Thomas Jefferson School of Law’s Veterans Legal Assistance Clinic (VLAC) has teamed up with the San Diego Bankruptcy Law Firm to offer bankruptcy services to San Diego veterans free of charge.T
he law school operates the clinic at the Veterans Village of San Diego, providing limited pro bono legal assistance, as well as full service legal representation on site. TJSL students handle the veterans’ cases under the supervision of faculty. The clinic will pre-screen eligible veterans to refer those who qualify to the bankruptcy firm.“
We hit our capacity fairly quickly each semester and have to turn away some cases that we might otherwise be able to handle,” said Steve Berenson, a professor at Thomas Jefferson School of Law, who runs the Veterans Clinic.
Veterans Village is a highly successful, residential program that provides housing, substance abuse and mental health and job training services to formerly homeless veterans.T
he San Diego Bankruptcy Law Firm, located in Mission Valley, was founded by Thomas Jefferson School of Law 1998 graduates Todd F. Williams and Scott M. Schlegel, and is managed by Maureen Enmark.
“We were looking for a way to give back to our community and veterans have been particularly affected by the downturn in the economy, so this is our way of saying thank you for your service,” Williams of the San Diego Bankruptcy Law Firm said.
Bankruptcy proceedings can help veterans by stopping foreclosure, eliminating debt and protecting assets. “Sometimes a bankruptcy is all it takes to provide a little breathing room that will help veterans get back on track,” Schlegel said.