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Message A N N U A L E V E N T | J U N E 2 5 , 2 0 2 5A R T I S T S F O R H U M A N I T Y | B O S T O N

To help Massachusetts veterans overcomeadversity by providing free civil legal aid thathonors their service, promotes well-being, andresponds to their distinctive needs.M I S S I O NW H A T W E K N O WFor too many veterans, the physical, mental, andfinancial impact of military service results inhousing, financial, and family issues.Legal needs make up 9 of the top 10 unmetneeds of veterans experiencing housinginsecurity.Veterans with legal problems are nearly twice aslikely to experience suicidal ideation. And ourcountry is losing at least twenty-two veterans tosuicide every day.Veterans are at higher risk for legal problemssuch as evictions, financial problems, benefitsdenials, and family law problems. W H A T W E D OVLS works to resolve legal problems forapproximately 1,000 veterans a year bydelivering its services at community partnersites, which promotes veteran engagement andfosters collaboration and referrals among theveterans’ service providers—all with the goal ofimproving veteran well-being.

Approximately 70% of veteran households faceat least one civil legal challenge per year. Ofthose households, 21% face six or more legalchallenges annually.VLS prioritizes cases in which the veteran wouldotherwise go without assistance, whererepresentation is likely to have a significantimpact, and where VLS's specialized expertise inveterans' matters is needed. VLS has a waitinglist for veterans seeking legal help.Approximately 36% of VLS clients identify aspeople of color, even though only 7% ofMassachusetts veterans are people of color. Approximately 16% of VLS clients are womeneven though women make up only 6% of allveterans in Massachusetts.While about 20% of Massachusetts veterans havea service-connected disability, more than 72% ofVLS clients have a diagnosed disability. W H O W E S E R V EVLS staff and volunteer attorneys conduct clinicsat seven partner sites and, with your support, VLSplans to add sites in the coming years!New England Center & Home for VeteransNorfolk County Veterans Treatment CourtVA Bedford Healthcare SystemVA Boston Healthcare SystemVeterans Home at ChelseaVolunteers of America – MA at LawrenceVolunteers of America – MA at QuincyW H E R E W E S E R V E

V L S H I G H L I G H T SD I V E R S I T Y , E Q U I T Y , A N D I N C L U S I O NDiversity, equity, and inclusionis at the heart of VLS's missionand work, and a DEI lens isbrought to all aspects of VLS.VLS's board of directors andstaff reflect the population VLS serves and are diverse inage, financial capacity, gender,lived experience, race, sexualorientation, and skillset. VLS and its supporters had the pleasure ofhearing from Doris Kearns Goodwin and her son,VLS board member Joe Goodwin, about theirexperiences as they navigated through school,politics, the military, and beyond. Together, weraised over $305,000 to support VLS's mission! J u l y 2 0 2 4 | V L S A n n u a l E v e n tVLS advocated for the most comprehensive pieceof veterans’ legislation in Massachusetts history.The HERO Act (An Act Honoring, Empowering,and Recognizing our Servicemembers andVeterans) includes over 30 provisions thatpositively impact hundreds of thousands ofveterans in Massachusetts, including nearly30,000 women veterans and thousands ofLGBTQ+ veterans. A u g u s t 2 0 2 4 | H E R O A c t S i g n e dVLS team members and volunteers set up atBoston City Hall Plaza alongside dozens of othersupportive services organizations and agencies toholistically address challenges faced by militaryveterans in Greater Boston.S e p t e m b e r 2 0 2 4 | S t a n d D o w n B o s t o n

T O N I G H T ’ S P R O G R A MWe are delighted to recognize and thank ourpartners and supporters for theircommitment to serving Massachusettsveterans. All proceeds support VLS's mission of helpingMassachusetts veterans overcome adversityby providing free civil legal aid that honorstheir service, promotes well-being, andresponds to their distinctive needs.WELCOME Chanal Neves-McCain, Esq.VLS Board MemberSuffolk University Law SchoolTHANKING TONIGHT’S SUPPORTERSWilliam B. Asher, Esq.VLS Board ChairPartner, Choate, Hall & Stewart (ret.)PRESENTATION OF AWARDSSarah Roxburgh, Esq.Co-Executive Director & Chief of OperationsVeterans Legal ServicesAnna Richardson, Esq.Co-Executive Director & Chief CounselVeterans Legal ServicesINTRODUCTION OF JON STEWARTJoseph Kearns Goodwin, Esq.VLS Board MemberBank of AmericaSPECIAL VIDEO MESSAGEJon Stewart The Daily Show

