Faculty: Professor Hugh McClean
Students enrolled in The Bob Parsons Veterans Advocacy Clinic represent veterans before courts and administrative agencies in diverse civil and veterans benefits matters. Students also engage in community education, legislative projects and other systemic efforts at law reform. Under the supervision of a faculty member, students are responsible for all aspects of representing clients, including interviewing clients and witnesses, counseling clients, engaging in fact investigation and discovery, drafting documents, negotiating with adversaries, and conducting hearings and trials. Students are expected to devote approximately 20 hours per week to clinic activity, including a three-hour weekly seminar component.
The Bob Parsons Veterans Advocacy Clinic selects cases for their educational and community service value, and students handle a diverse caseload during the semester. Students practice before the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, the Board of Veterans Appeals and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) regional offices. Practice areas may include disability compensation and pension claims, discharge upgrades, medical and physical evaluation boards, Servicemembers Civil Relief Act, fully developed claims and veterans treatment courts.
Prerequisite: First-year day courses
Co- or prerequisite: Professional Responsibility
Policies and procedures:
The Bob Parsons Veterans Advocacy Clinic selects its students through the lottery process.