September 2026

It has been such an exciting start to my Equal Justice America Veterans’ Rights fellowship. My experience so far has been very fulfilling as I feel I am genuinely helping make a difference. In the first few weeks I’ve had the chance to meet with clients, research important issues, and participate in community outreach. I’ve attended several library clinics, at which I had the chance to learn about numerous issues faced by members of the community. I also had the opportunity to shadow colleagues while they were serving as attorney of the day. My favorite part has been getting to meet with clients and hear their stories.

This work has exposed me to a wide variety of issues including military discharge upgrades, SSI/SSDI, and housing issues. I’ve also spent time learning about different issues veterans might face. I’ve been using resources such as “Swords to Plowshares” which provides extensive trainings and tools. The training I’ve enjoyed the most thus far dealt with cultural competency, which addressed many challenges faced by veterans when re-intergrating into the community.

This past week I began working on two housing cases for veterans who are facing eviction. In order to best serve my clients I have participated in trainings on D.C. housing law; watched housing court to get a better sense of the legal process; and talked with colleagues about the best way to approach these legal issues. I am also getting prepared for the initial hearing in one of the eviction cases. In addition, I have applied for accreditation from the Department of Veterans Affairs to be able to further assist individuals on veteran specific issues.

In the coming weeks, I look forward to continuing my learning and meeting with clients. I am extremely grateful to my colleagues at Neighborhood Legal Services Program for welcoming me so warmly, and I am excited to continue this important work. I am also deeply thankful to Equal Justice America for making this opportunity possible.