2020 TVC Pro Bono Mission Partner Awards October 29, 2020
CELEBRATING PRO BONO SERVICE TO VETERANS
We believe That our veterans ~Our nation’s defenders~ Deserve the care, benefits And compensation they were promised And the best legal services, Free of charge, To meet their challenges. #theyfoughtforus
TABLE OF CONTENTS Executive Director’s Welcome......................................................................3 TVC Executive Board.....................................................................................4 Evening Program...........................................................................................5 Thank You to Our Sponsors...........................................................................7 U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims...................................................8 Pro Bono Program for Veterans.....................................................................9 2020 TVC Chairman's Award......................................................................17 2020 TVC Law Firm Pro Bono Mission Partner Award ..............................19 2020 TVC Corporate Pro Bono Mission Partner Award..............................21
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Community Since 1840, Baker Botts has maintained the tradition of giving back to the communities in which we live and work. The unprecedented challenges that the global health crisis has presented makes this work more important than ever. Baker Botts strives to provide people in our communities with straightforward and relevant resources to address their most immediate concerns and support essential organizations like the Veterans Consortium.
AUSTIN BEIJING BRUSSELS DALLAS DUBAI HONG KONG HOUSTON LONDON MOSCOW NEW YORK PALO ALTO RIYADH SAN FRANCISCO WASHINGTON
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Executive Director’s Welcome Welcome to The Veterans Consortium’s 2020 Pro Bono Mission Partner Awards. As the nation continues to grapple with a pandemic of enormous scale and human impact, our hearts go out to all who have been affected by the outbreak of COVID-19. I believe that we will look back on this time and be proud of the work we did together to ensure we never wavered in support of our veterans and their loved ones. With your partnership, the mission continued, and we were able to represent a record number of clients. We gather tonight to join forces with our Mission Partners, supporters and the dedicated TVC staff to recognize the accomplishments of our shared mission. We are all here because we believe that our nation’s defenders deserve the care, benefits and compensation they were promised and the best legal services, free of charge, to meet their challenges. Tonight, we honor those who have “gone above and beyond the call of duty” to provide quality pro bono legal services to veterans, their families, caregivers and survivors. Our three awardees are great examples of the partnerships we work hard to forge with our volunteers and Mission Partners. We know that we are only as good as those who choose to join forces with us, so it is a privilege to have an opportunity to honor your outstanding pro bono service. These awards are representative of the hard work and dedication of so many firms, organizations and individuals and we salute all of you. I want to especially thank our Champion Sponsor, Baker Botts LLP, for their generous support of our program. Baker Botts attorneys have been taking TVC cases since 1998 and have nearly a 100% success rate. Their partnership over the years has been invaluable to our mission and has contributed significantly to our success. All of our sponsors were extremely generous this year and we are grateful for each one of you. With your support, we were able to raise a record amount in donations. This generosity will translate to innovative and quality services for our nation’s defenders. Thank you again for your support, partnership and patriotism. This is a team effort and each of you are critical to the mission. With gratitude,
Steve Jordon Executive Director 3
TVC EXECUTIVE BOARD William S. Foster, Jr., Esq., Chairman & Director (Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP) Gary M. Butter, Esq., Vice Chairman & Director (Google, Inc.) Leonard J. Selfon, Esq., CAE, Secretary & Director (Paralyzed Veterans of America) Roy E. Spicer, Director (Disabled American Veterans) Barton F. Stichman, Esq., Director (National Veterans Legal Services Program) Mary Ann Gilleece, Esq., Chairwoman Emeritus/Director (The Private Bar) Chanin Nuntavong, Director (The American Legion) John Muckelbauer, Esq., Director (Veterans of Foreign Wars) Aniela Szymanski, Esq., Director (Veterans Education Success) William W. Levi, CPA, CGMA, Treasurer (W. Levi and Associates)
With Appreciation The Veterans Consortium would like to thank the members of our TVC National Volunteer Corps and our mission partners for their pro bono service to veterans, their families, caregivers and survivors. SM
Your partnership and dedication is critical to our mission.
