Finding a Lawyer For Your Case at the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims
Frequently Asked Questions About Finding a Lawyer
- Once I have filed my appeal at the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, where do I find a lawyer for my case?
- What will I have to pay for a lawyer?
- How do I ask the Pro Bono Program to help me find a lawyer?
- Once I have applied for a free Program lawyer, what happens?
- What will a Pro Bono Program lawyer do for my case?
1. Once I have filed my appeal at the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, where do I find a lawyer for my case?
To find a lawyer for your appeal to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, you can Apply for Services from the Veterans Consortium Pro Bono Program and find out if you are eligible for free representation. You may also contact us at:
The Veterans Consortium Pro Bono Program
(888) 838-7727 (toll-free); press option 3
(202) 628-8164, press option 3
intake@vetsprobono.org
2. What will I have to pay for a lawyer?
The Veterans Consortium Pro Bono Program is 100% free--you will never have to pay for services from us. No one from the Pro Bono Program will ever ask you for money or any portion of your benefits.
3. Please fill out our forms so we can review your case:
Our Forms:
- The Engagement Agreement & Power of Attorney Form (Form A) gives the Pro Bono Program permission to read your VA claims file in order to evaluate your case. It also allows our Program to ask the Court for more time, if needed.
- The Filing Fee Status Form (Form B) helps us determine your financial eligibility for our Program.
- The General and Demographic Information Form (Form C) is optional and helps us fulfill our grant requirements in order to better serve more veterans and their loved ones.
Complete the forms, sign them, and return them to:
Veterans Consortium Pro Bono Program
2101 L Street, NW, Suite 225
Washington, DC 20037
Fax: (202) 628-8169
intake@vetsprobono.org
4. Once I have applied for a free Program lawyer, what happens?
If you meet the financial eligibility requirements, the Pro Bono Program will review your case. We will then either:
- Assign a lawyer who will provide you free legal representation for the appeal; or,
- Notify you of the reasons why we are unable to provide you with one of our attorneys and let you know of your options moving forward. One of those options is our Helpline. Our Helpline is a program where you are able to call to speak with one of our attorneys about any questions you have regarding your case.
5. What will a Pro Bono Program lawyer do for my case?
Our pro bono attorneys will:
- Talk with the Court staff and VA lawyers for you.
- Prepare paperwork for the Court.
- Review laws and regulations relating to your case.
- Prepare written legal arguments about why the BVA decision was incorrect.
- Ask the Court to hear an oral argument about your case.
- Attend meetings about your case as necessary.
- Keep you informed about the status of your appeal.
How to Appeal Your Claim & FAQs
- Filing an Appeal
- Finding a Lawyer
- As Your Case Progresses
- The Court's Decision
This website is intended to provide information to individuals who have an active appeal at the US Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims. It is based on the Veterans Consortium’s understanding of the Court’s Rules of Practice and Procedure as of this posting, August (2021). Those rules are subject to change, but an appellant will receive a complete set of current Rules of Practice and Procedure from the clerk of the Court after the Notice of Appeal is filed.
The current Rules of Practice and Procedure are also available at the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims website.