Featured Area: Supporting Veterans
At Skadden, we are proud to demonstrate our unwavering commitment to veterans through comprehensive legal services and results-driven pro bono initiatives. Our attorneys and business services professionals have made a significant impact by providing critical assistance to those who have served our country and the organizations that support them.
Over the past decade, we have provided legal assistance to more than 450 individual veterans and supported 17 veterans-focused nonprofit organizations.
Our Impactful Work: Key Highlights
Veterans Enterprise Initiative
This innovative pro bono program is dedicated to supporting U.S. military veterans as they transition from service to entrepreneurship. Through the program, Skadden [— in partnership with the Small Business Administration — ] will provide at least $50 million in pro bono legal services to help veterans create, sustain and grow successful small businesses — strengthening the economy, creating jobs and driving innovation. Read our program announcement.
Submit an Intake Form for the Veterans Enterprise Initiative
Collaborative Clinics and Workshops
We regularly join forces with our corporate clients to host clinics and workshops designed to help veterans navigate the complexities of VA benefits. Our volunteers assist with applications, disability rating increases, appeals of claim denials, overpayment cases, survivors’ benefits and issues related to terminated or reduced benefits.
Veterans Record Review Project
In partnership with a corporate client and a legal services organization, we supported a veterans record review initiative. Volunteers received in-depth training to analyze and summarize evidence supporting claims for VA service-connected benefits, Social Security benefits or discharge upgrades. Skadden attorneys and business services professionals reviewed military and medical records, created detailed chronologies and prepared summaries to help the legal services organization assess case eligibility.
Military Mondays Legal Clinic
From August 2016 to March 2020, we collaborated with nine corporations to address a wide range of legal needs for veterans, including Social Security disability applications, housing issues, child support modifications and advanced life planning. Volunteers assisted 382 veterans across 44 monthly Military Mondays legal clinics at the Manhattan VA hospital, until the program concluded due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Discharge Upgrades
Together with multiple legal services organizations, Skadden volunteers review and screen files of veterans who have applied for pro bono assistance upgrading their discharge status. Skadden attorneys also represent eligible veterans on full discharge upgrade petitions to the relevant Discharge Review Board or Board for Correction of Military Records. A discharge upgrade may help veterans receive VA benefits and health care, improve employment opportunities and restore reputation and self-esteem. Many clients served through this project have post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injuries or other mental health conditions that are related to military service.
Recognition
In November 2022, Skadden was honored with the Pro Bono Partner of the Year award by Swords to Plowshares. This recognition celebrated our contribution of over 1,000 pro bono hours to the organization’s Veterans Pro Bono Program and our support in funding three Skadden Fellows whose projects tackled injustices and barriers faced by underserved veterans.
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Our steadfast commitment to veterans and the organizations that serve them is a reflection of our core pro bono values: service and community impact. We remain dedicated to making a positive difference in the lives of veterans and their families.