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EVENING PROGRAM Welcome Stephen Jordon TVC Executive Director Opening Remarks William S. Foster, Jr., Esq. Chairman, TVC Executive Board Remarks by Champion Sponsor Baker Botts LLP Jennifer Nall, Esq. & David Tobin, Esq. Presentation of the 2020 TVC Pro Bono Mission Partner Awards 2020 TVC Chairman’s Award Valerie Daye, Esq. 2020 TVC Law Firm Pro Bono Mission Partner Award Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP Acceptance Remarks by Rene Kathawala, Esq. Pro Bono Counsel, Orrick Herrington & Sutcliffe, LLP 2020 TVC Corporate Pro Bono Mission Partner Award Amazon.com Acceptance Remarks by David Zapolsky, Esq. Senior Vice President and General Counsel, Amazon.com Closing Remarks Special Performance by Voices of Service “Let Me Raise My Voice” 5
Committed to Community We are proud to support The Veterans Consortium’s 2020 Pro Bono Mission Partner Awards.
45 Offices in 20 Countries squirepattonboggs.com
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Thank You to Our Sponsors CHAMPION Baker Botts LLP FREEDOM ExxonMobil Corporation Squire Patton Boggs PATRIOT Cameron Firm, PC McCarter & English, LLP Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP GUARDIAN The American Legion Bergmann & Moore, LLC Blank Rome LLP Butler Snow LLP Capital One Financial Corporation Centonzio Law, PLLC Disabled American Veterans Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP Kirkland & Ellis LLP National Veterans Legal Services Program Paralyzed Veterans of America Quarles & Brady LLP Veterans Law Office of Amy B. Kretkowski PLC White & Case LLP HONOR GUARD Butler Weihmuller Katz Craig LLP Duane Morris LLP Fish & Richardson PC Greene & Marusak, LLC Just Law Veterans’ Rights Law Group, PLLC VETERAN’S DEFENDER Alston & Bird LLP Chisholm, Chisholm & Kilpatrick LTD The Law Office of Michael J. Sepanik National Association of County Veterans Service Officers ODU Law Firm, LLC Valerie Daye, Esq. William S. Foster, Jr., Esq. *as of 10/28/2020
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U.S COURT OF APPEALS FOR VETERANS CLAIMS The United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims is a federal court of record established by Congress through the Veterans' Judicial Review Act (VJRA), which was signed into law on November 18, 1988 (now codified in chapter 72 of title 38, United States Code). Prior to the VJRA, veterans who were denied claims for VA benefits, or who disagreed with findings of the Board of Veterans' Appeals (Board), had no right to pursue any review of Board decisions. The Court provides this independent judicial review and is not part of the Department of Veterans Affairs. The Court has exclusive jurisdiction to review final Board decisions based on the record before the agency and arguments of the parties, which are presented in a written brief, with oral argument generally held only in cases presenting new legal issues. The Court's principal office is in Washington, D.C., but the Court is authorized to sit anywhere in the United States and does so a limited number of times each year, typically at law schools across the nation as part of an educational outreach program. The Court is authorized seven permanent, active Judges, and two additional Judges as part of a temporary expansion provision. Judges generally are appointed for 15-year terms, and each Judge has the option upon retirement to agree to be available for further service as a recall-eligible Senior Judge. During any period of recall service, a Senior Judge has all of the judicial authority and powers of a Judge in active service.
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PRO BONO PROGRAM FOR VETERANS At the request of the Court’s founding Chief Judge, Frank Q. Nebeker, the Federal Pro Bono Program for Veterans was created by the U.S. Congress in Public Law No. 102-229 and marked its 25-year milestone in 2017. The law provides for the “…furnishing of legal and other assistance, without charge, to veterans and other persons who are unable to afford the cost of legal representation in connection with decisions to which section 7252(a) of title 38, United States Code, may apply, or with other proceedings in the Court, through a program that furnishes case screening and referral, training and education for attorney and related personnel, and encouragement and facilitation of pro bono representation by members of the bar and law school clinical and other appropriate programs, such as veterans service organizations, and through defraying expenses incurred in providing representation to such persons. Provided, That such grants or contracts shall be made by the Legal Services Corporation pursuant to a reimbursable payment from the United States Court of Veterans Appeals….” [now the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims].
