Veterans Legal Clinic receives funding to create Georgia Veterans Outreach Program

Abstract

Athens, Ga. -- The University of Georgia School of Law's Veterans Legal Clinic, in partnership with the Georgia Legal Services Program, has received funding from the American Bar Association to extend its work for veterans throughout the state of Georgia.

Titled the Georgia Veterans Outreach Program, this partnership will deliver virtual legal clinics to veterans in underserved parts of the state. There will be six clinic events that will connect veterans with volunteer lawyers for brief service and referrals using video conferencing software. Veterans without phone or reliable internet can participate using program computers at venues near where they live that will be set up by GVOP. The virtual clinics will be hosted in parts of Georgia that lack veteran-specific legal assistance and will prioritize veterans in rural areas who often lack access to lawyers and legal advice.

The GVOP will allow both the Veterans Legal Clinic and the Georgia Legal Services Program to fully realize a remote clinic system, which will improve outreach efforts to veterans statewide. The events will eliminate barriers faced with purely in-person clinics, including the health and safety concerns brought to light by the coronavirus pandemic.

The law school is grateful to a group of Columbus-based supporters who have focused their efforts on ensuring that our nation's military men and women receive the assistance they need. This group includes renowned trial attorney and alumnus James E. "Jim" Butler Jr., who has been a steadfast supporter of those who have served in the U.S. military. Butler 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. He also established the Butler Commitment, which guarantees financial aid to 100 percent of student veteran law school matriculants.

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

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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