Veteran’s Assistance Program

The Finnegan Veterans Assistance Program is a win-win-win.

Finnegan has one of the most, if not the most, extensive pro bono programs serving the needs of veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces. Since 2019, more than 85 attorneys and staff have participated in Finnegan’s pro bono program serving disabled military veterans.

The firm represents veterans from Board of Veterans Appeals (BVA) decisions

It is a win for the veterans that we help.

Focusing on appeals in the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (CAVC) and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit (Federal Circuit), in the past ten years, the firm has represented veterans in more than 1,000 appeals from Board of Veterans Appeals (BVA) decisions, handling more than 60 cases in 2020 alone.

We represented a Navy veteran who had been wrongfully denied an increased disability rating based on misapplication of regulations regarding service connection. After the veteran had spent years fighting for a higher rating, Finnegan took the case, brought it to the Federal Circuit, and obtained successful decision vacating and remanding the erroneous determination by the Veterans Court. This was not only a wonderful result for the veteran in question, but an important decision that sets precedential law to help veterans in future cases get the right result.

The program has also provided legal assistance to veterans in upgrading their status of their military discharge an in seeking disability retirement benefits from their respective service department. For example, Finnegan attorneys brokered a settlement with the United States Army resulting in a significant retroactive award of military medical disability retirement benefits for a combat veteran experiencing post-traumatic stress disorder who had been wrongfully denied his rightful retirement benefits.

The program is a win for our attorneys.

From the newest associate to the most senior partner, attorneys at all levels participate in our Veterans program. For some, this may be their first opportunity to take the lead, forming strategy and drafting appeal documents, or making an oral argument before a court. Others are happy to give back to veterans using skills they have honed throughout their long legal careers. In many cases, our pro bono teams include associates and partners work closely together, gaining meaningful opportunities and advocacy skills to further develop their legal careers.

Finnegan partner and United States Naval Academy graduate James Barney argued, en banc, an appeal before the Federal Circuit, challenging the assignment of effective dates for veterans’ benefits and the application of the doctrine of equitable tolling when a medical condition is so disabling as to prevent the filing of a claim for benefits. James worked closely with two associates on the brief. The appeal originated at the CAVC and has been shepherded through the federal court system by the same Finnegan team.

Finnegan receives funds for its successful work at the CAVC under the federal government’s Equal Access to Justice Act (EAJA) and donates 100% of this money to charity.

The program is a win for charities across the nation that serve veterans, servicemembers, and their families.

Each year Finnegan receives funds for its successful work at the CAVC under the federal government’s Equal Access to Justice Act (EAJA). Each year Finnegan donates 100% of this money to charity. In the past decade, Finnegan has donated more than $5 million to a host of deserving charities including:

Disabled American Veterans (DAV), providing lifetime of support for veterans of all generations and their families, to ensure that veterans have access to the full range of benefits, provide care and support, and more.
Fisher House Foundation, Inc., builder of comfort homes where military and veteran families can stay free of charge, while a loved one is in the hospital.
National Veterans Legal Services Program (NVLSP), working to ensure the federal government delivers to our nation’s veterans and active duty personnel the benefits to which they are entitled due to service-related disabilities.
New England Center for Homeless Veterans, a national leader in housing and serving veterans who are at-risk of homelessness in Boston and nearby regions.
Shelter to Soldier, bringing together post-9/11 combat veterans and trained, rescue dogs to help both recover and move forward.
Shepherd Center, an Atlanta neurorehabilitation specialty hospital serving patients, including veterans, with spinal cord and brain injuries.
Team Rubicon, serving communities by mobilizing veterans to continue their service, leveraging their skills and experience to help people prepare, respond, and recover from disasters and humanitarian crises.
USO of Metropolitan Washington-Baltimore, strengthening America’s military servicemembers by keeping them connected to family, home, and country throughout their service to the nation.
Yellow Ribbon Fund, providing housing, transportation, and caregiver and family support to severely wounded, ill and injured post-9/11 servicemembers following unexpected medical crises.