Colorado Lawyers for Colorado Veterans Established to Offer Free Legal Advice to Military Veterans

Colorado Lawyers for Colorado Veterans will offer free legal advice at the first of many clinics in Denver on Veteran's Day 2011.

The Colorado Bar Association developed Colorado Lawyers for Colorado Veterans to provide pro bono legal service to Colorado veterans, some active duty service members, and their families. The program will provide free legal advice through clinics held around the state and through no-cost or low-fee legal services to individuals who require further help.

The first free Denver legal services clinic will be held on Friday, November 11, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Bo Matthews Center, 3030 Downing Street. There will also be free clinics in Colorado Springs on November 11 and in Fort Collins on November 10.

The initial Denver event will be staffed by law students and Colorado attorneys. Challenge America, a Colorado-based service organization, will also be there to help guide veterans through other benefits available to them.

The program follows recommendations made by Chief Justice Michael Bender as part of the Chief Justice's Commission on the Legal Profession. Modeled after a similar program in Texas, it is being led by a joint collaboration between the Commission, CBA President-elect Mark Fogg, Wheeler Trigg O'Donnell partner John Vaught, CBA Young Lawyers Division Chair Benjamin Currier, CBA Executive Director Chuck Turner, and staff members of the Denver and Colorado bar associations.

Colorado Lawyers for Colorado Veterans is looking for volunteers to assist at future clinics across the state and attorneys to handle no-fee and low-fee cases to help veterans in need on an ongoing basis. Details here.

Wheeler Trigg O'Donnell is proud to have eight lawyers and several staff members who are veterans of the United States Army, Air Force, Navy and Marines. Among them are two Iraqi War veterans, two Vietnam veterans, four service academy graduates, a Rhodes Scholar and a Marine with the Bronze Star for Valor. It is in their honor and in service to all United States military veterans that WTO partner and Vietnam veteran John Vaught has dedicated time and energy to help establish Colorado Lawyers for Colorado Veterans.