Veterans Legal Institute

VLI's goals are to holistically: 1) increase the quantity and quality of strategic, free legal aid to service members, 2) increase access to housing, healthcare, education, and employment, 3) to empower self-sufficiency for our military and veteran families, 4) to increase the number of highly trained attorneys practicing veteran benefit law, and 5) overcome the recruitment and retention crisis in public interest law with a strong internship program for law students. 6) Overcome barriers to communication, transportation, and isolation for veterans with physical and mental wounds of war, especially those in rural areas or who have difficulty with internet access.

Veterans can apply online, call the office and speak to a live person, attend one of VLI's many mobile legal clinics across Southern California, or be referred by wide-ranging collaborating agencies. VLI completes legal work in house and farms out specialized areas of the law to pro bono civilian attorneys from a variety of firms. Areas of law include (but are not limited to) discharge upgrades, VA pensions and healthcare access, eviction defense in landlord-tenant disputes, and family law services.

No veteran ever receives a bill or leaves empty handed.

Free legal services have continued without interruption during the pandemic. Clinics and other free legal services have been held virtually. This includes increased proactive communication by phone, email, Zoom, postal mail. For veterans who need additional compassionate support, they are invited to the VLI office to receive in person services. Veterans can show up to a clinic or reserve a spot in advance. Attorneys or volunteers greet the veteran, put them at ease, and begin the intake process. An initial application is filled out which requests the applicant's military history, income and basic case information. Those who fall within the eligibility of VLI as low income, within our geographic area, and have a case type that VLI services are selected. Those veterans who are not eligible for pro bono services are given general advice, counsel, and/or referral to attorneys who are veteran advocates. Veterans who require wrap around services are referred to evidence-based collaborators.

VLI is among the very few military-specific nonprofit organizations of its kind in the nation. It is uniquely positioned to serve the veteran community because, for among other reasons, the majority of its staff has military experience and a personal understanding of the foundational issues that interfere with a veteran's successful transition back into civilian life. VLI's structure includes a board of 19 directors from a wide range of military and civilian professionals. All reflect a passion for serving veterans, one family at a time. Pro bono legal services are provided with a staff of 22 that leverage a pro bono network of over 200 volunteers per year, giving over 10,000 hours, of which at least 80 are pro bono attorneys from solo and large firms. In 2023, VLI restored over $2.89 million in lump sum veterans benefits to disabled California veterans.

To date, VLI has served over 10,000 veterans and restored over six and a half million dollars in veterans benefits.

Established extensive network of pro bono attorneys to cover specialized areas of the law.

Benefited from over 200 volunteers a year giving over 10,000 hours in service.

Collaborated in VLI collaborates with over 80 organizations through leadership in the Orange County Veterans and Military Families Collaborative. Also, VLI is a partner in the Strong Families, Strong Children collaborative. SFSC is a consortium of five nonprofit partners (Child Guidance Center, Human Options, Children and Family Futures, Families Forward, and Veterans Legal Institute) bringing together a coordinated, community-based approach to provide an array of support services to underserved OC veteran and military families (including children). Services include: evidence-based mental health and trauma treatment; domestic violence and substance abuse prevention; housing; basic needs; legal assistance and advocacy; and program evaluation and outcome measurement.

Received "Multiple Activity Provider" status in the State of California for CLE, including veteran accreditation training.

VLI also is one of the very few public interest law firms in the nation dedicated to veterans and offers clinics in family law, estate planning, and veterans benefits which is not generally provided in legal aids.