The University of Georgia has a strong history of supporting military veterans. Expanding on this foundation, since 2018, the School of Law has been actively growing its programs and support for this important population.

Veterans Legal Clinic Director and Associate Professor Alex Scherr has led the clinic since it opened in 2018. To date, it has helped veterans claim more than $2.5 million. Photo by UGA Marketing and Communications.

The Veterans Legal Clinic, which assists former Georgia military members with claims before the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, has helped approximately 700 veterans and their family members claim more than $2.5 million during its first five years of operation.

Earlier this year, 1983 alumnus Michael Evert, his wife Angi and their daughters – Emily Evert Scanlon (B.B.A.’09), Georgia Evert O’Donoghue (B.B.A.’11) and Maggie Evert Jones (A.B.’13) – made a major commitment to financially support the operations of the clinic.

Financial aid benefitting military service members studying at the law school is another critical area. Since 2019, 100% of veterans enrolled in the Juris Doctor program have received monetary support courtesy of the Butler Commitment, which was created by 1977 alumnus James E. “Jim” Butler Jr.

A key gift this spring from The John N. Goddard Foundation will allow the School of Law to offer veterans funding for “other” professional development expenses necessary for the successful entry into the legal profession. This includes items such as bar preparation expenses, professional attire, summer work grants, books and other special costs.

“All of us are in some way indebted to our country’s military personnel,” Dean Peter B. “Bo” Rutledge said. “I am incredibly proud of the range of support the School of Law provides to those who have served our country and I am so thankful to our alumni/alumnae and friends for making it possible to do so. The Goddard Foundation, which has been a longtime partner; Jim Butler, who has been a steadfast supporter of both our legal clinic and our student veterans; and now the Michael and Angi Evert family, plus countless others, are helping the School of Law to redefine what it means to be a great national public law school, while also strengthening our ongoing commitment to support those who have served our country.”