The Veterans Law Clinic gives law students hands-on experience representing veterans seeking disability benefits, discharge upgrades, and related legal relief.
Veterans Law Clinic
Message from the Clinic Director
Welcome to the Veterans Law Clinic.
At the Veterans Law Clinic, we have the privilege of standing beside veterans as they seek the benefits, recognition, and relief they have earned through their service. Many of the veterans we serve face complicated legal and administrative systems, and our work is rooted in a simple belief: access to earned benefits should not depend on a person’s ability to navigate that process alone.
Under faculty supervision, certified legal interns work directly with clients to review records, develop case strategies, prepare written submissions, and advocate before agencies, boards, and tribunals. Through this work, students learn that strong advocacy requires careful preparation, clear communication, and deep respect for each client’s story.
Each case calls students to listen closely, prepare thoroughly, and advocate with purpose. In doing so, they help veterans pursue the benefits and recognition connected to their service while learning what it means to practice law with competence and conscience.
Stephen Valentine
Clinic Director and Supervising Attorney
Student Information
The Veterans Law Clinic provides students with practical experience in veterans’ benefits law, administrative advocacy, and client-centered representation.
Info Accordions
- Hands-on experience representing veterans in benefits, discharge upgrade, and related administrative matters under faculty supervision
- Team-based casework, with students typically handling one to three matters during the semester depending on case complexity
- Experience analyzing military records, medical records, service records, statutes, regulations, case law, and agency materials
- Practical skill development in client communication, fact investigation, legal research, case planning, written advocacy, and preparation for administrative proceedings
- A focus on professionalism, collaboration, careful case management, and client-centered advocacy for veterans and their families
Under faculty supervision, students will:
- Represent veterans and their families in benefits claims, discharge upgrade matters, and related legal issues
- Review military records, medical records, service records, statutes, regulations, case law, and agency materials
- Interview and counsel clients with professionalism, empathy, and respect
- Develop case strategies based on each client’s service history, records, goals, and legal needs
- Draft client letters, legal memoranda, declarations, benefits submissions, and other administrative filings
- Communicate legal options, next steps, and case strategy clearly to clients, supervising attorneys, and decision-makers
- Apply veterans law and administrative procedures to real client matters
- Practice ethical lawyering, including competence, confidentiality, diligence, and professionalism
- Build practical skills in fact investigation, records review, legal analysis, written advocacy, oral communication, and administrative practice
Through this work, students develop the skills needed to advocate for veterans and their families while helping clients pursue the benefits, recognition, and support connected to their service.
- Completion of Law 8151: Veterans Benefits Law
Potential Client Information and Clinic Services
The Veterans Law Clinic serves low-income veterans seeking assistance with disability compensation, discharge upgrades, VA Character of Discharge determinations, and related administrative matters.
Info Accordions
Services provided by the Veterans Law Clinic may include:
- Case assessment
- Client counseling
- Legal research
- Review of military, medical, service, and agency records
- Document preparation
- Written advocacy
- Benefits-related submissions
- Representation before the appropriate administrative agency or board
- Appeals before the Board of Veterans’ Appeals, where appropriate
All legal work is performed by certified legal interns under faculty supervision. Legal representation is not automatic and depends on Clinic capacity, case type, timing, and the availability of certified legal interns.
The Veterans Law Clinic serves veterans and, in appropriate matters, their family members who need assistance navigating the administrative systems connected to military service and veterans’ benefits.
The Clinic may assist:
- Veterans seeking disability compensation and other VA benefits
- Veterans pursuing discharge upgrades or character-of-discharge determinations
- Veterans seeking review of administrative decisions affecting benefits or eligibility
- Veterans and family members facing legal issues related to military service or veterans' benefits
Clinic Highlights
Info Accordions
A $100,000 grant from the Duke Energy Foundation established the Private Booker T. Spicely Endowed Scholarship Fund to support NCCU Law students enrolled in the Veterans Law Clinic. The fund honors Spicely’s legacy while supporting students who advocate for veterans in matters involving benefits, legal rights, and access to justice.
This feature highlights Commissioner Stephen J. Valentine’s leadership and the Veterans Law Clinic’s work serving veterans through benefits claims, appeals, discharge upgrades, and community-centered advocacy.
NCCU School of Law hosted the Private Booker T. Spicely Symposium to explore justice, civil rights, and the legacy of a U.S. Army soldier whose story continues to inspire advocacy for veterans and underserved communities.
Contact Information
Info Accordions
For questions about clinic services, eligibility, or appointments, please contact the NCCU Veterans Law Clinic:
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 919-530-7166
We are committed to providing professional, community-centered service and responding to inquiries in a timely manner.