent low-income and homeless veterans in the Bay Area with their VA disability benefits claims and military discharge upgrades.

Scope

The role of a firm's attorneys in these cases may include one or more of the following on behalf of a veteran client:

Client management

• Client interviewing
• Building a trusting relationship

Factual research

• FOIA requests
• Negotiating document confidentiality
• Records review

Case management

• Handling, tracking, planning and strategy

Legal research

• Federal veterans laws, rules and regulations
• Precedent for similar procedural and substantive issues

Persuasive writing

• Crafting an effective brief directed to non-attorney adjudicators
• Summarizing evidence and telling a story
• Applying the facts to the law

Training

Before staffing a clinic or taking on a pro bono matter, the attorney will be required to complete 1-6 hours of training on VA disability benefits and/or Discharge Upgrades. All trainings are available on-line. In addition, attorneys with VA benefits cases will need to submit via email a three-page application form for VA accreditation to the VA's Office of General Counsel.

Swords provides an annual CLE accredited training on veterans' benefits law and military discharge upgrades in partnership with the Practising Law Institute. These trainings prepare attorneys to become VA-accredited and also prepare them to take discharge upgrade cases. Swords to Plowshares will offer additional in-person trainings, as needed.

Project Results

Since its founding in 1974, Swords to Plowshares has provided quality legal services to veterans in need of Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits and military discharge upgrades. Each year, we help hundreds of veterans access their benefits, but there are thousands more who need our help. Our Pro Bono Program continues to thrive and grow. In 2014, Swords' staff and pro bono attorneys helped 732 veterans and secured an estimated $8,500,000 in lifetime benefits for Bay Area veterans.

Organization Description

Swords to Plowshares is a community-based, not-for-profit veteran service organization that provides wrap-around care to more than 3,000 veterans in the San Francisco Bay Area each year. We are committed to helping veterans break through the cultural, educational, psychological and economic barriers they often face in their transition to the civilian world.

Swords to Plowshares is a national model for veteran services and advocacy. With nearly 40 years of experience, we have established the most respected and comprehensive model of care for veterans in the country.

Required Skills/Experience

All Pro Bono attorneys must be in good standing with a state bar. Swords to Plowshares will provide the necessary training.