There are 25 million veterans of the United States military who are potentially eligible for benefits. Over 1 million have already applied; another million are expected to do so in the next year. This tidal wave of claims has swamped the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) contributing to an error rate so me estimate at over 80%. Coupled with the lingering effects of over a century in "splendid isolation" from judicial review, veterans seeking benefits face a broad array of legal challenges. The result is a rapidly expanding practice area for attorneys with a wide range of training and experience.

This course provides attorneys a basic understanding of the VA claims and appeals process and the fundamental tools to help veteran clients navigate the maze of applicable laws and regulations. Two experienced practioners will share insights on how VA really decides a veteran's claim, keys to a successful interaction with VA decisionmakers, the path of an appeal of an adverse decision, and how to obtain attorney's fees. The material will also address ancillary, but increasingly important issues, including fiduciary matters, incarcerated veteran issues, and survivor rights.

See Agenda

Speaker Information

Attorney Katrina J. Eagle Katrina Eagle Veteran Law Office – San Diego, CA KATRINA J. EAGLE represents veterans nationwide in a wide array of issues involving benefit entitlements by the Department of Veterans Affairs. Her only clients are veterans and their family members, and she advocates for them before all 58 VA Regional Offices, the Board of Veterans' Appeals, the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (CAVC), as well as the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. Ms. Eagle has presented oral argument as veterans' counsel and amicus curiae in cases at the CAVC. Noteworthy cases include Harvey v. Shinseki, 24 Vet. App. 284 (2011) (sanctioning VA Secretary for failure to handle appeal expeditiously) and Freeman v. Shinseki, 24 Vet. App. 404 (2011) (holding that veteran beneficiaries now have same right to appeal fiduciary appointment as any other VA decision affecting benefits). In February 2012, she presented testimony to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs' Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations in the matter of "Reforming the VA's Flawed Fiduciary System." Ms. Eagle also has extensive experience training veterans service representatives, attorneys and other veterans' advocates, and is a frequent speaker before state bar associations, veterans service organizations and at legal seminars. Ms. Eagle received her B.A. in International Affairs from The George Washington University in 1993 and her J.D. from the George Mason University School of Law in 1999. She is admitted to practice law in California, Maryland, and before the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. When not representing veterans, Ms. Eagle enjoys chasing after her two children and her yellow Lab, Wilson. She also dabbles in triathlons and marathons (13 to date) in her copious spare time.

Attorney Douglas J. Rosinski, Esq. Law Office of Douglas J. Rosinski – Columbia, SC Mr. Rosinski concentrates his practice on veterans rights and benefits. He has litigated cases on behalf of veterans and their families before the Department of Veterans Affairs regional offices, the Board of Veterans' Appeals, the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, federal district court, the Federal Circuit Court of Appeals, and state courts. Mr. Rosinski has been an Adjunct Professor of Law and lectures and trains on veterans law, VA benefits, and related litigation techniques throughout the country. Mr. Rosinski has discussed veterans' issues in national and local media, including 60 Minutes, the New York Times, the Washington Post, and numerous local outlets. Mr. Rosinski is a veteran of the United States Navy Submarine Force where he earned silver and gold dolphins, and was qualified as a nuclear engineering officer. Before beginning to practice law, Mr. Rosinski participated in the startup, testing, operation, and safety management of a wide range of nuclear facilities. Following graduation from law school, Mr. Rosinski applied his technical experience to a practice in administrative law and regulatory compliance. He assisted clients in complying with federal regulations on the design, operation, and maintenance of nuclear facilities, and has represented clients in licensing and enforcement actions before the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and Department of Energy. Mr. Rosinski earned a Bachelor of Science, with distinction, in Physics and Astronomy from the University of Rochester in 1981 and a Juris Doctor, cum laude, from the University of South Carolina School of Law in 1997. He is admitted to the bar in Georgia, South Carolina, and the District of Columbia, various federal jurisdictions, the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, and the United States Supreme Court. He is a member of the American Bar Association, American Nuclear Society, American Society of Mechanical Engineers, Federal Bar Association, and Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers.

Pacific	12:30 PM – 03:45 PM
Mountain	01:30 PM – 04:45 PM
Central	02:30 PM – 05:45 PM
Eastern	03:30 PM – 06:45 PM

Total CLE Credit Hours: 3

Approved in the following states: CA (3), CO (4), NE (3), NJ (3), OR (3.25), PA (3), TX (2.75), WA (3), WV (3)

Approved through reciprocity in the following States: AK, AR, FL, HI, ME, MO, ND, and WI

In the following states, rebroadcasts are considered self-study and will not be approved for live credit: IA, PA, NE, NM

Application will be made for any State not listed if a registered attendee is requesting credit in that State. See our Satisfaction Guaranteed standard for credit and programing.

Live Video Webcast

View CLE class online.

Live Attendance

Attend CLE class in person:

The Venetian
3355 Las Vegas Boulevard South
Las Vegas, Nevada 89109
Directions

Tuition

First Registrant: $200
Add Associate/Paralegal: $150

Special: Young Lawyers, with under four (4) years acceptance to the Bar, may use coupon code YL25 to receive a $25 discount when checking out.

Note: Discounts can not be combined.