Last week I received a call out of the blue from Hofstra Law School. They needed a Disability attorney to come in on Sunday morning and advise veterans about Disability issues. This would be a “pro bono” (free) clinic. Could I help out? It took me a couple of milliseconds to think about it. Of course I could, I responded.

The first Hofstra Veterans Legal Assistance Clinic was held this past Sunday. It involved attorneys in various legal specialties: veterans, immigration, family, divorce, elder, consumer law, and more. Sponsors included the County, the Law School, and the Nassau County Bar Association. All advice given was offered free of charge. The vets were able to go from room to room where the attorneys had “set up shop” and get real-time advice about real issues. The attorneys were also being observed in action by Hofstra Law students. This was another cool part of the whole thing: not only were we attorneys helping the vets, but the Hofstra law students were getting training as well.

One veteran regaled me with stories from the Korean War, and I enjoyed hearing his tales. Another had such a complicated legal situation that he probably consulted four different attorneys while he was there about the same matter. Yet another owed Social Security $30,000 that he didn’t have. I helped him out as best as I could.

We should never forget our Veterans. I certainly tried to do my part, by participating in the first Veterans Legal Assistance Clinic at Hofstra Law School. And I’m glad I did.