The purpose of the CAVC Bar Association is to promote the effective practice of veterans law before the United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, to provide a forum for discussion of practice issues, to develop suggestions for pertinent system improvements, and to keep its members informed of developments affecting those who assist veterans. Message from the President I am very pleased to welcome you again to our website. The last time I wrote you, immediately before the Court’s Eleventh Judicial Conference, there was still snow on the ground after Washington’s record-breaking back-to-back snowstorms. Now, the sun is out, the temperatures have hit the 90s in Washington (where it definitely is not a “dry heat”), and summer is almost upon us. However, I wanted to take a moment to report on some recent Bar Association events, as well as to discuss some upcoming activities. As many of you know, on March 4-5, the Court held its Eleventh Judicial Conference, in Washington, D.C. (a detailed article about the conference is found in this issue of the VETERANS LAW JOURNAL). At the end of the conference’s first day, the Bar Association sponsored a reception for conference participants, a regular tradition that was well-attended and provided the opportunity for conference attendees to meet and talk over drinks and food. On the second day, I had the unique opportunity to moderate a “Conversation with the Judges,” in which I was able to reverse the tables a bit, and ask the Judges questions that had been submitted by conference attendees. The Bar Association was pleased to again host a program immediately following the Court’s conference. Professor Michael P. Allen of Stetson University College of Law, a frequent speaker on veterans law, gave a lively and informative presentation entitled “Due Process and the Veteran: What is and What Ought to Be.” Immediately following Professor Allen, we were honored to welcome Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki. Secretary Shinseki shared well-received remarks about his vision for the Department and took several questions from the audience. Attendance at this program was quite strong. Last week, on May 27, the Bar Association sponsored a one-hour workshop entitled “Techniques for Effective Oral Advocacy,” presented by James Ridgway, Esq., Senior Law Clerk and Chief of Staff to Judge Alan G. Lance, Sr. This program was very informative (I learned some useful tips, and I have been practicing in this area for some time!), and we also offered a toll-free conference call connection, so we were able to support participation from Bar Association members across the country. We have some exciting events in the works for this year, including another Veterans Law Appellate Advocacy Competition slated for October 16-17, 2010, in Washington, DC. In addition, members of our Law School Education Committee have been travelling to various law schools to discuss veterans law, the Court, and careers in veterans law. Please check out our website at www.cavcbar.net for more details. As I have mentioned in the past, this is your Bar Association, and we want to be relevant, engaged, and useful to our members. We appreciate and need your participation. If you would like to get involved or have any questions or suggestions, please feel free to contact me at louis_george@nvlsp.org, or telephone me at (202) 265-8305, extension 117. Sincerely yours, Louis J. George President, CAVC Bar Association Back to top For information on current committee's please click here BOARD OF GOVERNORS Louis J. George, President National Veterans Legal Services Washington, DC Glenn Bergmann President-Elect Attorney at Law Bethesda, MD Gayle Strommen, Secretary Department of Veterans Affairs Washington, DC Alice Kerns, Treasurer US Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims Washington, DC Dustin Elias Department of Veterans Affairs Washington, DC Donnie Hachey Department of Veterans Affairs Washington, DC Sonia Mezei U.S Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims Washington, DC Nancy L. Foti Attorney at Law Goodman, Allen & Filetti, Norfolk, VA Sandra W. Wischow Attorney at Law Goodman, Allen & Filetti, Richmond, VA Jennifer Zajac Paralyzed American Veterans Washington,DC James Ridgway U.S Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims Washington, DC

Standing Committees
2010–2011

CAVC BAR ASSOCIATION COMMITTEE DESCRIPTIONS AND DUTIES

Constitution and Bylaws Committee

The Constitution and Bylaws Committee maintains an updated version of the CAVC Bar Association’s Constitution and Bylaws and ensures that a current copy of the Constitution and Bylaws is available to all members. The Committee also advises the Board of Governors on issues involving the Constitution and Bylaws, prepares resolutions for amendments as needed, and files amendments as necessary with the appropriate authorities.

To join contact either:          Sandy Wischow SWischow@goodmanallen.com
                                               Dustin Elias Dustin.Elias@va.gov

Membership Committee

The Membership Committee organizes the members of the CAVC Bar Association. This includes updating and maintaining accurate membership and email lists. Members of the committee coordinate with all of the CAVC Bar Association committees to ensure that members receive messages about upcoming social events, training events, Court events, noteworthy cases, and changes to Court practices and procedures.

To join contact either:          Sonia Mezei SMezei@uscourts.cavc.gov
                                               Donnie Hachey Donnie.Hachey@va.gov


Programs Committee

The Programs Committee is charged with planning social and educational events for CAVC Bar Association members. The committee determines the theme, content, speakers, and venues of events. Educational topics selected shall represent the general interest of the CAVC Bar membership.

This year the committee is planning an ambitious agenda with the intent to provide either a social or educational program each month as we attempt to increase interaction/communication among our members and elevate the practice of Veterans law before the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims. We are excited about the Bar Association's component of the Court's 11th Judicial Conference, which takes place on March 4-5th 2010. The Bar Association will sponsor a reception on March 4th. On March 5, we are proud to present two sessions -- one of which will feature the Honorable Eric K. Shinseki, Secretary of Veterans Affairs.

Some of the upcoming programs currently under consideration include: Ask the Board of Veterans Appeals Veterans Law Judge; Update from VA's Regulation Rewrite Group; Ask VA’s Compensation&Pension Service; A presentation on effective oral advocacy; An inside perspective from VA's Professional Staff Group-II; as well as a Fall Happy Hour.

