Veterans Legal Institute

Mission Statement

Veterans Legal Institute® (VLI) provides pro bono legal assistance to homeless, at risk, disabled and low income current and former service members to eradicate barriers to housing, healthcare, education, and employment and foster self-sufficiency.

Values:

Core Values

Outreach: VLI brings together military members, veterans, and the concerned public at large through volunteerism, education, outreach, and policy advocacy.

Compassion: VLI is committed to showing compassion and understanding regarding the unique set of military specific issues associated with traumatic combat deployments

Quality: VLI is dedicated to providing high quality legal services and advocacy.

Leadership: VLI raises the standard in the legal industry by providing legal services at the upmost levels of professionalism and excellence for the benefit of its clients and the overall veteran community.

Empowerment: VLI empowers its clients through direct legal services.

DEI Statement:

None Provided

Programs/Services:

As veterans or current military members, Veterans Legal Institute®’s (VLI) clients have demonstrated bravery and dedication to the country, protecting it both at home and abroad.  Many of our clients have served in combat, enduring significant physical, emotional, and psychological wounds in the process.  All of VLI’s clients have been members of the United States Armed Forces, giving of themselves so that our nation can remain safe and strong.

Many current and former service members face true challenges transitioning into their civilian lives after their military service is over.  A large portion of the challenges veterans face are legal in nature, from battling with the VA over compensation and pension claims to discharge upgrades to expungements of criminal convictions preventing them from gainful employment.  To honor their service, VLI provides free legal services to low income veterans and military members in a number of critical areas which often result in real improvements in their lives.  VLI is able to leverage its legal network who donate their services pro bono thereby providing exponential service hours to its clientele.

While we understand our services only begin to repay a debt of gratitude, VLI’s staff hopes to empower clients in achieving a greater measure of self-sufficiency, and with that, to experience the lives they deserve.  Support begins with an attorney reviewing each potential client’s individual circumstances and any additional challenges he or she might face.  We then work tirelessly to address the obstacles that are keeping our clients from the benefits they deserve.
VLI offers pro bono legal services in house, through pro bono attorney volunteers, and at clinics at veteran hotspots like the VA hospital in Long Beach.

Ideal Candidate:

Ideal candidate possesses a passion to serve the military and desire to contribute time, talent and/or treasure to that end. We are constantly seeking leaders in the field of law, military, marketing and PR, finance, entrepreneurship, and other professions. Ideal candidate acts as an ambassador for VLI and has a strong network.

Why you should consider joining this board:

For veterans and patriots alike, joining the board at VLI is a great way to pay it forward to our great nation. Your time and talent ensures veterans in need access justice and ultimately can prevent veteran suicide and homeless and increase economic empowerment.

Fundraising/Financial Commitment:

Give or get is $3500.

Additional Information:

None Provided

To Apply:

Year Founded:

2014

Service Region(s):

Service Area(s):

Annual Revenue:

$1 million – $5 million

Employees:

26-50

Board Members:

21-25

Length of Board Term:

2 years.

Board Meeting Type:

Hybrid (both virtual and in-person)

Service Per Month Expected:

Less than 5 hours

Board Meetings Per Year:

6