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From the Marines to Big Law, Attorney Gives Back to Vets

Bloomberg BNA

Volunteer attorneys from Blank Rome’s Pittsburgh office and PNC participated in The Veterans Consortium’s (“TVC”) recent Military Discharge Upgrade Clinic held at the Butler VAMC (Veterans Administration Medical Center) on October 23. Blank Rome Partner and Director of Pro Bono Services Kathy E. Ochroch discusses the clinic in Bloomberg BNA.


Article Excerpt:

For instance, veterans discharged under the former Pentagon policy of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell, and veterans suffering from mental health issues discharged under less than honorable terms are now eligible to have their records upgraded. These veterans can be excluded from benefits like health care and housing assistance without an upgrade.

[...]

Also, attorneys from Blank Rome’s Pittsburgh office volunteered to help more than 30 veterans upgrade their paperwork.

“One of our partners was able to get benefits for a veteran that went back to 1953,” said Kathy Ochroch, director of pro bono services at Blank Rome. “The difference you can make is astounding.”

"From the Marines to Big Law, Attorney Gives Back to Vets," by Stephanie Russell-Kraft was published in Bloomberg BNA on November 9, 2018. 

TVC Military Discharge Upgrade Clinic Pictured from L to R: Tim Millett, Mindy Turici, and Jamie Whetze from PNC, Danica Gonsalves from TVC, and Amy Joseph ColesJayme L. Butcher, and Eddie L. Edwards from Blank Rome.