Veterans Coffee & Counsel Program

The Veterans Coffee & Counsel Program provides limited scope, short-term representation to Veterans in need of legal advice or services that can be provided during a 1-hour appointments. 

Through this unique program, student attorneys offer limited-scope legal services to veterans through a short-term representation model that enables the students serve a greater volume of those in need.  Clinic students set up shop at a local Starbucks were they meet with veterans free of charge for one hour appointments to provide legal advice, assistance in reviewing or drafting legal documents, and other legal services that can be limited in scope.  The Starbucks atmosphere, veterans report, is less intimidating and more comfortable and accessible than a law office or law school.  The College of Law’s Veterans Coffee and Counsel Program is facilitated by students leading the Veterans Advocacy Project within the Civil Clinical Law Program.  Starbucks provides the space, as well as free coffee and pastries for the veterans. 

Assistance is limited to the following legal issues: Estate Planning, Criminal Conviction Set-Aside and Pardon, Criminal Record Sealing, Debt Collection Defense, Rental Disputes, Bankruptcy, Child Support Modification, Divorce, Name Change, Small Claims. 

Because the services are offered through a short term representation model, the representation is limited to the advice and services provided during the one hour appointment.  Neither the Clinic nor the student attorneys will enter their appearance in any legal matter, and the representation is ended upon the conclusion of the appointment. 

If the student attorneys believe the veteran needs additional legal services, the veteran is encouraged to apply for full representation through the Civil Clinic, or is provided a list of other available no-cost and low-cost legal service providers. 

The Clinic is not presently accepting cases at this time, as we are at capacity.  However, feel free to check back periodically, as we will update this page to include an application form when we are accepting cases.