Law schools open doors for veterans

Veterans increasingly view legal careers as a natural extension of their military service, and law schools across the nation have responded with specialized programs, clinics and financial incentives to attract them.

The transition reflects a growing recognition that military experience translates directly to legal practice. Veterans bring discipline, leadership and composure under pressure -- qualities law schools value and courtrooms demand.

"You're already trained to serve with purpose," according to Service to School, a nonprofit that guides veterans through law school admissions. "A legal education builds on the values veterans uphold: justice, integrity, advocacy and public service."

More than 30 law schools now operate legal clinics dedicated to serving veterans, giving students hands-on experience while addressing unmet legal needs. Chapman University's Military and Veterans Law Institute exemplifies the trend, recovering millions of benefits, judgments and settlements for clients. Professor Kyndra Rotunda, the institute's founder and executive director, has written the first textbook on military and veterans' law for the growing number of legal clinics nationwide.

Financial barriers have eased as well. Many top law schools -- Georgetown, Stanford, NYU, Chicago and others -- participate in the VA's Yellow Ribbon Program, which can cover full tuition costs when combined with Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits. The VA also reimburses LSAT costs, while the Army's Funded Legal Education Program allows active-duty soldiers to attend law school at government expense before serving in the Judge Advocate General's Corps.

At the University of San Diego School of Law, the commitment runs deep. USD School of Law actively supports military-affiliated students by participating as a 100% Yellow Ribbon school, which can cover the entire cost of tuition and eligible fees for qualifying students receiving 100% of the Post 9/11 GI Bill benefits, in conjunction with the VA matching scholarship.

Furthermore, the newly announced Epstein Family Foundation Military-Connected Center for Excellence (MCCE), backed by a $10 million commitment, will serve as a premier destination offering enhanced support services, scholarships, mental health and career counseling, and assistance with the transition to civilian life.

"Skills and training gained in the military -- discipline, organization, collaboration -- are perfect for high pressure and dynamic legal situations," said Attorney Alison M. Brown of the Veterans Legal Clinic at the USD School of Law. "Veterans turned lawyers also bring a spirit of service instilled from day one of their military training. Their many transferable skills are surely valuable to law firms and the clients they will serve."

Other resources include a Student Veteran Organization (SVO) and a partnership with 50 Strong for career preparedness and networking.

Applicants must be admitted to a USD law degree program and qualify for full Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits. Awards are made on a first-come basis, and students who maintain academic progress and re-confirm interest annually retain eligibility.

Organizations like the Veterans Consortium Legal Scholars Program and Service to School also help veterans transition by pairing them with mentors and pro bono opportunities. Admissions committees increasingly recognize that military service develops analytical thinking, attention to detail and structured problem-solving -- skills central to legal practice.