L.O.V.E’s mission is to address systemic problems facing the veteran community and to further the legal interests of veterans in need through outreach, community networking, policy advocacy, and direct client work.
The Bay Area accounts for the largest homeless veteran population in the nation. Working with Swords to Plowshares––a Bay Area-based nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting all veterans––L.O.V.E. members assist veterans in overcoming legal obstacles to obtain health care and other earned benefits.
L.O.V.E. hosts monthly in-person clinics during the academic year to meet with clients seeking to obtain health care benefits and compensation through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). L.O.V.E. also assists with phone intakes/screenings for veterans seeking legal assistance from Swords to Plowshares. Although members work primarily through these clinics and phone screenings, there may also be opportunities to provide legal research support for the Veterans Law Practicum at Berkeley Law.
Finally, L.O.V.E. is always on the lookout for new opportunities to support Veterans in need. Although we have many veteran law student members, military service is not required to join. If you want to be a part of an inclusive, affirming group of law students interacting with clients to achieve meaningful results in their lives, this is the SLP for you.
Supervision: Students will receive training from and be under the supervision of attorneys at Swords to Plowshares.
Time Commitment: There is a mandatory 2-hour training event before the first clinic, after which participants can expect a commitment of approximately 4-8 hours per month. There will also be a 1 hour lunch meeting towards the end of the semester. There may be opportunities for projects with variable time commitments as well.
For more information, please contact the student leaders at LOVE_SLP@berkeley.edu.