TO APPLY FOR OUR SERVICES:
Mason Veterans and Servicemembers Legal Clinic (M-VETS) representation of active duty servicemembers, veterans and dependent family members of active duty members, is limited to 1) civil matters such as negotiation and litigation in consumer protection, family law (uncontested divorce, step-parent adoptions, and name change matters), landlord-tenant, and contract issues, ONLY in the courts of Northern Virginia (Alexandria, Arlington, Fairfax, Prince William, Loudoun/Fauquier & Stafford Counties); and 2) administrative and military law and entitlement matters, Medical/Physical Evaluation Board representation, VA entitlements (other than initial claims for service connection) and service-connection or rating appeals, and discharge upgrade applications.
Typically, upon receipt of an application for legal assistance, we will review it to determine if it is a matter we may be able to provide future assistance with. You will thereafter be notified if we believe we can or cannot begin assisting you. If we believe the matter presented is a matter that we can assist you with your application will be assigned to a M-VETS student advisor to complete an initial review and assessment, typically conducted either by phone or in person with you, the applicant. If following the review and assessment, we believe this is still a matter for which we can provide representation, we will enter into an engagement agreement. If at that time, we do not feel that M-VETS can provide you with representation, we will make every attempt to refer you to another legal services provider.
You are NOT a client of M-VETS, nor do we represent you in any capacity, UNLESS AND UNTIL a letter of engagement is signed by you and countersigned by the Director.
M-VETS does NOT accept criminal or contested family law matters (this means the parties cannot agree on how to divide property or decide on the custody or visitation terms for minor children).
TO APPLY FOR OUR AMERICAN LEGION 139 SERVICES:
In addition to providing direct representation of active duty service members, veterans, and dependents, M-VETS operates an advice & referral legal clinic located at American Legion Post 139 in Arlington, Virginia. Applicants for services at the advice & referral clinic will not be provided with direct representation in their legal matters. Instead, approved applicants will meet with a licensed attorney to receive a 30-minute legal consultation and/or referrals to organizations that may be able to provide direct representation. Applicants must apply online through the M-VETS website, and an in-person or virtual appointment time will be provided to approved applicants via email.