The Veterans Legal Initiative was established in 2008 by the Houston Bar Association, Houston Bar Foundation and Houston Volunteer Lawyers. The program provides free legal advice and legal representation to U.S. veterans. Any veteran, or spouse of a deceased veteran, can get advice and counsel at one of the clinics offered by the VLI at the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center or at one of the community clinics. Low-income veterans who need further legal representation in civil matters and meet eligibility guidelines can be assigned a pro bono attorney through the Houston Volunteer Lawyers, a public service of the Houston Bar Association. The Veterans Legal Initiative is made possible by grants from the Texas Access to Justice Foundation, the Houston Bar Foundation, and the Texas Veterans Commission.

To date, the program has served over 20,000 veterans with advice and counsel and/or legal representation. More than 400 attorneys have volunteered to assist with the Veterans Legal Initiative.

The VLI is now part of a coalition of bar associations in 18 Texas counties that provides free legal advice clinics and legal representation to veterans through clinics scheduled periodically in the following counties: Bell, Brazoria, Brazos, Chambers, Fort Bend, Galveston, Grimes, Hardin, Harris, Jefferson, Liberty, McLennan, Montgomery, Orange, San Jacinto, Travis, Walker and Waller.

Low-income Houston-area veterans: Please visit the HBA's Houston Volunteer Lawyers website, www.legalhelphouston.org, to apply online for virtual clinics and pro bono services.

Free Legal Clinics for U.S. Veterans, Fridays at the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center

Fridays, 1:00 to 3:30 p.m.

Michael E. Debakey VA Medical Center
2002 Holcombe Blvd., Bldg. 108A, Houston, 77030

No appointment necessary.  Legal issues may include:
Family Law * Wills & Probate * Consumer Law * Real Estate and Property * Tax Law * Disability and Veterans Benefits * Other Legal Issues

Legal clinic open to all U.S. veterans and spouses of deceased veterans. All veterans can receive one-on-one legal advice from volunteer attorneys at the clinic. Low-income veterans who need additional representation in civil matters may apply for pro bono services at the clinic. 

A public service of Houston Volunteer Lawyers, the pro bono legal arm of the Houston Bar Association, with funding from the Texas Access to Justice Foundation. 

For information call 713-228-0735 or visit makejusticehappen.org.

Watch "Basics of Representing Veterans Before the Veterans Administration." This four-hour CLE webinar qualifies for VA accreditation to represent veteran appeals, as required in 38 C.F.R Section 14.629 (b)(1)(iii). The program also includes presentations on discharge upgrades and Harris County Veterans Treatment Court.

Please consider taking a pro bono case for a low-income U.S. veteran who needs your help. To access the Houston Volunteer Lawyers Portal and view available cases, visit hvl.legalserver.org.

CLE course number 174173657. Co-sponsored by Houston Volunteer Lawyers, The Beacon, South Texas College of Law Houston, Lone Star Legal Aid, Legal Services Corporation, Texas Access to Justice Foundation, Bob Woodruff Foundation, Qatar Harvey Fund, and the Texas Veterans Commission.

Contact Information and Resources

If you are a veteran with a question about legal services, contact:

Andrew Lehmann, Supervising Attorney, 713-275-0122
Caylee Bock, Program Coordinator, 713-275-0120

Legal professionals who would like to sign up to volunteer with the Veterans Legal Initiative, click here.