According to Schuyler County Veterans Services Director Crystal Kawski, the event will be held Wednesday, March 19, from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm at the Schuyler County Human Services Building, Montour Falls, New York.
The event is intended to offer legal advice to veterans and service members on a variety of issues, including veterans benefits, discharge upgrades, eviction prevention, family law, estate planning, as well as benefits claims with the VA or Social Security Administration, Kawski explained. The clinic is not able to provide advice on any criminal matters, she noted. Law students and a supervising attorney will provide the legal assistance, she said.
Said Kawski: “The impact of having an attorney present onsite is incredible, especially when veterans apply for benefits or an upgrade in their military discharge. Studies show veterans are much more successful in claims for VA benefits when they have an attorney helping them.”
According to Getman, the county strongly encourages veterans to sign up in advance so they can secure a spot, though walk-in appointments will also be available. Information that will be helpful to receive during registration includes a short description of the issue, location and date of any pending hearings or deadlines, and names of any opposing parties.
Said Getman: “As the son and nephew of Navy veterans, I am proud to be able to assist our local veterans service agency in providing needed civil legal services. As a Cornell Alum (CALS ’86), I am happy that my alma mater can and will be giving something back to our local veterans community.”
Hardwick said that the clinic can offer 12 slots during the event. The clinic will be staffed with at least three law students plus a supervising attorney. Most advice will not be given on the date of the clinic but will come in a follow up advice letter after the students do any necessary research into the issue, he explained.
Said Hardwick: “We are happy to review any civil matters or claims veterans might have with state and federal agencies. We are grateful for the opportunity for our students to work with local veterans. The students will witness first-hand our obligation as lawyers to leverage our legal training in the service of others, especially for those who served our country.”
Veterans and service members seeking assistance at the event may contact the county veterans’ services agency at (607) 535-2091 or complete an intake form at the agency’s office, 323 Owego Street, Montour Falls NY 14865. Interested veterans and service members may also email: ckawski@schuylercountyny.gov.
If the event is successful, Schuyler County and the law school hope to host more legal assistance events for veterans and service members in the future, County Administrator Shawn Rosno said.
Said Rosno: “Schuyler County remains committed to our veterans. I want to applaud our veterans director and our county attorney for their initiative in setting up this event and I want to thank Cornell Law School for their assistance to our community.”
The Schuyler County Veterans Service Agency provides assistance to our Schuyler County veterans and members of the armed forces as well as their dependents and survivors through the pursuance of veterans benefits at the County, State and Federal levels and referrals to other agencies for possible assistance. This is done to promote better physical and mental health, improve quality of life and to ensure every veteran or dependent receives the benefits to which they are entitled.
The Schuyler County Attorney is the civil legal advisor to the county legislature and other county agencies, including the local veterans service agency. The county attorney prosecutes and defends civil actions on behalf of the county, in Family Court, Surrogates Court and New York State Supreme Court.
In Cornell Law School’s Veterans Law Practicum, students provide information, legal advice, and representation to veterans seeking legal assistance. Students work on cases, including to secure service-connected disability compensation, discharge upgrades, overpayment issues, and other related claims. In 2023, Cornell was one of three law schools nationwide to receive a $150,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to provide legal services for veterans experiencing or at risk of homelessness.
