Orrick Named NVLSP’s 2025 Pro Bono Partner of the Year

Since 2010, we have partnered with the National Veterans Legal Services Program to advocate on behalf of more than 65 veterans in Board of Veteran Appeals cases, combat-related special compensation cases, discharge upgrades and military sexual trauma cases. In the last two years alone, more than 100 Orrick lawyers have collaborated with NVLSP to represent 25 veterans and their families.

Erica: I'm a native New Yorker, and I come from communities where people have stories and oftentimes, they're not heard. I'm a firm believer that just because you lack the resources does not mean that you should not have an opportunity to be heard.

Rochelle: The National Veterans Legal Services Program is a national nonprofit that assists veterans to obtain the benefits they have earned from their service. All of our services are provided without charge to the veteran, family, or survivors.

Nick: My time serving in the Marine Corps was one of the most meaningful times of my life. The shared sense of purpose, camaraderie, overcoming difficult challenges together and supporting one another are values I carry with me today. And working with NVLSP, helping veterans get benefits they are entitled to, is just another opportunity to do that.

Erica: They literally put their lives on the line and there are so many things that happen to them on the back end that often get neglected, and I think the work that we do here gives them an opportunity to feel like they're not forgotten.

We have a client that we're currently working with. He is a veteran. He served for over 20 years in the armed forces. During his service he was repeatedly exposed to toxins. Despite that and the conditions that he ended up developing because of that exposure, including cancer and some other really life-threatening illnesses, he was denied his benefits due to a lot of inadequacies in records, insufficient medical documentation.

Our client was devastated. He couldn't understand why he would not get at least some type of financial compensation. It made him feel like the system failed him. However, once we stepped in and I spoke to him on the phone and I walked him through what we're doing and how we're advocating for him, you could hear just the vivacity in his voice. He's getting an opportunity to get what he truly does deserve when he had given up hope. It really encourages you to give it your all.

You are in a position where you are owning the case, you are leading it, you are oftentimes actually getting some trial experience. It's a really great opportunity to propel you professionally in a way that oftentimes you don't get until you're a bit more senior in your career.

Nick: I would encourage any colleagues to work with the NVLSP whenever they have the opportunity to do so. The work is important and it directly helps veterans' lives. Sometimes a helping hand from a lawyer who's willing to put in the work is all that is needed. When it does go through and the veteran gets the benefits they're entitled to, it's very rewarding.

We're honored to be NVLSP's 2025 Pro Bono Partner of the Year. We're grateful for this partnership and look forward to continuing our work together in support of those who have served our country. Special thanks to Rene Kathawala for his leadership of this partnership and to Eric Shumsky for his service on NVLSP's board.