The announcement was made April 9 at a press conference held on the 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock campus as part of $12.75 million in federal funding secured for various programs and research. While in Little Rock, Senator Boozman also visited the law school where he attended a Veterans Legal Clinic class, met with students and faculty, and discussed their work providing legal services to Arkansas veterans. Students also engaged the senator with thoughtful questions about his background, public service, and work on issues affecting veterans, creating a meaningful exchange about the role of legal advocacy in supporting those who have served.

The Veterans Legal Services Clinic serves former servicemembers who have experienced service-related injuries or trauma, offering legal representation in VA disability compensation appeals and discharge upgrade cases. Under the supervision of a VA-accredited attorney, Bowen students in the clinic gain hands-on legal experience while providing meaningful service to veterans in need.

鈥淭his vital investment in Bowen鈥檚 Veterans Legal Services Clinic reflects a powerful truth: public legal education can and must serve the public good,鈥� said Colin Crawford, dean of the law school. 鈥淏y expanding access to legal support for those who served our country鈥攎any of whom face complex bureaucratic and personal hurdles鈥攚e uphold our mission to train ethical, service-oriented lawyers. I am grateful to Senator Boozman for recognizing the importance of this work and ensuring that veterans in Arkansas receive the assistance they deserve.鈥�

As one of only a handful of legal clinics in the nation that offer a pro bono resource center along with their clinic, Bowen is able to assist over 200 veterans a year facing VA and civil legal issues.

鈥淓stablishing a full-service legal clinic for veterans housed at the Bowen School of Law will help ensure Arkansans who have served our nation can access reliable and quality legal support,鈥� said Boozman. 鈥淚鈥檓 pleased to have championed this funding and expand upon the resources Arkansas veterans can depend on through a trusted entity such as 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock, and I look forward to seeing its impact unfold in the years to come.鈥�

Senator Boozman serves on the Senate Appropriations Committee and has long supported veterans’ issues and public legal services.

Zach Baumgarten, director of the Veterans Legal Services Clinic, expressed appreciation for the expanded support.

鈥淭he Veterans Legal Services Clinic and Pro Bono Center are honored to receive this federal appropriation, and we are grateful to Senator Boozman and his staff for their support,鈥� Baumgarten said. 鈥淭his funding will allow us to expand our statewide program and strengthen outreach so veterans in every Arkansas county know they can turn to Bowen for help with VA disability claims, discharge upgrades and other civil legal needs. It is a meaningful way to give back to those who have served.鈥�

The federal investment supports Bowen Law鈥檚 core mission of advancing access to justice, public service, and professionalism. As part of its nationally respected clinical program, the Veterans Legal Services Clinic reinforces the law school鈥檚 commitment to community-centered legal training and responsive legal education.

About the 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock William H. Bowen School of Law
Located in Arkansas鈥檚 capital city, the 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock William H. Bowen School of Law provides a nationally recognized, practice-ready legal education deeply connected to the state鈥檚 legal system. With a strong emphasis on access to justice, public service, and professionalism, Bowen鈥檚 hands-on approach is grounded in mentorship and real-world experience. Graduates are prepared to lead in courtrooms, boardrooms, and communities across Arkansas and beyond.

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The Veterans Legal Services Clinic (VLSC) at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock William H. Bowen School of Law has won a case involving benefits owed from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to a veteran with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The client, a United States Army veteran from Arkansas, has been awarded more than $150,000 in VA benefits that they had previously been denied.

Under the leadership of Rebecca Feldmann, licensed and VA-accredited attorney, assistant professor of law, and director of the VLSC at the law school, two students 鈥� Elizabeth Kimble and Jake Mason 鈥� represented the veteran who suffered a military sexual trauma (MST) and was later diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

鈥淥ur purpose is two-fold,鈥� said Feldmann. 鈥淲e represent veterans who have been injured or disabled during their military service, specifically those with PTSD or a traumatic brain injury, but there鈥檚 also an educational purpose to this clinic,鈥� she says. 鈥淪tudents taking the clinic learn the intricacies of veterans law, while developing the tools of advocacy that they will use in any area of practice.鈥�

The Legal Clinic operates as a law firm within the Bowen Law School, giving students practical, hands-on experience in seven different practices of law, and offers legal aid services to Arkansans free of charge. The VLSC is one of the seven programs within Bowen鈥檚 Legal Clinic.

鈥淏efore coming to the VLSC, our client had previously tried to get VA compensation and was denied several times,鈥� Feldmann said. 鈥淲hen she came to us, our students, six in total, under my supervision, were able to help her file an appeal, get her case expedited on the docket, and represent her at the Board of Veterans鈥� Appeals hearing.鈥�

In a recent decision, the Veterans Law Judge ruled that sufficient evidence linked the client鈥檚 PTSD diagnosis to their MST. As a result of the decision, the veteran will receive more than $150,000 in back benefits owed as well as a regular monthly payment for disability compensation moving forward.

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