The Bob Parsons Veterans Advocacy Clinic
Who We Are
The purpose of the Bob Parsons Veterans Advocacy Clinic is to educate law students about the issues facing veterans by providing pro bono legal services to veterans. The clinic experience trains students to think critically about their role as an attorney and strengthens their commitment to public service and professional responsibility.
General Updates
The Clinic continues to be a hub for the veterans community. The Clinic's work with veterans homeless shelters, social service providers, and the Baltimore City Veterans Treatment Court has earned The Bob Parsons Veterans Advocacy Clinic a reputation for excellence in veterans legal services. Students are excited about the cutting-edge legal clinic that serves our nation's military men and women, and are proud to serve those who have served our country. Student interest in the Clinic remains high, as it continues to operate at maximum capacity and maintains a waiting list.
- 16 students enrolled
- 2 faculty members: one full-time tenure-track; one clinical fellow with three-year contract
- 20* veterans served
- 5 clinic sponsored training sessions and events
- 10 organizational partnerships
*The Clinic served approximately 60 fewer veterans this year because our long term partner MCVET is experiencing financial difficulties and as a result we were unable to provide our services to the veterans connected to this organization. We have plans to partner with a new organization in the fall of 2019.
Our Curriculum
The Clinic helped start a motorcycle ride fundraiser for veterans, raising more than $900 to support pro bono legal services for veterans last year.
Students earn six credit hours and spend approximately 20 hours a week on Clinic work. Clinic work includes weekly seminars, discussion of cases in "case rounds," faculty-student team meetings, trial advocacy mock hearings, moots, client intake, fact investigation, legal research and writing, documentation, and reading assignments.
Our Cases
Clinic students are assigned cases the first week of class. Currently, the Clinic provides assistance with VA benefits and military discharge upgrades, and assists veteran defendants participating in the Baltimore City Veterans Treatment Court.
Legislative Advocacy
Students research and advocate for various legislative initiatives at the local, state, and federal level. The Clinic was involved in the planning and formation of the National Law School Veterans Clinic Consortium. The NLSVCC is a collaborative effort of the nation's law school legal clinics dedicated to addressing the unique legal needs of U.S. military veterans on a pro bono basis. The NLSVCC's mission is to gain support and advance common interests with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, U.S. Congress, state and local veterans service organizations, court systems, educators, and all other entities for the benefit of veterans throughout the country.