The Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims Bar Association was created to improve and facilitate the administration of justice in the United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims. Our goal is to provide information and services to the community for those individuals interested in facilitating justice for veterans.

Our members enjoy a wide variety of educational and networking opportunities. This site is your gateway to traditional Continuing Legal Education, live video streaming of CAVC Bar Association events, a library of our Veterans’ Law Journal, and other materials useful to practitioners. If you are interested in becoming a member of the CAVC Bar Association click here for information and a membership form.

If you are currently seeking benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs or have an appeal before the United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, please click on the links provided. The information provided at this website is of a general nature provided for educational purposes, and is not meant to be specific to any veteran or other claimant in matters related to claims for benefits.

*(This is a special election to fill the remaining term of Donnie Hachey)

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Standing Committees
2011–2012

CAVC BAR ASSOCIATION COMMITTEE DESCRIPTIONS AND DUTIES

Constitution and Bylaws Committee

The Constitution and Bylaws Committee maintains an updated version of the CAVC Bar Association’s Constitution and Bylaws and ensures that a current copy of the Constitution and Bylaws is available to all members. The Committee also advises the Board of Governors on issues involving the Constitution and Bylaws, prepares resolutions for amendments as needed, and files amendments as necessary with the appropriate authorities.

To join contact either:  

Membership Committee

The Membership Committee organizes the members of the CAVC Bar Association. This includes updating and maintaining accurate membership and email lists. Members of the committee coordinate with all of the CAVC Bar Association committees to ensure that members receive messages about upcoming social events, training events, Court events, noteworthy cases, and changes to Court practices and procedures.

To join contact:

Programs Committee

The Programs Committee is charged with planning social and educational events for CAVC Bar Association members. The committee determines the theme, content, speakers, and venues of events. Educational topics selected shall represent the general interest of the CAVC Bar membership.

This year the committee is planning an ambitious agenda with the intent to provide either a social or educational program each month as we attempt to increase interaction/communication among our members and elevate the practice of Veterans law before the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims.

This year's Programs Committee members include Gayle Strommen and Glenn Bergmann (Co-chairs); Dustin Elias; and, Lia Wentworth. Any member of the CAVC Bar Association who is interested in becoming a member of this committee should contact one of the the Chairs.

To join contact either:

Law School Education Committee

The Law School Education Committee works to increase awareness and understanding of veterans law among law students and recruit students to the CAVC Bar Association and the practice of veterans law. The three primary responsibilities are: 1) running the Veterans Law Appellate Advocacy Competition; 2) being involved in introducing or teaching veterans law to law students; and 3) reaching out to the law student community, gathering information of particular interest to them (particularly internship and clerkship opportunities) and making that information available.

        I. The Veterans Law Appellate Advocacy Competition (VLAAC)

As we look forward to a third competition in 2011, the Bar Association is already seeking volunteers to help with preparations. If you are interested, please contact the Bar Association's Law School Outreach committee through Jridgway@uscourts.cavc.gov. In particular, the committee is seeking those that would be interested in helping to: (1) handle registration and communications with the competitors; (2) make the necessary arrangements with the host school; (3) coordinate volunteers to judge briefs and oral argument; (4) assist with drafting and reviewing the competition problem; and (5) review and update the rules of the competition. Even if you cannot volunteer, we encourage you to contact your alma mater or local law school and encourage them to sign up in the spring once registration is open for next year's VLAAC.

        II. The Introduction to Veterans Law Program

The CAVC Bar Association needs to decide what, if any, relationship it wants to develop with law schools that offer (or are interested in offering) a course on veterans law, and those individuals teaching such a course.

The Bar Association is developing an hour-long power point presentation that can be given at law schools to help introduce law students to veterans law. The program will stand alone, but may also be presented in conjunction with CAVC oral arguments at law schools. The presentation should be completed by early February.

Volunteers interested in learning to give the presentation are welcome. A volunteer may also be needed to contact schools about scheduling presentations and to handle communications and scheduling with schools
and presenters.

        III. The Student Member Section of the Bar Association

The Law School Education Committee is interested in developing new ways to reach out to law students. One initiative is to develop a page on the Bar Association's website devoted to student members. The purpose of this page would be to gather and present information of particular interest to law students, including employment opportunities in veterans law (including summer, clerkship, and permanent positions). Another initiative is to consider reaching out to law schools with veterans law clinics and provide information
or a "partner" Bar Association member who could answer questions, etc.

The committee needs one or more volunteers to contact potential employers about available opportunities and develop other ideas about student-focused initiatives.

To join contact any of the following:

Publications Committee

The Publications Committee prepares and distributes the Bar Association's regular publications to the membership. The three primary responsibilities are: 1) preparing and distributing the quarterly newsletter; 2) maintaining the Bar Association's website; and 3) preparing and distributing an email of recent developments on a weekly or biweekly basis.

        I. The Quarterly Newsletter

The Quarterly Newsletter, currently titled "Veterans Law Journal" (VLJ), is a 12-20 page .pdf document that is normally distributed electronically. In the past, the VLJ, has placed a strong emphasis on describing and analyzing recent arguments and decisions. Going forward, this component will be limited to the most far-reaching cases. As the pace of programming increases, the VLJ will increase event coverage. Additionally, a number of non-time-sensitive sections will be added that would provide specialized information
of use to the Bar including 1) an overlooked web resources section; 2) a short book review section; and 3) a peek inside some of the major offices (VA, VSO, and private bar) — something like a short, print-version of "Meet the [fill in the blank]." The VLJ will also include information on upcoming events and cover bigger developments such as P&P Rules revisions, VA’s regulation rewrite project, etc.

To this end, the VLJ needs volunteers both to generate content and to produce the finished .pdf. Volunteers would probably be assigned specific pieces of content to generate for each issue or specific duties in producing the finished product. We may also need volunteers to take pictures at events.

        II. The Bar Association's Website

The Bar Association has an established website. The Website Subcommittee is responsible for keeping the content current and exploring potential expansion of the content and functionality of the website. The Subcommittee has a chair and a technical specialist. At the moment, no major initiatives are planned to alter the website, but volunteers with specific ideas are welcome to voice interest in this committee.

        III. Recent Developments Email List

This is a new initiative. The goal of this regular email contact is to inform members of recent decisions, arguments, and other significant developments. The email will also include reminders about upcoming events. The content for this email will probably be brief with a focus on simply making members aware without overwhelming them. Preferably, the emails will have embedded links to oral argument audio and .pdfs of the decisions. Volunteers are needed to generate content and handle its regular distribution.

To join contact:

James Ridgway JRidgway@uscourts.cavc.gov



Portrait Committee

The Portrait Committee has responsibility to ensure that each retiring Judge is honored with a commissioned portrait to commemorate his or her commitment to justice for veterans. Committee members coordinate with the Court, the retiring Judge, the Judge's former law clerks, portrait artists, and members of the CAVC Bar Association to raise funds, select an artist, procure the portrait, and plan the presentation ceremony to the Court. No artistic talent necessary!

To join contact:

Alice Kerns Akerns@uscourts.cavc.gov

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Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims Bar Association
PO Box 7992
Washington, DC 20044-7992

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