We are excited to announce that the Paul Lomio Veterans Legal Assistance Program (VLAP) at SLS is continuing to serve Bay Area veterans for its second year. The program provides pro bono legal services in partnership with Swords to Plowshares, local attorneys, and the Palo Alto and Menlo Park VA clinics.

Last year, fifteen SLS students staffed thirteen pro bono legal clinics at the Palo Alto VA Hospital and Menlo Park VA clinic. The legal clinics helped dozens of local veterans receive free legal support in dealing with their VA benefits or military discharge claims. Under the supervision of staff attorneys from Swords to Plowshares, VLAP student volunteers interviewed veteran clients when they arrived at the legal clinic and briefed pro bono attorneys on each client’s case. Student volunteers also conducted follow-up for each client and made referrals to outside legal aid organizations for legal needs that exceeded the scope of our clinics. 

VLAP was recently approved for its second year of operation.  The VLAP clinics will accept walk-in clients from 12:00pm to 1:30pm on the first Wednesday (Menlo Park VA) and third Wednesday (Palo Alto VA) of each month. We are also in the midst of expanding our pro bono program to provide additional opportunities for student engagement (stay tuned!). Please contact Christina Neitzey (cneitzey@stanford.edu) or Vince Mazzurco (vmazzu@stanford.edu) with questions about VLAP, or visit us at the Levin Center’s Pro Bono Fair 3:30-5:30pm on Sep. 15 in Crocker Garden.