Who We Are:
About the National Veterans Legal Services Program
As the voice of veterans' rights for the last 32 years, the National Veterans Legal Services Program (NVLSP) works to ensure that the U.S. government keeps its pact with our nation's 25 million veterans. NVLSP is an independent nonprofit veterans service organization that has assisted veterans and their advocates since 1980.
As a conduit for change against unfair government practices, NVLSP has been instrumental in the passage of landmark veterans' rights legislation. Lawsuits brought by NVLSP attorneys have forced the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to pay hundreds of millions of dollars in benefits to veterans and their families and have forced the military departments to pay millions of dollars in back pay to veterans.
NVLSP recruits, trains, and assists thousands of volunteer lawyers and veterans' advocates. Our publications empower veterans, their families, and their advocates to obtain the benefits they're entitled to by clearly outlining their rights under the law.
NVLSP Launches Lawyers Serving Warriors® Program in December 2007
The Lawyers Serving Warriors® program offers pro-bono legal help with disability issues to veterans from all eras. Our current pro bono initiative is to assist veterans with applications for Combat-Related Special Compensation (CRSC). In the past, the Lawyers Serving Warriors® program assisted veterans who served in Iraq and Afghanistan facing administrative separation, going through a medical evaluation board or physical evaluation board, or pursuing a claim with the VA for disability compensation.
NVLSP Executive Directors
Barton F. Stichman
Joint Executive Director, National Veterans Legal Services Program
Helping veterans and their families receive the federal veterans benefits that they need and deserve has been the focus of Barton F. Stichman's entire 37-year legal career. He helped found NVLSP and has been its co-director or director ever since.
Learn more about Mr. Stichman's expertise and credentials here.
Ronald Abrams
Joint Executive Director, National Veterans Legal Services Program
Since joining NVLSP in 1989, Abrams has conducted more than 200 training sessions for many organizations, including the American Legion, the National Association of State Directors of Veterans Affairs, National Association of County Veterans Service Officers, the Vietnam Veterans of America, the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, AMVETS, the Military Order of the Purple Heart, and many state and county department of veterans affairs. He has also conducted training for sessions for many state bar associations, Legal Services Corporation-funded offices, the National Legal Aid and Defender Association, the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.
Learn more about Mr. Abram's expertise and credentials here.
Lawyers Serving Warriors® Staff
Thomas Moore
Program Manager
Mr. Moore trains lawyers and non-lawyers in the areas of military and veterans law, mentors attorneys representing service members and veterans, and represents veterans before the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims. Prior to joining NVLSP, he served six years on active duty as an officer in the U.S. Army Judge Advocate General’s Corps. Mr. Moore is currently a Major in the U.S. Army Reserve, serving as a senior defense counsel. He is a graduate of Dickinson College (1991) and George Mason University School of Law (J.D., 2001).
David Sonenshine, Staff Attorney
Tracy Connor, Pro Bono Coordinator
Tierra Robinson-Morgan, Administrative/Intake Assistant