Christie Bhageloe, Esq. serves as the Director of The Veterans Consortium's Discharge Upgrade Program, which is generously sponsored by DAV Charitable Service Trust. The Discharge Upgrade Program team reviews discharge cases and primarily represents veterans who received an Other Than Honorable discharge due to misconduct related to Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Military Sexual Trauma, traumatic brain injury and other related mental health issues. TVC’s Discharge Upgrade team also recruits and trains pro bono attorneys to represent veterans before Discharge Review Boards and Boards for Correction of Military Records. Christie is delighted to have the opportunity to work for a nonprofit entirely dedicated to serving veterans.

Christie is a Florida native and a triple Gator, having received her B.A., M.A., and J.D. from the University of Florida.  During law school, Christie received summer fellowships from the Florida Bar Foundation to work at legal aid organizations, which cemented her desire to work in public interest law.  She has worked in the public interest field since her graduation from UF Law in 2010, including for Community Legal Services of Mid-Florida, the 9th Circuit Public Defender, and most recently Florida Legal Services, where she was the Director of Statewide Training. 

Christie has been accredited by the VA to represent veterans since 2011 and is also admitted to practice before the CAVC.  Christie has represented veterans at every level of the claims process, from initial claims to federal court.  She is particularly passionate about discharge upgrades, which can lead to life-changing outcomes for veterans, from access to VA health care to long overdue validation of their military service.  Helping veterans obtain and keep the benefits they have earned through their military service is her passion and life’s work. 

Christie is the proud mother of two teenage sons and enjoys traveling, exploring nature, photography, and reading.

To contact Christie or for more information on the Discharge Upgrade Program and/or The Veterans Consortium, please reach out to her at christie.bhageloe@vetsprobono.org.