Veterans' Assistance
Willkie is proud to support those who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces. Through partnerships with public interest organizations, our pro bono work helps veterans access justice and necessary benefits. Some of our recent work includes the following:
Benefits for Veterans
In partnership with the National Veterans Legal Service Program, Willkie lawyers have provided pro bono assistance to many veterans. Our work includes securing discharge upgrades, which involve reclassifying the terms of a veteran’s discharge from the military through the presentation of evidence related to their experience of a disability or discrimination during their service, and Combat-Related Special Compensation, which is a tax-free monthly benefit for veterans with disabilities that resulted from serving in combat.
Willkie, through training and mentorship from the City Bar Justice Center’s Veterans Assistance Project, can get VA accredited and assist veterans pursuing claims before the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
Willkie also partners with The Veterans Consortium (TVC) to provide representation to veterans who are appealing unfavorable rulings on disability, educational assistance, survivor benefit and pension benefit claims from the Department of Veteran Affairs. Through TVC, Willkie attorneys also have the opportunity to participate in limited scope clinics to assist veterans seeking benefits from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
Assisting Nonprofits
The firm regularly provides transactional legal services to many organizations whose mission is to support veterans, families of veterans and Gold Star families. This work spans areas such as nonprofit incorporation, drafting and revising bylaws and other corporate governance documents, insurance matters, and handling mergers and acquisitions.