L Y N N A . G I R T O N D I S T I N G U I S H E D S E R V I C E A W A R DTara Dunn Jackson, Esq.The Distinguished Ser vice Award is presented annually to abusiness or individual in recognition of their impactfulcommunity contributions to achieving Veterans Legal Ser vices’mission of outreach to, and access to justice for,underrepresented populations. The award recognizes therecipient’s dedication of time, expertise, or resources to makea difference.Ta ra Dun n J a c kson is an associate at Mintz Levin, where shelitigates employ ment disputes before state and federal courtsand administrative agencies and counsels clients on a broadspectrum of employment issues. She has experience withcases involving defamation, discrimination, Title IX and TitleVI claims, and employment laws, as well as complexcommercial litigation. Tara represents clients in a wide rangeof industries, including the education sector.Prior to joining Mintz, Tara ser ved as a judicial law clerk forthe Honorable Judge Angel Kelley of the United StatesDistrict Court for the District of Massachusetts. She also ser vesin the Air Force Reser ves as an Assistant Judge AdvocateGeneral, where she litigates evidentiar y hearings, tries courts-martial, and advises commanders.She began her career as an assistant attorney general with theMassachusetts Attorney General’s Of fice, where she ser ved inthe Trial, Environmental Protection, and Civil Rights divisions.Tara is a 2017 graduate of Northeastern University School of Law. In law school, Tara won severalawards and was selected as one of two student speakers at her commencement. Prior to law school,she earned a Bachelor of Science in Political Science from the United States Air Force Academy, as aDivision I student-athlete in the Mountain West Conference. While a cadet, Tara earned her basicjump (skydiving) wings for completing multiple solo freefall jumps. Upon graduating the Academy,she ser ved on active duty in Space Command, before transferring to the United States Air ForceReser ve during law school.Tara ser ves as president of Massachusetts Black Women Attorneys, a member of the Board ofAdvisors of the Civil Rights and Restorative Justice Project, and trustee and fellow of theMassachusetts Bar Foundation. She is a former board member at Prisoners’ Legal Ser vices ofMassachusetts and former member of the Boston Bar Civil Rights Steering Committee.Tara is a recipient of the National Bar Association, 40 Under 40 award (2025), Just the Beginning 5Under 40 Legal Professionals award (2024) and the Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly Excellence in theLaw, Up & Coming Lawyer award (2020).

The Outstanding Advocate Award is presented to anindividual or organization in recognition of their directcommunity ser vices and outstanding advocacy on behalf ofveterans and military families. At Holland & Knight, honoring veterans is part of their fabric.They believe it is their privilege and responsibility to assistveterans in need. The H&K Veterans Group was founded on the fundamentalpremise that the people who have served our countr y anddefended our freedoms deser ve the firm’s talent andresources to improve their quality of life. The Veterans Groupsupports veterans, active-duty militar y members, reservists,and the families of each through pro bono and communityservice activities in their local communities and nationally. Since 2016, H&K has performed 47,000 pro bono hours onveteran and military-related matters—valued at more than$32 million. Much of that work has been done by H&K’sBoston office, where Veterans Group Co-Chair and Pro BonoChair Nicholas Hasenfus works. Over the past decade, H&K’s Boston office has partnered withVeterans Legal Services by providing pro bono representationon veterans’ cases, providing on-the-spot advice at GreaterBoston Stand Down, hosting VLS's annual fundraiser, and co-hosting an event for veterans who are in law school to connect them with each other andwith career and pro bono opportunities. H&K has provided pro bono representation to VLS clients in the areas of housing evictions, dischargeupgrades, federal benefits, veterans benefits, bankruptcy, elder law/estate planning, and sealing pastcriminal records to promote employment and housing prospects. Their attorneys have been intrepidand eager to assist on challenging matters and routinely achieve outstanding and, at times, life-changing outcomes for veterans. VLS is proud of this partnership and grateful for Holland & Knight’s steadfast commitment to—andoutstanding advocacy for—veterans in need. O U T S T A N D I N GA D V O C A T E A W A R DH O L L A N D & K N I G H T

