A focus on veterans: Clinic helps to claim $6.5M+ in benefits, 100% of students receive aid

The School of Law supports military service members through its programming and advocacy for veterans throughout the state of Georgia.

Since its establishment through a lead gift from renowned trial attorney James E. “Jim” Butler Jr. (J.D.’77) in 2018, the Veterans Legal Clinic has helped approximately 800 veterans and their families claim more than $6.5 million in benefits.

The clinic, led by Professor & Veterans Legal Clinic Director Alexander W. “Alex” Scherr, assists Georgia veterans with claims before the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and provides law students with an opportunity to engage with real-world clients, cases and communities.

Of note, Scherr was elected in 2023 to a three-year term on the National Law School Veterans Clinic Consortium, which advocates for veterans in judicial, legislative and administrative forums.

UGA has repeatedly been recognized as one of the top-ranked military-friendly tier 1 research institutions in the nation by Viqtory Media, listing UGA at No. 2 in 2024. UGA was recognized as the top-ranked military friendly school in 2023, 2021 and 2017, and it has made the national top-three for seven consecutive years.

Veterans

Some of the former military members studying at the School of Law in the fall of 2023 included: (l. to r.) (front row) Brigman Moore, Kenneth Kendrick, Latonya Shand, Andrea Bell, (back row) Beau DeSantis, William Mattox, Rob Wedge and Adam Bartnicki. Currently, the law school guarantees financial assistance to 100% of veterans who matriculate through the Butler Commitment, which was established by alumnus Jim Butler (J.D.’77).