The veterans legal clinic at John Marshall provides the type of legal resources of which U.S. servicemembers are in a growing need.
That’s according to U.S. Sen. Mark Kirk (R-Ill.) and U.S. Rep. Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), who lauded the work of John Marshall’s Veterans Legal Support Center & Clinic (VLSC) at a national conference hosted by the school.
“I want our veterans to know that the John Marshall clinic is there for them, should they need legal support when dealing with an employer, the V.A. (U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs), or any other area where a veteran needs legal expertise and assistance,” Kirk said.
Duckworth echoed Kirk’s support of John Marshall’s work, as well as the push to expand legal and medical services to veterans nationally.
“I am proud of the work John Marshall Veterans Legal Support & Clinic is doing on behalf of our veterans,” Duckworth said. “This conference exemplifies their commitment to the Chicagoland community and veterans’ wellness everywhere.”
Duckworth and Kirk made the comments as John Marshall trained law school administrators and clinicians from across the country on how to establish, maintain and grow a veterans legal clinic. With the number of U.S. veterans on the rise, law schools are becoming more active in addressing their legal matters. The American Bar Association recently adopted a policy advocating the spread of law school clinics like the VLSC.
“In the wake of the secret wait lists and bad care uncovered at Hines V.A. in Chicago, veterans of Illinois need to know we have their backs,” U.S. Sen. Mark Kirk (R-Ill.) said. “The John Marshall Legal Support Center provides veterans with the legal backup they need should they face the kind of corruption witnessed at Hines V.A.”
Edward Hines, Jr. V.A. Hospital in Chicago is of multiple V.A. facilities that fell under scrutiny recently after allegations of corruption surfaced. Staff at Hines VA Hospital have been accused of attempting to cover up long wait times for patients seeking appointments and providing subpar medical care to patients.
