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In 2016, University of Southern California’s Center for Innovation and Research on Veterans and Military Families partnered with Loyola University Chicago’s School of Social Work to publish The State of the American Veteran: The Chicagoland Veterans Study which surveyed nearly 1,300 veterans in Cook, DuPage, Lake and Will counties. The study identified approximately 300,000 veterans in the area and found that many service members returning to Chicagoland after discharge are not prepared for the transition home and have a range of needs that cannot be easily addressed by a single organization.

A collaboration between the Community Law Center and the School of Social Work, the Loyola Veterans Practicum aims to bridge the gap in current services through a cross-disciplinary effort designed to better address local veterans’ social and legal needs.

Are you a law student interested in representing veterans in civil litigation?

Students should be eligible for their 711 license so that they can appear in court on their cases. Students enrolled in the four-credit course should expect to represent one or more veterans in family law matters. That representation will involve client interviews, drafting legal pleadings, and representing your clients at all court dates with your supervising attorney. The class meets weekly for the lecture component in addition to required weekly office hours that allow students to discuss individual casework with the clinic’s director. There is no application process so all students interested in taking the Veterans Practicum should plan to enroll at their enrollment time.

Are you a veteran or family member of a veteran seeking legal assistance in a civil matter?

Loyola’s Veterans Practicum provides pro bono legal representation and case management services to both qualifying veterans and their family members. Senior law students eligible for a 711 license will represent low-income veterans in civil legal matters under the supervision of a licensed attorney.

The types of cases handled by law student clinicians may include:

  • Guardianships (both minor guardianships and adult guardianships)
  • Divorces and Allocation of Parental Rights
  • Name Changes
  • Powers of Attorney
  • Wills
  • Small claims

While the legal services offered by the Veterans Practicum are at no cost, any court costs or filing fees that cannot be waived are the responsibility of the client.

Becoming a client

  • The Loyola Veterans Practicum is a member of IL-AFLAN which is a statewide hotlinethat provides legal information, advice, brief services and referrals to veterans, service members, national guard, reservists, and their spouses and dependents.
  • To qualify for services, clients must be 80% of Chicago Area Median Income(applies statewide), no dishonorable discharges and spouses or dependents can’t use services in legal action which are adverse to veteran/service member.
  • If you are seeking legal assistance, please call 855-IL-AFLAN(855-452-3526) to speak directly to an attorney who will provide you a referral to our legal clinic or one of the other network legal aid providers.

For more information: https://ilaflan.org/need-help/

Contact Us

Emily VaughanDirector
Philip H. Corboy Law Center
25 E. Pearson Street
Suite 1005
Chicago, IL 60611
Phone: 312.915.7745