Each quarter, The Veterans Consortium recognizes a “VIP” – Volunteer Inspiring Pro Bono. TVC values all our volunteers and wishes to recognize those who inspire others.

Our Volunteer Inspiring Pro Bono (VIP) for March is Ivory Narcisse. We selected Ivory for this recognition because of her outstanding work representing veterans before the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veteran Claims and her devotion and commitment to her clients which continues after remand to the Board of Veterans Appeals (BVA). Ivory has had successful outcomes in all six of her TVC cases and is currently working on her seventh case. Notably, she remained with all six of her clients on remand to ensure continuity and success for her clients. Remaining with a client after a remand to the BVA can make all the difference in the outcome for a veteran.

In 2018 Ivory was looking for a pro bono opportunity while on hiatus from her law firm as she stayed home to raise her two young children. A friend, who happened to be a TVC volunteer told her about a pro bono opportunity to represent veterans at the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims. As a military spouse herself, this opportunity resonated with her and Ivory attended a TVC CAVC training in Austin, Texas in 2018.

During her legal career, Ivory prosecuted white collar crimes, litigated family court matters, and performed transactional work for a mid-size firm. She had never practiced administrative law and she was surprised to learn how much she enjoyed it. “Working on TVC cases opened my eyes to a new area of law that I’d never practiced before.” Administrative Law was so appealing to Ivory that she decided to pursue veterans’ law as a career and now has her own practice representing clients at VA Regional Offices, the Board of Veteran Appeals, and at the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, while continuing her pro bono work with TVC.

Ivory feels strongly that veterans deserve to be heard. “Many veterans seeking VA disability contend with difficult health conditions that have altered their quality of life and financial stability. Veterans have reported that navigating VA’s disability system is challenging, frustrating, disappointing, and sometimes, has left them feeling unappreciated for their services to our country.  TVC has allowed me the opportunity to listen to those veterans who felt unheard, to express appreciation to those who felt disbelieved or unappreciated, and to serve those who first served us.”

“This recognition of Ivory is well deserved and much overdue. I am honored to have her as part of the TVC family and to have the privilege of working with her. Her dedication to our clients is evident in her successful outcomes and her decision to remain with each of her clients at the BVA. She is truly a Volunteer Inspiring Pro Bono!” Courtney Smith, Senior Director CAVC Practice.

Ivory earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance from McNeese State University. Initially working in the banking industry, she later became a finance analyst for an international oil and gas corporation. Subsequently, she graduated magna cum laude from Southern University Law Center with her juris doctor degree. During law school, she was on Moot Court, served as a teacher’s assistant for Legal Writing, and volunteered in the local community.

Past VIPs

• Alan Feigenbaum, Esq.
• Christopher A. Porco, Esq.
• Kamaria Davis, Esq.
• Heidi Lunasin, Esq.
• The Honorable Bob Dole
• Amy B. Kretkowski, Esq.
• Lloyd Chee, Esq.
• Rene Kathawala, Esq.
• Desmarais LLP
• Falen LaPonzina, Esq.
• Various Law Firms
• Doug Micheel, Esq.
• Professor Stacey-Rae Simcox, Esq.
• Layi Oduyingbo, Esq.
• Duane Morris LLP
• Valerie Daye, Esq.
• Javier Centonzio, Esq.
• Michael Just, Esq.
• Caitlin Tweed, Esq. & Ryan Eletto, Esq.
• Schiff Hardin LLP
• Justus Getty, Esq.
• Katy Spicer, Esq. & David Bean, Esq.
• Jon Hollis, Esq.
• Jonathan Ulrich, Esq.
• Alexandra Curran, Esq.
• Sean Twomey, Esq.
• John Lynch, Esq.
• Robert Jackson, Esq.
• Collen Miller, Esq.
• Joshua W. Carmel, Esq.
• Jennifer Librach Mall
• Adam R. Hess
• Andréa M. Augustus, Esq.
• W. Douglas Berry, Esq.
• Leo Dombrowski, Esq.
• Diane Hester, Esq.
• Kenneth D. Crawford
• Michael J. Nardotti
• Christopher Tyson
• Alan A. Pemberton
• Jill Mitchell-Thein
• Jim Carlsen and Mike Kail
• John Malsbary
• Vincent Petrocelli
• Jen Wagman
• Tommy Smith