LEGAL SERVICES CORPORATION LSC is the single largest funder of civil legal aid for low-income Americans in the nation. Established in 1974, LSC operates as an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation that promotes equal access to justice and provides grants for high-quality civil legal assistance to low-income Americans. LSC distributes more than 93% of its funding to 133 independent nonprofit legal aid programs with more than 800 offices. LSC promotes equal access to justice by awarding grants to legal services providers through a competitive grants process; conducting compliance reviews and program visits to oversee program quality and compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements as well as restrictions that accompany LSC funding, and by providing training and technical assistance to programs. LSC encourages programs to leverage limited resources by partnering and collaborating with other funders of civil legal aid, including state and local governments, Interest on Lawyers’ Trust Accounts (IOLTA), access to justice commissions, the private bar, philanthropic foundations, and the business community. LSC is headed by a bipartisan board of directors whose 11 members are appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate. 9
We proudly support The Veterans Consortium Pro Bono Program
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McCarter & English, LLP is proud to support The Veterans Consortium Pro Bono Program
www.mccarter.com
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We are proud to support The Veterans Consortium Pro Bono Mission Partner Awards
PAUL, WEISS, RIFKIND, WHARTON & GARRISON LLP
paulweiss.com
Stepping Up For Those Who Have Sacrificed Quarles & Brady is honored to participate in the Veterans Consortium Pro Bono Program. We share a common goal of narrowing the gap between those who need legal access and those who can access it, particularly our nation’s veterans. For more information on our pro bono program, visit www.quarles.com/corporatesocial-responsibility/pro-bono/.
quarles.com
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Kirkland & Ellis is proud to support
The Veterans Consortium The Firm congratulates this year’s Pro Bono Mission Partner Awardees and commends their commitment to supporting our nation’s veterans.
Kirkland & Ellis LLP 1301 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20004 +1 202 389 5000 | www.kirkland.com/probono
WE SUPPORT
VICTORIES FOR VETERANS DAV is proud to support The Veterans Consortium Pro Bono Program and help more than a million veterans in life changing ways every year. Learn more at DAV.org.
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2020 TVC CHAIRMAN’S AWARD
The Veterans Consortium Pro Bono Program congratulates Valerie Daye, Esq. on her selection to receive the 2020 TVC Chairman’s Award in recognition of her outstanding record of service to our nation’s veterans and their families, caregivers, and survivors. Valerie has taken many cases since attending our training in 2016 - all with favorable outcomes. She is a steadfast advocate for her clients, who often contact TVC to remark on her compassionate and effective representation. She is an integral member of our TVC National Volunteer Corps and someone who supports our program and initiatives with enthusiasm. Valerie is also an active volunteer at our weekly Pro Bono Legal Clinics at the DC VA Medical Center. She participated in the pilot Pro Bono Legal Clinic for Women Veterans in October of 2019 and was a great support to us when we launched a permanent clinic this March of 2020. Valerie has a strong devotion to veterans, which is apparent in her interactions and advocacy. Her energy, enthusiasm and can-do spirit are evident in her cases as well as her work at our pro bono legal clinics. She embodies our belief that our nation’s defenders deserve the best legal services free of charge to meet their challenges. This commitment to pro bono service demonstrates that Valerie Daye has “gone above and beyond the call of duty” on behalf of our nation’s veterans.
THANK YOU & CONGRATULATIONS 17
For more than 70 years, Paralyzed Veterans of America has worked tirelessly to ensure that veterans receive the benefits they’ve earned, health care they deserve, and fought to improve the lives of veterans and all people with disabilities.
