AG Mark Herring Visits NOVA During Veterans Legal Services Clinic

PHOTOS: On Friday, the Office of the Attorney General wrapped up its first ever pro bono Veterans Legal Services Clinics at Northern Virginia Community College Annandale Campus. The NOVA location was one of four locations for the initiative that took place during the first week of March. Photos courtesy of NOVA

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FAIRFAX COUNTY, VA -- More than 30 veterans from surrounding communities attended the pro bono Veterans Legal Services Clinic Friday at the Northern Virginia Community College Annandale campus, according to a news release from the school. Here's more about the clinics, from the news release:

NOVA was one of four locations throughout Virginia to host the clinics organized through a new partnership with the Virginia Department of Veterans Services (DVS), Virginia State Bar (VSB) and Virginia’s Attorney General Mark R. Herring.

Volunteer attorneys from the Office of the Attorney General and VSB were available to serve veterans and military families by drafting wills, powers of attorney and advance medical directives. The clinics took place in multiple locations during the first week of March. According to the Office of the Attorney General, the volunteer attorneys assisted more than 130 veterans by hosting the four clinics throughout the state.

Herring explained that the legal services provided during the pro bono clinics would normally cost between $500 and $1,000. Herring attended all four events making stops at Tidewater Community College Chesapeake Campus, J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College Parham Road Campus, Virginia Western Community College and NOVA. While visiting, Herring spoke to veterans and their families and witnessed the signing of some of their wills.

“We at the Attorney General’s Office are very proud of our veterans. These are really important documents, and during life’s unexpected challenges the last thing you want to think about is who’s going to make decisions,” Herring explained. “This is not only helping veterans talk to family members about what their wishes are, but it also helps give a lot of them peace of mind.”

The Office of the Attorney General is dedicated to supporting Virginians who are serving and who have served in the military. There are 27 military bases in Virginia and approximately 750,000 Virginia residents are veterans.

Herring is personally committed to supporting employment opportunities for veterans, guard and reserve. In August 2014, Herring signed the ESGR Statement of Support pledging his support to Guard and Reserve employees. The Office of the Attorney General also became a member of the Virginia Values Veterans (V3) Program under the direction of Herring.

Heather Hays Lockerman, senior assistant attorney general chief with the Financial Law and Government Support Section of the Office of the Attorney General, said they will continue to take registration applications through their website for those interested in upcoming legal clinic events.