(Pictured L-R: VLF Vice President Stephen Noona, M-VETS Director Timothy MacArthur, and VLF President Hon. Jane Marum Roush)

The Mason Veterans and Servicemembers Legal Clinic (“M-VETS”) was awarded a $30,000 grant from the Virginia Law Foundation (“VLF”) to support its new initiative, the M-VETS American Legion Post 139 Advice and Referral Clinic.  In partnership with American Legion Post 139, M-VETS opened a new office co-located in the newly redeveloped Post 139 Headquarters to provide free legal advice and referral services to the military community.  Staffed with a licensed attorney, the M-VETS Advice and Referral Clinic officially opened for clients in May 2023.

“We are incredibly grateful to the Virginia Law Foundation for their continued support of M-VETS and its generous grant to help fund the M-VETS American Legion Post 139 Advice and Referral Clinic,” M-VETS Director Timothy MacArthur said.  “This grant will enable us to build momentum in our new initiative while continuing our capital campaign to eventually hire a full-time attorney to staff the new office and expand clinic practice areas to serve more veterans and service members.”

In 2020, M-VETS began a capital campaign to secure funding to hire a third attorney to staff the new M-VETS office.  The tireless work of M-VETS staff and University development raised funds to hire a third attorney part-time.  However, the vision for the M-VETS office at Post 139 is to secure funding to hire a full-time attorney to provide legal consultations and direct legal representation, as well as expand the legal practice areas offered by the clinic.

“The services offered at the M-VETS American Legion Post 139 Advice and Referral Clinic complement the pro bono services offered,” said M-VETS Deputy Director Leigh Winstead.  “When applicants contact our offices looking for immediate legal advice for urgent matters, we can connect them with a licensed attorney and a free legal consultation the same week, if not the same day.  The peace of mind this provides to our clients who often face stressful legal matters affecting their daily lives is immeasurable.”

In honor of the award, M-VETS attended the Virginia Law Foundation Grant Recipient Luncheon on August 24, 2023, in Richmond, Virginia.  The event highlighted all 32 organizations, including M-VETS, who were awarded over $700,000 in grants collectively.  The Virginia Law Foundation supports initiatives and nonprofits throughout Virginia that align with its mission to promote the Rule of Law, access to justice, and law-related education.

M-VETS provides free legal services to veterans, service members, and their dependents in a variety of civil matters, including uncontested divorces, landlord/tenant matters, consumer protection, and contract disputes, as well as in military/VA administrative matters, including MEB/PEBs, Discharge Upgrades, Boards for Correction of Military Records, and VA disability compensation appeals.  M-VETS is currently accepting applications for appointments to the M-VETS American Legion Post 139 Advice and Referral Clinic:  https://mvets.law.gmu.edu/apply/

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