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2023 Thomas M. French Veterans Advocacy Fund Pro Bono Boot Camp
April 14, 2023 @ 12:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Advocating for Veterans with Disabilities
The South Royalton Legal Clinic’s Veterans Legal Assistance Project, with the generous support of the Thomas M. French through the Thomas M. French Veterans Advocacy Fund is honored to provide this introductory Continuing Legal Education (CLE) program focused on preparing attorneys and appointed representatives.
Attorneys and other advocates must be accredited to practice before the VA. Within 12 months after accreditation you are required to complete three hours of qualifying CLE. This program is offered to satisfy that requirement. In addition, this program is an excellent primer for any attorney considering representing veterans before the VA.
Attorneys and other advocates who become accredited will be listed on a national VA list, and are entitled to represent veterans in their initial claims for VA benefits on a pro bono basis, and on VA benefits appeals for attorney’s fees.
This program is being offered free of charge to attorneys and appointed representatives in exchange for their commitment to assist at least one pro bono VA benefits client in the year following the program.
Save the Date!
(3) General CLE Credits are available
REGISTER TO ATTEND!
Preregistration is Required
CLE credits are available. The conference is free for students, attorneys, and advocates, and those seeking CLE credits.
| Time | Segment Title | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 8 – 8:20 a.m. | Registration | Participant registration, continental breakfast |
| 8:20 – 8:30 a.m. | Opening Remarks | |
| 8:30 – 9:30 a.m. | Introduction to VA Law and Benefits – Advocating for Veterans with Disabilities | This segment provide an introduction to representation before the VA. Starting with defining who qualifies as a “veteran” for the purposes of VA benefits. This segment will the provide an overview of what benefits a veteran may be eligible for based on discharge status and an introduction to relief when discharge status is other than dishonorable. Finally, this segment will discuss the three elements necessary to prevail in a claim for service- connected disability compensation. The primary focus will be VA disability compensation benefits, including a discussion of the basic requirements for service connection and statutory amounts of monthly benefits. Instructors: Donald F. Hayes, Esq. |
| 9:30 – 9:45 a.m. | Break | |
| 9:45 – 10:45 a.m. | VA Benefits Appeals Process | This segment provides an introduction to the VA benefits appeals process under the Veterans Appeals Improvement and Modernization Act of 2017 (AMA). Beginning with reviewing a benefits decision letter, this segment will review the three appeal lanes available to veterans and their advocates. This segment will also cover filing appeals with the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims. Instructors: Tim Mercer, Esq. |
| 10:45 – 11 a.m. | Break | |
| 11 – 12 p.m. | PACT Act and Toxic Exposure Cases | Signed into law in August 2022, the PACT Act was created to significantly improve healthcare access and funding for veterans who were exposed to toxic substances during military service. This segment will highlight the PACT Act’s provisions and the effects of those legal changes on the pursuit of VA disability benefits. Instructors: TBD |
| 12 – 12:20 p.m. | Closing Remarks | Review Accreditation Application |
| 12:20 – 1 p.m. | Lunch |
Instructors:
Donald F. Hayes JD’10, Esq. is the director of the Veterans’ Legal Assistance Project (VLAP) at the South Royalton Legal Clinic. Attorney Hayes has been serving as the director of VLAP since 2018. He is accredited to represent veterans before the VA. Attorney Hayes is a member of the National Organization of Veterans Advocates.
Tim Mercer, Esq. is a partner at Bluestein Attorneys LLC in Albany, N.Y. , joining them in 2018. Attorney Mercer served in the United States Marine Corps. He presently handles an active docket of VA Disability appeals and claims. Attorney Mercer is a member of the National Organization of Veterans Advocates.