King County, UW Law Partner for Free Veteran Civil Legal Clinic

By Dow Constantine, originally posted by King County on Medium.

Today King County Executive Dow Constantine and the University of Washington School of Law announced a new partnership to open a free civil legal services clinic for veterans, servicemembers, and their families.

Starting in early 2025, law students will work with the Veterans Clinic to provide free legal advice, representation, and services to veterans seeking benefits from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and other legal assistance.

“The Veterans Clinic not only provides free civil legal services for veterans and their families, helping those who have served our country secure the benefits they deserve, but it helps to train and create a network of qualified attorneys specializing in the needs of veterans,” said Executive Constantine. “After completing their training, with the expertise gained by working in the clinic, these future lawyers can continue to serve King County’s veteran community.”

Filing a claim for veterans’ benefits can be a complex process. It involves navigating intricate paperwork, understanding eligibility criteria, and meeting specific documentation requirements. Veterans with disabilities may also encounter further difficulty navigating the claims process and require the assistance of someone trained to file or appeal claims or request the correction of documents or military records.

The law students will be trained to understand the complexities of the veteran service system to ensure claims are accurately and completely filed, reducing the likelihood of delays or denials.

“As the first law school in Washington state, now in our 125th year, our Clinical Law Program has a 45-year history of service to communities in need, including the veteran population. Through the new UW Veterans Clinic, twelve to fifteen law students each academic year will engage in direct, continuous pro bono representation of King County veterans,” said Tamara F. Lawson, Toni Rembe Dean and professor of law at the University of Washington School of Law. “Our Clinical Law Program is well situated to handle veterans’ cases that require extensive factual and legal research, and we are well positioned to handle complex cases, work with accredited VSO representatives in support of initial claims and prepare subsequent appeals.”

Veterans can schedule an appointment with the clinic to receive benefits claims assistance and support in obtaining and correcting military records, including the corrections necessary to substantiate benefit claims or correct an injustice in the military record, such as separation due solely to gender or sexuality.

The clinic will also help veterans, current servicemembers, and their families with eligibility requirements and available benefits, submission of initial claims, gathering the necessary documentation, navigating the appeal process for denied claims, and connection to resources to address other legal issues outside of Veterans Affairs claims.

The Veterans Clinic is funded by the Veterans, Seniors, and Human Services Levy, VSHSL. The VSHSL was renewed by King County voters for the fourth time in August 2023, by the highest approval rating in its history.

This new investment will help meet the increasing need for legal assistance in obtaining veteran benefits.

“I appreciate King County for funding the University of Washington School of Law Veterans Clinic through the Veterans, Seniors, and Human Services Levy. My office collaborated closely with the Department of Community and Human Services for over a year to plan for the launch of the funding opportunity, and I am excited to see our vision come to life at the University of Washington,” said Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson. “This investment will provide crucial, high-quality legal services to King County veterans and their families and address the significant need for veterans’ legal assistance. By involving the law school in this work, we are both helping veterans today and developing law students’ expertise for their upcoming careers. I look forward to this partnership with the University of Washington to serve those who served and train law students for their future.”

The Veterans Clinic will also partner with the King County Veterans Program, KCVP, to join its connected network of veteran-serving partners.

KCVP is a program within King County’s Department of Community and Human Services that convenes regional veteran-serving partners at its Northgate and Tukwila offices. The program delivers equitable opportunities for empowering veterans, current servicemembers, and their families to achieve their greatest potential by removing barriers and providing financial, housing, employment, behavioral health, wellness, and other supportive services.

Details on how veterans can connect with the Veterans Clinic and make an appointment will be shared by UW Law's Clinical Law Program.