Program Overview

Introduction to the Mason Veterans and Servicemembers Legal Clinic

The Mason Veterans and Servicemembers Legal Clinic (M-VETS) is a program offered by the Antonin Scalia Law School at George Mason University. This clinic enables students to assist active-duty members of the armed forces, their families, and veterans in a wide variety of administrative, litigation, and non-litigation matters.

Services Provided by M-VETS

• Medical and physical evaluation boards
• Appeals of denials of Department of Veterans Affairs disability compensation and educational claims
• Representation before the Board of Veterans' Appeals and Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims
• Applications for discharge upgrades or military records correction before the Boards for Correction of Military Records and Discharge Review Boards

Student Advisor Role

Student Advisors (SAs) in M-VETS play a crucial role in representing clients. They work under the supervision of the M-VETS Director and have the opportunity to apply their classroom knowledge and skills in real-world situations. SAs may conduct pre-hearing informal conferences with judges, present opening statements, perform direct examinations with clients, and deliver closing arguments before the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

Example Case

A Student Advisor in M-VETS represented the daughter of a Servicemember during a Department of Veterans Affairs Board of Veterans' Appeals hearing. The hearing involved an appeal of an incorrect award of Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits for the Servicemember's daughter while she was pursuing a higher-level college degree. The SA spent months preparing for the hearing and received positive feedback from the judge regarding her performance and preparation.

Learning Opportunities

M-VETS provides valuable learning opportunities for Student Advisors. They can observe hearings, participate in question-and-answer periods with judges, and work on a variety of cases under the supervision of experienced directors. This hands-on experience allows SAs to humanize how the law affects real people in practice and apply their knowledge and skills in a practical setting.