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The College of Law’s  (VLC) has been awarded a Justice for Heroes grant by the . This competitive grant provides funding for the VLC to deliver high-demand legal services to veterans in Central New York. The is one of just five law schools in New York state selected for this honor.

“This grant will enable the VLC to build upon its 10-year track record of delivering exceptional level services and representation to the veteran community and their families,” says , executive director of the Office of Clinical Legal Education, director of the VLC, teaching professor in the College of Law and a U.S. Army veteran.

“This grant program demonstrates New York state’s dedication to improving the lives of veterans and their ongoing support of law school outreach programs.”

With this funding, the VLC will expand its legal support for local veterans and launch a new initiative to serve military-connected students, faculty and staff at the University—a first-of-its-kind effort in higher education. The grant will also strengthen the College of Law’s capacity to provide legal representation in areas such as U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health and disability benefits, while simultaneously training the next generation of veteran-focused legal advocates.

“The Veterans Legal Clinic exemplifies our commitment to experiential learning, community service, and public interest law,” says Terence J. Lau L’98, dean of the College of Law. “We are proud of the clinic’s impact and grateful to the Department of Veterans’ Services for supporting this important work.”

“Working in the VLC has been one of the most meaningful experiences of my law school journey,” says Raul Rosique L’27, a student attorney and U.S. Navy veteran. “This grant will help ensure more veterans get the legal support they deserve, while giving students like me the chance to serve those who’ve served our country.”

The Veterans Legal Clinic represents veterans and their families in claims for VA benefits and military discharge upgrades. Student attorneys, under faculty supervision, gain hands-on experience with real clients, navigating federal agencies and honing their legal skills—all while learning the value of pro bono service and engaging directly with military culture.