Finnegan Attorneys and ABA Publish Veterans Appeals Guidebook

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 4, 2013

Contact:    Christine E. Lehman, 202.408.4270      
                    Partner

Finnegan Attorneys and ABA Publish Veterans Appeals Guidebook

WASHINGTON, DC - Five Finnegan, Henderson, Farabow, Garrett, & Dunner, LLP, attorneys have joined with the American Bar Association (ABA) to publish the Veterans Appeals Guidebook: Representing Veterans in the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims. The publication addresses the basics of veterans-related appeals to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (CAVC), including jurisdiction issues, and the process from pre-briefing through post-briefing.

Christopher Clay, General Counsel at the Disabled American Veterans (DAV), commented “I have read much of the literature on this subject, including the guidance published by some other institutions. The Finnegan book beats them all…. It is a gem. In addition to being readable and useful, the book’s simplicity is evidence of the fact that the contributors have achieved mastery of the subject matter.”

Ronald L. Smith, editor of the guidebook and pro bono counsel for Finnegan’s Veterans’ Pro Bono Program stated the publication “aims to serve as an accessible and focused resource for all practitioners.” For the past two decades, Mr. Smith has concentrated his practice on representing appellants before the CAVC and Federal Circuit. Prior to joining Finnegan in 2008, he was Deputy General Counsel for Veterans Claims for the DAV where he supervised all appeals to the federal courts for the DAV. From 1984 to 1989, he served with the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General.

With Ron Smith, The Veterans Appeals Guidebook was coauthored by Finnegan attorneys Anita Bhushan, Elizabeth D. Ferrill, Stephen L. Hennessy, and Maureen D. Queler. All are active in Finnegan’s Veterans’ Pro Bono Program which serves disabled U.S. military veterans. Nearly 200 attorneys and staff participate in the program, focusing on appeals before the CAVC and the Federal Circuit. Since the program commenced in July 2008, Finnegan has brought approximately 560 appeals, and for the past three years, Finnegan lawyers have devoted more than 8,000 hours per year to the program.

Veterans Appeals Guidebook: Representing Veterans in the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims is available for purchase from the ABA website.

About Finnegan
Finnegan, Henderson, Farabow, Garrett & Dunner, LLP is one of the largest IP law firms in the world. From offices in Atlanta, Boston, London, Palo Alto, Reston, Seoul, Shanghai, Taipei, Tokyo, and Washington, DC, the firm practices all aspects of patent, trademark, copyright, and trade secret law, including counseling, prosecution, licensing, and litigation. Finnegan also represents clients on IP issues related to European patents and trade marks, international trade, portfolio management, the Internet, e-commerce, government contracts, antitrust, and unfair competition. For additional information on the firm, please visit www.finnegan.com. Follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter.