New Lawyers on Track for IP Careers Help Veterans Boost Benefits

With the COVID-19 pandemic delaying start dates, several incoming associates at Finnegan devoted their time to assisting veterans in pro-bono cases through the firm’s partnership with the non-profit National Veterans Legal Services Program (NVLSP). Bloomberg Law interviewed Finnegan associates Dan Jordan and Kaitlyn Pehrson, who participated in the efforts to restore veterans' disability benefits.

Dan stated, “Many of these cases are heart breaking…Some veterans have been punished in the civilian world for years.”

Kaitlyn volunteered her time to assist with the discharge upgrade program, working on cases in which veterans were discharged for drug, alcohol, or mental health-related reasons. She explained, “They had been struggling with mental health or personal problems during their time in service, which were ignored or stigmatized by the military.”

Following his work with the NVLSP, Dan joined Finnegan’s Veterans Assistance Program, led by Finnegan partner and Air Force veteran Beth Ferrill, and took on a case he initially researched during his time at the non-profit. He said, “Studying the law teaches you to pay close attention to even the slightest detail in the medical records.”

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