UGA law school alumnus continues support of veterans seeking legal degrees

Abstract

UGA law school alumnus continues support of veterans seeking legal degrees

Athens, Ga. - A generous gift from a law school graduate will continue to expand support to veterans who are enrolled at the University of Georgia School of Law.

Renowned trial attorney and 1977 law school alumnus James E. "Jim" Butler Jr. made a charitable pledge to create a newly endowed fund guaranteeing that every veteran attending the law school will receive financial support.

"It is important to recognize the selflessness of those who served our country, and being able to assist these service men and women as they receive first-rate legal training is a great honor for me," Butler said. "One of my great regrets is that I never had the opportunity to serve due to injuries in a car wreck when I was 17."

Butler has been a steadfast supporter of those who have served in the U.S. military. He previously established the Butler Commitment, which guarantees financial aid to 100 percent of 2019 and 2020 student veteran law school matriculants. He also made a lead gift to establish the law school's Veterans Legal Clinic, which assists Georgia veterans with claims before the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

Butler has made these gifts in memory of his father, Lt. Cmdr. James E. Butler Sr., who was a U.S. Navy fighter pilot, and his brother, Dennis Butler, who served in the U.S. Army.

"I'm extremely grateful to Jim for the latest gift to support veterans. This will allow us, once again, to guarantee financial aid to every veteran who accepts our offer of admission," said School of Law Dean Peter B. "Bo" Rutledge. "Jim Butler is a strong ally of those who, like his father and brother, have served. We are grateful to honor our veterans and their families with this support."

The School of Law also participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program. The Yellow Ribbon program allows institutions of higher learning to make additional money available to fund tuition and fee expenses that exceed the tuition and fees covered by the Post-9/11 GI Bill. Under the program, the Department of Veterans Affairs matches school aid contributions made to eligible veterans.

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Writer/Contact: Lona Panter, 706-542-5172, lonap@uga.edu

An image of Butler is online at https://news.uga.edu/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/jim_butler_6381.jpg

This release is online at https://news.uga.edu/butler-commitment-fund/

UGA School of Law
Recognized as the best value in legal education in back-to-back years, the School of Law is also consistently regarded as one of the top law schools in the nation. Since 1859, the school has been preparing the next generation of legal leaders. It currently offers three degrees - the Juris Doctor, the Master of Laws and the Master in the Study of Law. The school's accomplished faculty includes nationally and internationally renowned scholars, and its more than 10,500 living graduates are leading figures in law, business and public service throughout the world. Connecting students to these thought leaders and opportunities to serve state and society is central to the school's mission. For more information, see www.law.uga.edu.

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