Columbia, Mo. – Missouri veterans now have a dedicated source of free legal help thanks to the launch of the DEFENDERS program, a partnership between the Missouri Attorney General’s Office and the University of Missouri School of Law. The initiative, which began this year, channels pro bono services from the Mizzou Law Veterans Clinic to veterans facing a range of civil legal challenges.
How the program works
Under the DEFENDERS umbrella, law students, supervised by full‑time attorneys, take on real cases for Missouri veterans. Students like Lucy Brooner, a second‑year law student, say the work is both rewarding and educational. “It’s super fulfilling, and it’s definitely a learning experience,” Brooner told KY3.
Students assist veterans with filing disability and insurance claims, appealing denied benefits, and navigating the often‑complex bureaucracy of the Department of Veterans Affairs. “We’re always appealing, we’re always making the best arguments that we can, and we’re always hoping that these veterans can get the compensation and upgrades that they deserve,” Brooner added.
Attorney General’s role
Republican Attorney General Catherine Hanaway emphasized that the Attorney General’s Office will handle matters beyond the clinic’s scope, such as consumer fraud, landlord‑tenant disputes, and other civil issues that affect veterans. “Anything that’s like consumer fraud, or landlord‑tenant, or all the other issues veterans are dealing with, we’re able to help them from the attorney general’s office,” Hanaway said.
Hanaway also noted that the program relies heavily on volunteer hours, keeping taxpayer costs low. She indicated a willingness to allocate additional resources if demand grows: “If we can actually help people solve real‑world problems, in particular our veterans, I’m excited to get to do it; that’s a great reason to have to reallocate resources.”
Veteran perspective
Kevin Hillman, a member of the Missouri Army National Guard and a veteran himself, praised the availability of legal advocates. “It’s a pretty difficult system. I’ve been through it myself as a veteran, and I’m an attorney, and I found it difficult to navigate, so certainly for someone without that kind of training it’s great to have an advocate on their side,” Hillman said.
Program capacity and future outlook
The University of Missouri Law Veterans Clinic can handle more than 200 active cases at any given time, and the partnership aims to expand its reach as more volunteers join. Brooner and her fellow students expressed a commitment to continue pro bono work after graduation. “No matter where I end up, what field, I would like to take on these cases pro bono in the future to try to help as many veterans as I can,” she said.
Veterans, active‑duty service members, National Guard members and reservists across the state can contact the Attorney General’s Office or the Mizzou Law Veterans Clinic to request assistance. The program is open to all eligible Missouri service members and is offered at no cost.
Community impact
By providing free legal counsel, the DEFENDERS program not only supports those who have served our nation but also reinforces the community’s commitment to caring for its veterans. The collaboration showcases how state officials and local educational institutions can work together to address real‑world problems without burdening taxpayers.
Original reporting: KY3 Springfield (local) — read the source article.