J O N S T E W A R TT H E D A I L Y S H O WJon Stewart is considered one of America’s top socialand comedic voices. Stewart recently returned as host and executiveproducer of Comedy Central’s EMMY Award winningThe Daily Show. Picking up right where he left offfrom his original 16 year run as host, Stewartcontinues to redefine and set the bar for politicalsatire in American culture. In 2021, Stewart launchedThe Problem with Jon Stewart which ran for twoseasons on AppleTV+. The EMMY nominated series,which Stewart hosted and executive produced,brought together people impacted by different partsof a global problem to discuss how we come up withchange. Stewart is also the host and executiveproducer of The Weekly Show, a podcast featuringin-depth conversations where Stewart and his specialguests discuss the challenges, changes and ideasthat are shaping our world. In addition to his work both in front and behind thecamera, Stewart is also a dedicated social activist.His efforts have played an integral role in the passingof legislation such as the PACT Act which providesneeded medical coverage to veterans that wereexposed to toxic burn pits and the 9/11 VictimCompensation Fund Bill, which benefitted thousandsof first responders and their families. Stewart alsoworks tirelessly on behalf of America’s woundedveterans through initiatives led by organizationssuch as the Wounded Warrior Project and TeamRubicon.VLS extends its deepest appreciation to Jon for hissignificant contributions in supporting veteransthroughout the United States. We are honored tohave Jon share his message with our donors,volunteers, and the entire VLS team. Thank you, Jon!

William B. Asher, Esq., Board ChairNicole Jackson Leslie, Esq., SecretaryElyse Marks, TreasurerDaniel Carey, CPAJennifer GlanvilleJoseph Kearns Goodwin, Esq.*Nicholas Hasenfus, Esq.*Daniel LaPenta, Esq.*Anna Richardson, Esq., Co-Executive Director & Chief Counsel Sarah Roxburgh, Esq., Co-Executive Director & Chief of Operations Cindy Palmquist, Esq., Colonel Ruby W. Linn Managing AttorneyAngie Vargas, Esq., Pro Bono Director Rochelle Jones, Esq., Senior Staff AttorneyFranklin Schwarzer, Esq., Senior Staff Attorney*Katherine Coombs, Esq., Staff Attorney Perr y Denton, Esq., Staff Attorney*Jenna Dwy, Staff Attorney James Edward Johnson, III, Staff Attorney*Heather Rick, Business Manager & Program Data AnalystKate Gar vin, Communications & Development AssociateAdam Wintzer, Member, AmeriCorps Legal Advocates of MassachusettsBarbara Ortiz, Eligibility & Outreach SpecialistV L S T E A MV L S B O A R DIn MemoriamAllan Ryan 1945 - 2023Allan, an attorney and Marine Corps veteran, joined theVLS Board in 2014 and ser ved as chair from 2016 - 2023.We are forever grateful for Allan’s contributions and willforever miss his laugh, smile, character, and kindness.Stephanie Lin, Esq.Sean Morrissey*Chanal Neves-McCain, Esq.Jeong Park, Esq.*Alexandra Trobe, Esq.*Christopher Walton*Aneisha Worrell, Esq.*military veteran

C O U N C I L O F A D V I S O R SThe Council is comprised of persons recognized byVLS for their exceptional commitment to andsupport of VLS and its mission.F R I E N D S O F V L SFriends of VLS is a group of distinguishedindividuals invited by the VLS Board of Directors tobe affiliated with the organization due to theirspecial knowledge of veterans’ issues, legal ser vices,philanthropy, and non-profit organizations.Rosemary Allen, Esq.Jacqueline Fearer Jonathan Hayden, Esq.*Jordan Krasnow, Esq.Kristen Kuliga, Esq. Hon. James McHugh, III (ret.)*Tim McLaughlin, Esq.*Sean Mullaney, Esq.*Robin Azar Orazem Lily RoblesSteve SheinkopfAndrew von Kuhn*James P. Whitters, III, Esq.*Richard Allen, Esq. Michael Douvadjian*Doris Kearns Goodwin Scott Harshbarger, Esq. Michael B. Keating, Esq.*Coleman Nee* Steve Oleskey, Esq. Stephen PagliucaJohn “Jack” J. Regan, Esq.* William F. Sinnott, Esq.**military veteran