Orrick is proud to support
The Veterans Consortium Pro Bono Program We are honored to receive the 2020 TVC Law Firm Mission Partner Award. Thank you for the partnership in helping us to represent veterans in need. We celebrate all that you do to support our nation’s heroes and their families. Founding Sponsor — Veterans’ Legal Career Fair Top 5 for Pro Bono Impact in the U.S. and Internationally — The American Lawyer, 2020 AMERICAS | EUROPE | ASIA
orrick.com
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2020 TVC LAW FIRM PRO BONO MISSION PARTNER AWARD
The Veterans Consortium Pro Bono Program congratulates Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe, LLP on their selection to receive the 2020 TVC Law Firm Pro Bono Mission Partner Award in recognition of their outstanding record of service to our nation’s veterans and their families, caregivers, and survivors. Orrick has a firmwide, longstanding commitment to social justice and impact. Nearly 100% of their U.S. lawyers contributed at least 20 hours of pro bono service in 2019. Orrick is also strongly committed to supporting veterans and their spouses, advocating for the veteran community in many ways. Under the leadership of Pro Bono Counsel Rene Kathawala, Orrick became a TVC Core Mission Partner. As part of this partnership, Orrick hosted a CAVC training, which was webcast to their offices in New York, Houston, Orange County, Santa Monica, San Francisco & Sacramento. Close to two dozen Orrick attorneys attended the training, and 85% of these new volunteers promptly took a case. To date, all outcomes have been successful. Orrick has also committed to continue to engage and encourage their attorneys to take our training and to represent veterans. Their passion for TVC’s work and commitment to pro bono service demonstrates that the firm of Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe, LLP has “gone above and beyond the call of duty” on behalf of our nation’s veterans.
THANK YOU & CONGRATULATIONS 19
We proudly support
Our Veterans
ButlerSnow.com
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2020 TVC CORPORATE PRO BONO MISSION PARTNER AWARD
The Veterans Consortium Pro Bono Program congratulates Amazon. com on their selection as our 2020 TVC Corporate Pro Bono Mission Partner, in recognition of their outstanding record of service to our nation’s veterans their families, caregivers, and survivors. Amazon has a strong commitment to military veterans and their spouses, and they have several initiatives which provide transitioning service members with professional training and hands-on experience in the civilian workforce. Many of their attorneys advocate for, and take on, pro bono cases representing veterans and their family members. Amazon attorneys, under the leadership of Senior Corporate Counsel Lloyd Chee, began to offer their pro bono services and to work on discharge upgrade cases in early 2018. After their attorneys attended several virtual trainings, Amazon committed to hosting an in-person training at their corporate headquarters in Seattle, Washington. This training was webcast to their international offices to promote our program and to encourage pro bono representation. To date, twenty-three Amazon attorneys have worked with TVC on discharge upgrade cases. These outcomes will have a profound impact on the lives of the veterans they assist, including the ability for them to receive the benefits and care they deserve. Amazon is a dedicated Mission Partner who has committed to continue to engage and encourage their attorneys to take our trainings and to represent veterans. Their passion for TVC’s work and commitment to pro bono service demonstrates that Amazon.com has “gone above and beyond the call of duty” on behalf of our nation’s veterans.
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Blank Rome LLP is proud to support the deeply important work of The Veterans Consortium and congratulates all the 2020 Pro Bono Mission Partner Award honorees on their much-deserved recognition.
Chicago • Cincinnati • Fort Lauderdale • Houston • Los Angeles • New York • Philadelphia Pittsburgh • Princeton • San Francisco • Shanghai • Tampa • Washington • Wilmington
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Honored to support
The Veterans Consortium www.vetsrep.com
The National Veterans Legal Services Program is proud to sponsor The Veterans Consortium
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Supporting Our Heroes Faegre Drinker proudly supports The Veterans Consortium and its mission to give unrepresented veterans the legal support they deserve.
Duane Morris is proud to support
THE VETERANS CONSORTIUM PRO BONO PROGRAM We commend TVC on its years of superior service to veterans, military service members and their families. Duane Morris LLP, a law firm with more than 800 attorneys in offices across the United States and internationally, is asked by a broad array of clients to provide innovative solutions to today’s legal and business challenges. For more information, please contact: Katharyn I. Christian McGee Pro Bono Counsel 30 South 17th Street | Philadelphia, PA 19103 215.979.1879 | kichristianmcgee@duanemorris.com www.duanemorris.com
Duane Morris LLP – A Delaware limited liability partnership
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Applause & admiration White & Case is proud to support The Veterans Consortium As a pioneering international law firm, we help our clients achieve their ambitions across the world’s developed and emerging markets.
whitecase.com/citizenship
Fish is proud to support The Veterans Consortium Pro Bono Program and we look forward to the 2020 TVC Mission Partner Awards. Now, more than ever, we are committed to providing pro bono services to the communities in which we live and work.