This year's Programs Committee members include Gayle Strommen and Glenn Bergmann (Co-chairs); Dustin Elias; and, Lia Wentworth. Any member of the CAVC Bar Association who is interested in becoming a member of this committee should contact one of the the Chairs.

To join contact either:          Glenn Bergmann BergmannLaw@msn.com
                                               Gayle Strommen Gayle.Strommen@va.gov

Law School Education Committee

The Law School Education Committee works to increase awareness and understanding of veterans law among law students and recruit students to the CAVC Bar Association and the practice of veterans law. The three primary responsibilities are: 1) running the Veterans Law Appellate Advocacy Competition; 2) being involved in introducing or teaching veterans law to law students; and 3) reaching out to the law student community, gathering information of particular interest to them (particularly internship and clerkship opportunities) and making that information available.

        I. The Veterans Law Appellate Advocacy Competition (VLAAC)

In October 2009 the Bar Association and the Court partnered to hold the first VLAAC. The Bar Association is poised to take the lead on running the VLAAC again this coming fall, and preparation for the competition requires year-round effort. Over the winter, the date, time, location, and cost need to be determined so that information on the competition can be distributed in early February. During the spring and summer, the committee needs to handle registration and inquiries from interested teams. During the summer, the problem needs to be designed and vetted. During the summer and fall, the logistics need to be worked out with the host site and the Court. Over the summer, judges must be recruited and scheduled. In the weeks before the competition, the briefs must be gathered and graded. On the day of the competition, numerous staff are needed to run the event including student and judge services, score tabulation, and coverage of the event. Throughout the year, the VLAAC.org website needs to be updated with current information.

To this end, the VLAAC needs volunteers to help with many of these assignments. Currently, James Ridgway is assigned to publicize the competition when it is announced and to develop the 2010 competition problem.

        II. The Introduction to Veterans Law Program

The CAVC Bar Association needs to decide what, if any, relationship it wants to develop with law schools that offer (or are interested in offering) a course on veterans law, and those individuals teaching such a course.

The Bar Association is developing an hour-long power point presentation that can be given at law schools to help introduce law students to veterans law. The program will stand alone, but may also be presented in conjunction with CAVC oral arguments at law schools. The presentation should be completed by early February.

Volunteers interested in learning to give the presentation are welcome. A volunteer may also be needed to contact schools about scheduling presentations and to handle communications and scheduling with schools
and presenters.

        III. The Student Member Section of the Bar Association

The Law School Education Committee is interested in developing new ways to reach out to law students. One initiative is to develop a page on the Bar Association's website devoted to student members. The purpose of this page would be to gather and present information of particular interest to law students, including employment opportunities in veterans law (including summer, clerkship, and permanent positions). Another initiative is to consider reaching out to law schools with veterans law clinics and provide information
or a "partner" Bar Association member who could answer questions, etc.

The committee needs one or more volunteers to contact potential employers about available opportunities and develop other ideas about student-focused initiatives.

To join contact any of the following:        Alice Kerns Akerns@uscourts.cavc.gov
                                                                   James Ridgway JRidgway@uscourts.cavc.gov
                                                                    Louis George Louis_George@nvlsp.org


Publications Committee

The Publications Committee prepares and distributes the Bar Association's regular publications to the membership. The three primary responsibilities are: 1) preparing and distributing the quarterly newsletter; 2) maintaining the Bar Association's website; and 3) preparing and distributing an email of recent developments on a weekly or biweekly basis.

        I. The Quarterly Newsletter

The Quarterly Newsletter, currently titled "Veterans Law Journal" (VLJ), is a 12-20 page .pdf document that is normally distributed electronically. In the past, the VLJ, has placed a strong emphasis on describing and analyzing recent arguments and decisions. Going forward, this component will be limited to the most far-reaching cases. As the pace of programming increases, the VLJ will increase event coverage. Additionally, a number of non-time-sensitive sections will be added that would provide specialized information
of use to the Bar including 1) an overlooked web resources section; 2) a short book review section; and 3) a peek inside some of the major offices (VA, VSO, and private bar) — something like a short, print-version of "Meet the [fill in the blank]." The VLJ will also include information on upcoming events and cover bigger developments such as P&P Rules revisions, VA’s regulation rewrite project, etc.

To this end, the VLJ needs volunteers both to generate content and to produce the finished .pdf. Volunteers would probably be assigned specific pieces of content to generate for each issue or specific duties in producing the finished product. We may also need volunteers to take pictures at events.

        II. The Bar Association's Website

The Bar Association has an established website. The Website Subcommittee is responsible for keeping the content current and exploring potential expansion of the content and functionality of the website. The Subcommittee has a chair and a technical specialist. At the moment, no major initiatives are planned to alter the website, but volunteers with specific ideas are welcome to voice interest in this committee.

        III. Recent Developments Email List

This is a new initiative. The goal of this regular email contact is to inform members of recent decisions, arguments, and other significant developments. The email will also include reminders about upcoming events. The content for this email will probably be brief with a focus on simply making members aware without overwhelming them. Preferably, the emails will have embedded links to oral argument audio and .pdfs of the decisions. Volunteers are needed to generate content and handle its regular distribution.

To join contact:          James Ridgway JRidgway@uscourts.cavc.gov



Portrait Committee

The Portrait Committee has responsibility to ensure that each retiring Judge is honored with a commissioned portrait to commemorate his or her commitment to justice for veterans. Committee members coordinate with the Court, the retiring Judge, the Judge's former law clerks, portrait artists, and members of the CAVC Bar Association to raise funds, select an artist, procure the portrait, and plan the presentation ceremony to the Court. No artistic talent necessary!

To join contact:          Alice Kerns Akerns@uscourts.cavc.gov

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