A C C E S S T O J U S T I C EF E L L O W SThe Access to Justice Fellows Program, a project ofthe Massachusetts Access to Justice Commissionand the Lawyers Clearinghouse, enables seniorlawyers and retired judges to partner withnonprofit organizations, courts, and other publicservice entities to increase equal justice for all.Although lawyers are encouraged to provide probono services throughout their careers, they are notoften offered a role to play after retirement. Bymatching senior lawyers with groups that needtheir help, the program allows these lawyers to usetheir specialized skills and experience to doengaging pro bono work, remain active members ofthe legal community, and help people and groupsin need.V L S A C C E S S T O J U S T I C E F E L L O W S :2023 – 2024: Susan Anderson, Esq.2022 – 2023: Michelle Wolf, Esq. 2019 – 2020: Pamela Meister, Esq. 2018 – 2019: Jonathan Feltner, Esq.*2018 – 2019: Crispin Birnbaum, Esq. 2017 – 2018: Steve Parker, Esq.*2016 – 2017: Hon. Paul Chernoff* (deceased)2015 – 2016: Hon. John Cratsley (ret.)*2014 – 2015: Richard Allen, Esq. 2014 – 2015: Jordan Krasnow, Esq. 2013 – 2014: Rosemary Allen, Esq. *military veteran

P R O B O N O VLS’s pro bono program was developed to harnessthe private bar's interest in supporting militaryveterans and to match attorneys with VLS volunteeropportunities. VLS continues to expand andstrengthen its pro bono program, which has almost350 volunteer attorneys and over 50 law firmsrepresented. In October 2024 (Pro Bono Month), VLS co-hostedan event with South Coastal Counties LegalServices to introduce South Shore attorneys to VLSand pro bono opportunities, and to provideeducation around veteran-specific issues. Also inOctober, VLS was proud to recognize WilmerHale asan Outstanding Pro Bono Partner - Firm, andStephanie Chesney of Cozen O’Connor as anOutstanding Pro Bono Partner - Individual.As part of its strategic plan goals, VLS will continueto grow this program. Contact Pro Bono DirectorAngie Vargas to learn more:angie@veteranslegalservices.org. Thank you to VLS’s incredible pro bono attorneys,many of whom are here tonight!Mia FrabottaPartner, McCarter & English “You will rarely have the opportunity tomake such a critical difference in the lifeof another person as you willvolunteering to provide legal ser vices tohelp veterans. Working with VLS is one ofthe most rewarding volunteerexperiences you can have as a lawyer."

P R E S E N T I N G S P O N S O R SBill & Diane Asher

F I V E S T A R S P O N S O R S

F O U R S T A R S P O N S O R SRosemary & Richard AllenJoseph & Veronika GoodwinNick HasenfusThe Ryan FamilyAnonymous

T H R E E S T A R S P O N S O R SBoyle Family FundCammarata Family FoundationBrian CartyStephanie Lin & Brian HaleStacy & Sean MullaneyEdward & Robin Orazem

T W O S T A R S P O N S O R SRaymond DeSabatoMichael DouvadjianDaniel LaPentaNicole Jackson LeslieAmie StevensJames P. Whitters, III & Susan Moore

O N E S T A R S P O N S O R SConn KavanaughDynamis LLPHogan LovellsNelson MullinsPeabody & ArnoldSidleyRobert BadavasDan CareyJohn & Holly CratsleyDigger & Susan DonahueJordan & Jean KrasnowRich & Christine LeslieFannie & Cliff LinJames F. McHughJack & Joan ReganRobert & Lisa SchleeleinWorley Family Fund

P A R T N E R SVLS depends on the support of grants andprivate donations. It partners with pro bonoattorneys and veteran-ser ving organizations todeliver ser vices throughout Massachusetts.VLS is proud to receive funding from theorganizations below and supporters like you!Thank you.Dept. of Veterans Affairs Legal Services for Veterans ProgramDept. of Veterans Affairs SupportiveServices for Veteran Families Program

Online at www.veteranslegalservices.orgBy credit card or check at the registration desk tonight! Through your donor advised fundMail a check to Veterans Legal ServicesScan the QR code and donate nowWays to Givefacebook.com/VetsLegal Veterans Legal Services VetsLegaltwitter.com/VetsLegal Thank you to our donors,volunteers, and partners for yoursupport of VLS and Massachusettsveterans. We look for ward tocontinuing to work together tomeet the growing need in ourcommunity. Thank you for beingpart of the VLS team. Veterans Legal ServicesP.O. Box 8457, Boston, MA 02114www.veteranslegalservices.org