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Volunteer Opportunities Volunteer Opportunities
TVC FEDERAL VETERANS PRO BONO PROGRAM (Nationwide)
TVC FEDERAL PRO BONO PROGRAM This pro bonoVETERANS program provides representation (Nationwide) before thebono U. S.program Court ofprovides Appealsrepresentation for Veterans This pro Claims veterans havefor hadVeterans claims before (CAVC) the U. for S. Court of who Appeals unjustly deniedforbyveterans the Department Veterans Claims (CAVC) who haveofhad claims Affairs. trains & Department mentors volunteers to unjustly TVC denied by the of Veterans represent themtrains to regain benefits. Affairs. TVC & eligibility mentorsfor volunteers to represent them to regain eligibility for benefits. TVC DISCHARGE UPGRADE PROGRAM (Nationwide)
TVCbono DISCHARGE PROGRAM This pro programUPGRADE serves veterans who have (Nationwide) received an Other Than Honorable Discharge due This pro bono program serves veterans who have to conduct related to Post-Traumatic Stress received an Other Than Honorable Discharge due Disorder (PTSD), Traumatic Injury (TBI), Military to conduct related to Brain Post-Traumatic Stress Sexual Trauma (MST) and/or other mental health Disorder (PTSD), Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), Military issues. Sexual Trauma (MST) and/or other mental health issues. TVC VETERANS BENEFITS ADVOCACY PROGRAM (Nationwide)
TVC pro VETERANS BENEFITS ADVOCACY PROGRAM This bono program assists veterans who receive (Nationwide) aThis remand from the CAVC to pursue their claimreceive again pro bono program assists veterans who at the Board of Veterans Appeals (BVA). Trained a remand from the CAVC to pursue their claim again attorneys identify arguments at the Board of Veterans Appealsand (BVA).evidence Trained necessary to prevail at the BVA to the attorneys identify arguments andensure evidence veteran receives benefits and/or compensation necessary to prevail at the BVA to ensure the earned. veteran receives benefits and/or compensation earned. TVC VETERANS PRO BONO LEGAL CLINICS TVCTVC established and manages proCLINICS bono legal VETERANS PRO BONO two LEGAL clinics for veterans in the DC Metro Area. One clinic TVC established and manages two pro bono legal is available exclusively to women veterans and clinics for veterans in the DC Metro Area. One clinic staffed by female attorneys; the other clinic is for all is available exclusively to women veterans and veterans. TVC volunteer attorneys triage cases and staffed by female attorneys; the other clinic is for all provide resources. veterans. TVC volunteer attorneys triage cases and provide resources.
We train our TVC National Volunteer Corps to represent We train our TVCfamilies, National veterans, their Volunteer Corps to represent caregivers & survivors. veterans, their families, The Veterans Consortium will: caregivers & survivors. TheProvide Veterans Consortium will: high quality training to
volunteer attorneys nationwide; Provide high quality training to volunteer attorneys nationwide; Provide each volunteer with a screened case & litigation strategy Provide volunteer with a memo toeach ensure a successful screened case & litigation strategy outcome; memo to ensure a successful outcome; insurance (if Malpractice needed); Malpractice insurance (if needed);reference materials, Provide sample briefs and pleadings, prior Provide reference materials, decisions, casebooks, etc.; sample briefs and pleadings, prior decisions, casebooks, etc.; to all Provide seasoned mentors volunteers; Provide seasoned mentors to all volunteers; Provide independent medical opinions to succeed on appeals; Provide independent medical opinions succeed Fund andto assist in on appeals; establishing law school veterans Fund and assist in clinics; establishing law school veterans clinics; Internships & Externships Provide to law students; and Provide Internships & Externships to law students; and Manage pro bono legal advice & referral clinics. Manage pro bono legal advice & “This is one of the best run referral clinics. programs out there. The training
was top notch and the best mentors “This is one of the run are very knowledgeable programs out there.and Thehelpful.” training was top notch and the mentors are TVC National Volunteer Corps very knowledgeable and helpful.” Member TVC National Volunteer Corps Member
FOR MORE INFO, CONTACT OUTREACH AT FOR MORE INFO, (202) 733-3328 OR CONTACT OUTREACH AT OUTREACH@VETSPROBONO.ORG (202) 733-3328 ORUPDATED OCT 2020 OUTREACH@VETSPROBONO.ORG UPDATED OCT 2020
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