Military Discharge Upgrade CLE

  • 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
  • Eastern Time (US & Canada)
  • By: Urban Justice Center's Veteran Advocacy Project, Pro Bono Committee of the New York County Lawyers’ Association , Fordham Law School’s Feerick Center for Social Justice
  • Orrick, Herrington, & Sutcliffe LLP

Misconduct discharges from the Army have risen by 25 percent in the last four years alone. This statistic mirrors the rise in wounded soldiers. Too often misconduct or substance abuse that leads to less-than-honorable discharges is related to undiagnosed post-traumatic stress disorder and/or traumatic brain injury. This occurs in all branches of the military. Less-than-honorable discharges often limit former service members' access to benefits and may impede their employment or educational prospects. Most veterans have limited legal resources to apply for upgrades, and many encounter difficulty navigating the complex administrative procedures without representation.

The Urban Justice Center's Veteran Advocacy Project is pleased to announce the launch of its new Discharge Upgrade Clinic in partnership with the Pro Bono Committee of the New York County Lawyers' Association and Fordham Law School's Feerick Center for Social Justice. This new initiative provides pro bono legal assistance to veterans seeking to upgrade the characterization of their discharge from the military. Interested attorneys are invited to attend a CLE hosted by Orrick, Herrington, & Sutcliffe on September 18 from 9 AM to 12 PM.

The CLE will cover substantive discharge upgrade issues as well as information about representing veterans. Margaret Middleton, Executive Director of the Connecticut Veterans Services Center, will provide an overview of discharge upgrade administrative procedures and laws. Coco Culhane, Director of the Veteran Advocacy Project, will cover the unique issues related to representing veterans.

  • CLE Credit Comments: There is no charge for this CLE. Attendees are expected to accept a pro bono discharge upgrade case. The Urban Justice Center is a New York Accredited CLE Provider. Please register for the CLE by September 11, 2013. Email your contact information and specify if you are a NYCLA member (which is not required) to Brenda Tausch Lapora at blapora@urbanjustice.org.
  • Contact:
    Brenda Tausch Lapora
    Urban Justice Center's Veteran Advocacy Project
    646-459-3061
  • Website: www.urbanjustice.org
  • Attachment(s): DUC CLE FLYER.pdf