Veterans Law Conference Recognizes the Military Service of Women and LGBT Veterans

SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 31, 2017 -- Golden Gate University School of Law will hold its fifth Veterans Law Conference on November 3 in an ongoing effort to raise awareness of the legal, health, and employment issues veterans may face.

Under the theme, “Recognizing the Military Service of Women and LGBT Veterans:
Promoting Achievements & Solving Challenges,” legal experts and veteran advocates will discuss the unique issues facing populations that have often been marginalized in, and historically excluded from, military service.  The conference comes at a time of firsts: the first woman has completed the rigorous Army Ranger training, and West Point selected the first African-American woman cadet for the coveted first captain position. However, women and LGBT service members and veterans continue to face issues of discrimination.

In their keynote speeches, Colonel Linda Strite Murnane, United States Air Force (retired) and Chair of the American Bar Association Judicial Division, and Heliana Ramirez, PhD, LISW, Lead LGBT Veteran Care Coordinator, Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System, will discuss the history of women and LGBT veterans in the military, the progress that’s been made, and the obstacles that remain, including recent proposals that have reignited the debate about allowing transgender soldiers to serve.

Tickets are still available. Visit the event website for details and registration.

The conference is part of GGU Law’s longtime commitment to veterans’ issues through its Veterans Legal Advocacy Center (VLAC), which provides pro bono legal services to veterans seeking health care and compensation for service-related injuries. Students work on military discharge upgrade applications, on administrative appeal and in U.S. District Court, including other-than-honorable discharges of service members discharged under the military’s repealed “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy and those who have suffered military sexual assault and undiagnosed PTSD. The Center makes special efforts to assist the most vulnerable veteran populations and those least connected to existing service networks— recently returned, women, non-citizen, LGBT, and elderly veterans.

GGU, which has a proud tradition of expanding access to legal education, is the first law school in Northern California to have a Veterans Clinic on campus.

EVENT DETAILS:
Friday, November 3, 2017
9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Fifth Annual Veterans Law Conference
Recognizing the Military Service of Women and LGBT Veterans: Promoting Achievements & Solving Challenges
Honorable Lee D. Baxter Courtroom – Room 2203
Golden Gate University School of Law (GGU Law)
536 Mission Street
San Francisco, CA  94105

Registration is required and includes breakfast and three hours of MCLE credit.
To register, visit: https://alumni.ggu.edu/fifth-annual-veterans-conference
Military veterans – no charge
Students - $10
Individual tickets - $20

CONTACT: Paula Murphy
415-999-7241
[email protected]