School of Law Magazine

VETLAW PROGRAM

Eddie Ocampo (left), Jill Sauber (center) and David Best (right).

Legal Services in Minneapolis, regularly advises veterans – both in her private practice and through the Vetlaw program. Sauber has family members and mentors who served in Vietnam, and “feel[s] strongly about giving back to those veterans who were drafted, served, and were lucky enough to return to the States – unappreciated when they returned home from war.” Sauber started volunteering with the Vetlaw program when she was in law school, helping with intake and forms. “It was the perfect way to help veterans in an immediate way.” She, too, emphasized the relationships she builds with Vetlaw clients and how appreciative they are for the help. “The Vetlaw program gives you instant feedback

– the veterans are extremely appreciative for anything you can assist them with, and they leave the legal clinic with more answers than they came with. I love hearing the stories from veterans and getting to know them as we walk through their legal issues during the clinics.” “The law school seeks to foster in its students a commitment to serving those in need,” Dean Robert Vischer said. “Our alumni who volunteer for the Vetlaw program are giving back to men and women who have given so much to our country. We could not be prouder of their contributions to this program.”

who have sacrificed on behalf of the rest of us.” The most rewarding part is “being included in the veterans’ community in even a small way. Despite having extremely diverse backgrounds, political opinions and socioeconomic positions, veterans have many shared goals and are extremely accepting of anyone who is willing to help out a member of their community.” Wolf experiences this culture of gratitude every time he goes to the VA for a pro bono legal advice clinic, he said, when Nick Ingman, an Army veteran and VA employee, brings him a soda and says, “Thanks for your volunteer work helping veterans.” Jill Sauber ’13 J.D. , who practices estate and elder law at Sauber

Spring 2020 Page 19

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