ABOUT US
Veterans Legal Services promotes equity in the accessing of justice by providing free and comprehensive civil legal aid services to economically disadvantaged military veterans in Massachusetts. VLS helps former service members obtain the stability and financial security necessary to live the healthy, happy, and dignified lives they deserve.
VLS partners with veterans' services organizations throughout Massachusetts because legal aid is an essential service in the holistic care of veterans. VLS specializes in eviction/homelessness prevention, helping veterans access financial and medical benefits, appealing discharge orders, and promoting healthy family relationships by securing equitable divorce, child custody, parenting time, and child support arrangements. VLS is an independent 501(c)3 nonprofit organization and is not part of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or any other government agency.
Founded in 1991 out of Boston College School of Law, the organization began by working exclusively through what was then the New England Center for Homeless Veterans in Boston. Veterans Legal Services continued to grow through the years, staffed by full-time attorneys and an ever-expanding team of pro bono supporters.
Today, VLS serves more than 750 veterans per year and is the leading legal services organization in Massachusetts devoted exclusively to supporting the civil legal needs of military veterans.
VLS kept me from drowning in this vast legal system and gave me back my dignity.
— Tom, Marine Corps veteran
Outreach
VLS meets with veterans on-site at area shelters, skilled nursing homes, VA medical centers, and treatment courts. In addition, VLS works with community partners, including supportive services providers and government officials to ensure veterans and those who support them are aware of VLS services.
Advocacy
VLS provides direct legal representation to veterans throughout Massachusetts, both in-person and over the phone. Services range from advising veterans on how to resolve matters on their own to representing veterans in court and before agencies such as the VA.
In addition, VLS plays a leading role in high-impact state and federal appellate cases involving the welfare of at-risk veterans.
Education
VLS trains law student volunteers from all six area law schools to ensure that the next generation of lawyers are informed about veterans’ needs. These students assist with VLS client representation and often join VLS as volunteer attorneys after graduation.
VLS also trains private practice attorneys and community advocates on veterans’ legal needs through courses at Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education and area bar associations.
VLS CLIENTS
BY THE NUMBERS
56%
Disabled veterans
60%
Over the age of 60
26%
Veterans of color
(Only 7% of veteran population in MA are POC)
15%
Women veterans
(Only 6% of veteran
population in MA are women)
64
Average age of veterans living in MA
Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly
Reginald Heber Smith
Award for Excellence in Legal Services