Notre Dame Law School launches new Veterans Law Clinic

This fall, Notre Dame Law School will launch a new Veterans Law Clinic dedicated to providing free legal assistance to U.S. military veterans. The clinic will offer critical support to veterans while creating opportunities for law students to gain hands-on experience advocating for those who have served the nation.

“Our new Veterans Law Clinic is essential for two reasons: it provides students with the opportunity to apply what they’re learning in the classroom to real-world cases, and it serves veterans who need help navigating the complexities of the disability benefits system,” said G. Marcus Cole, the Joseph A. Matson Dean and Professor of Law. “At Notre Dame Law School, we firmly believe that anyone who has served our country deserves the benefits they’ve earned, and as Notre Dame Lawyers, we have a special obligation to ensure veterans receive those benefits.”

The clinic will help veterans obtain disability compensation from the Department of Veterans Affairs, including initial claims and appeals at all levels; establish service connections for medical conditions; and advocate for appropriate disability ratings from the VA. Beyond casework, the clinic will engage in policy initiatives and community outreach, with a particular focus on the niche area of litigating pre-separation medical discharge cases.

The new clinic will be led by Professor Caleb Stone, an experienced veterans’ lawyer and advocate, who will join Notre Dame Law School from William & Mary Law School on July 1.

The clinic will operate on a pro bono basis, offering legal services typically unavailable for free. “By offering these services free of charge, the clinic helps veterans avoid the costly fees associated with private legal counsel, providing life-changing support that can mean the difference between poverty and dignity,” said Stone.

Notre Dame Law students will play a central role in shaping the Veterans Law Clinic and will lead individual cases while conducting client interviews, legal research, document review, and brief writing, all under the guidance of licensed attorneys.

This hands-on experience not only helps students develop essential legal skills through real-world practice, but it also reinforces Notre Dame Law School’s Catholic mission and its commitment to educating “a different kind of lawyer” dedicated to service, ethics, and social responsibility.

Order of St. Thomas More members help to make clinics like these possible through support of the Law School’s priorities and emerging opportunities. Such generosity serves our community holistically—from our students to our veterans. Thank you.

Read the full article and watch the video about the Notre Dame Veterans Law Clinic shared by the Law School ›

Originally published by Notre Dame Law School on June 2, 2025