Veterans Advocacy Project
The Veterans Advocacy Project (VAP) at the University of Denver Sturm College of Law pairs individual military veterans with teams of Colorado attorneys and Denver Law students through externship opportunities with the Rocky Mountain Veterans Advocacy Project. These teams work primarily on VA disability benefit compensation cases at the regional level and up to the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims in Washington D.C., and on discharge upgrade cases. The VAP provides an experiential learning atmosphere, allowing students to earn six credit hours through a combined externship and classroom learning environment.
Students interested in applying must concurrently enroll in, or have completed one of the following:
Military and Veterans Law Practicum
Military Law and Veterans Advocacy
Apply for Services
The Veterans Advocacy Project’s services are limited to VA Disability Compensation cases and Discharge Upgrade claims. This application is necessary to be considered for services or scheduled for an appointment. Due to the volume of requests we receive, we will contact you if we need further information and think we may be able to assist you with your legal issues. Please be as specific as possible when answering these questions, as it will greatly assist in our efforts to serve you. While we wish to serve all Veterans, we must preference Veterans from Colorado.
"My time with the Veterans Advocacy Project, and more recently with the Rocky Mountain Veterans Advocacy Project, has opened my eyes to the hardships many veterans face while trying to obtain legal representation and benefits. As a law student, I was looking for an opportunity to gain legal experience while providing meaningful services to those in need. Having the opportunity to work directly with veterans on such important matters that substantially impact their lives has been a truly rewarding experience."
Marisa Deforest Denver Law, Class of 2022
News
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Community Impact
Sturm College of Law Veterans Advocacy Project Helps Veterans Regain Benefits
Clinic has recovered more than $16.2 million for Colorado veterans -
Community Impact
Sturm College of Law Veterans Advocacy Project Fights for Veterans' Benefits and Quality of Life
Clinic has recovered more than $7.2 million for Colorado veterans.
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Community Impact
DU Ranks in the Top 50 Best Colleges for Veterans
DU ranks 50th in the Best College for Veterans category in 2021. This boost reflects the University’s continued push to provide more programs and opportunities targeted at veterans and military personnel.
In the News
Breach of Honor
5280 Magazine, August 2017Veterans who leave the military with other-than-honorable discharges often are denied health care and other Veterans Affairs benefits. Yet many suffer from conditions—such as post-traumatic stress disorder—that could have contributed to the behaviors that got them kicked out in the first place. The University of Denver’s Veterans Advocacy Project wants to help.
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University of Denver Law Clinic Recovers More Than $7.2 Million for Colorado Veterans
Volunteers of America, September 2018In a small office on the second floor, a dedicated tranquility can be found – in the home of a life-changing law clinic that has been operating through the University of Denver’s Sturm College of Law for the last three years.
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An Honorable Charge
Denver Law Alumni Magazine, Spring 2017As the sister of a Navy pilot, Maggie Toth, JD’17, long has been sensitive to challenges facing America’s military veterans, whether those challenges involve securing benefits or receiving timely medical care.
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“These can be truly life-changing decisions for a veteran, and it is hard for veterans to find no-cost legal services in these areas, so it is an incredible opportunity to put a legal education into meaningful work. I entered into law in order to provide legal services to underserved populations and the Veterans Advocacy Project provided a very hands-on way to learn these skills in serving an incredibly deserving population.”
Alice Hansen Denver Law Graduate, 2020
