The clinic provides students with the opportunity to offer legal assistance to low-income veterans in New York City, while gaining a range of legal skills under the supervision of experienced attorneys (members of NYLS's adjunct faculty) at NYC-area legal services organizations.

The course focuses on poverty law, including but not limited to housing, family, access to public benefits, wills and other advanced directives, and civil rights. The course includes a two-credit classroom seminar, focusing on poverty law, veteran-specific legal issues and direct legal services skills. Veteran-specific legal issues include issues around discharge status and upgrades; service-connected disability benefits; VA pensions and other VA benefits; veterans' preferences under state and local laws; veterans housing programs; and the veterans homelessness crisis.

In addition, students will complete field work on veterans' cases. Students should expect to spend a total of 16 hours per week on course work. This is a one semester course offered in the fall or spring for four credits.

Approved for the Experiential Learning Requirement. Enrollment is limited. Registration is binding. Application is required, and can be found on the Office of Clinical and Experiential Learning section of the NYLS Portal.

Recommended for the following Professional Pathways: Family Law; Government/Public Sector; General Practice – Litigation/Dispute Resolution.

4 Credits