Montana Attorneys For Montana Veterans (MAMV) is an opportunity to serve those who have served us.  MAMV is a joint effort between The Montana Supreme Court and The University of Montana School of Law. MAMV is designed as a pro bono program to assist Montana veterans with claims for disability benefits before the Board of Veterans Affairs (BVA). Pro Bono representation allows preserving those benefits in their entirety for veterans.

To read more about representing veterans with disability claims and the great need, you can read the article authored by Prof. Hillary Wandler of The University of Montana School of Law.  A New Way for Lawyers to Assist Veterans found in the June 2009 issue of The Montana Lawyer magazine.  

Special provisions for representing vets before the BVA

1. Application to VA General Counsel (see link below for VA Form 21a). The accreditation process can take from four to six weeks.
2. Self-certification of admission information concerning practice before any other court, bar, or State or Federal agency.
3. Affirmative determination of character and fitness by VA (presumed by VA based on State bar membership in good standing).
   • Notice: Attorneys must be accredited with the VA prior to completing required CLE.
   Complete 3 hours of CLE during first 12-month period following date of initial VA accreditation. Course must be approved by any state bar association, and must cover the following topics at a minimum: 1) Representation before VA, 2) Claims procedures, 3) Basic eligibility for VA benefits, 4) Right to appeal, 5) Disability compensation, 6) Dependency and indemnity compensation, and 7) Pension. Must certify in writing to Office of General Counsel upon completion.

Post-accreditation requirements:

1. Complete additional 3 hours of qualifying CLE on veterans benefits law and procedures (not later than 3 years after initial accreditation, and every 2 years thereafter). Certify completion of post-accreditation CLE requirements in writing to Office of General Counsel upon completion.
2. Annually, submit to VA information about any court, bar, or Federal or State agency to which attorney is admitted to practice or appear, and certification of good standing

To learn more about accreditation, visit the accreditation page at the VA website or visit the Accreditation FAQs website.

Obtaining necessary CLE Credits at no cost

The American Bar Association produced a three-hour live-recorded program designed to educate attorneys about the VA claims process.  Viewing the video qualifies for the 3-hour CLE requirement for Veterans Administration accreditation.  However, the recordings do not qualify for CLE accreditation.  Click here for more information. 

To learn more about the ABA's Veterans Legal Services Initiative, click here. 

The Practising Law Institute (PLI) provides on demand and live webcast CLE.  PLI is preemtively approved in Montana, and courses intended to encourage and support pro bono are offered at no cost.  Click here to visit PLI's veteran related on demand library. 

Note:  The Veterans Administration accepts CLE credits approved in any state.  The State Bar of Montana accepts CLE credits approved by the American Bar Association.

Note:  You must receive your VA accreditation before you obtain your CLE credits.  The application processing takes approximately 4 weeks. Keep this in mind when planning your CLE. 

The Veterans Administration accepts CLE credits approved in any state.  The State Bar of Montana accepts CLE credits approved by the American Bar Association.