For Denise Bennett, becoming an attorney was a new chapter in a life already shaped by military service and a commitment to helping fellow veterans.

After pursuing law school later in life and graduating from North Carolina Central University School of Law in 2024, Denise began an Equal Justice America postgraduate Veterans' Rights Fellowship at Legal Aid of North Carolina.

Now, after completing her fellowship, Denise has been hired as a permanent attorney at Legal Aid of North Carolina!

And what a fellowship it has been.

In her final report, Denise described closing or transferring 24 cases, with another 14 still open. Her work ranged from VA disability benefits and discharge-related determinations to criminal record expunctions and other legal challenges affecting veterans' stability.

Among her successes, Denise helped a veteran with PTSD overcome a discharge-related barrier to VA benefits, opening a path toward greater financial security. She assisted another veteran whose increased benefits supported his transition from homelessness into stable housing.

In the final weeks of her fellowship, she also secured a 100% disability rating for one veteran and a favorable determination involving the aggravation of a preexisting condition during military service.

Denise's contributions extended beyond individual cases. She traveled throughout North Carolina to veterans' resource events, connected veterans with legal assistance, and strengthened relationships with organizations addressing housing, financial hardship, and other needs.

Those experiences helped shape her understanding of effective veterans' advocacy.

As Denise explained in her final report, resolving a legal problem is often only one part of helping a veteran regain stability. Veterans also need connections to organizations that can address the other challenges they face.

Her fellowship even inspired plans to develop a network of attorneys willing to provide affordable or pro bono representation to veterans who cannot afford private counsel but do not qualify for legal aid.

Throughout the experience, Denise developed her legal skills, earned VA accreditation, and gained a deeper appreciation for the patience, persistence, and compassion required to practice veterans' law.

Her journey illustrates EJA's dual impact: expanding access to legal assistance today while helping build lasting careers in public interest law.

Denise entered the legal profession later in life, determined to serve fellow veterans. Her fellowship helped turn that commitment into a permanent career at Legal Aid of North Carolina.

And the veterans she serves will continue benefiting from EJA's investment long after the fellowship itself has ended.

Congratulations, Denise! We are proud to have supported your journey and delighted that your important work will continue.

Read Denise's fellowship reports here.