Veterans Justice Reception

Event Program

3:00 – 3:30 PM

Light Refreshments & Networking

Enjoy refreshments and connect with other guests

3:45 – 4:00 PM

Speaking Program

Welcome remarks and presentation of Honoree Awards

5:00 PM

Event Conclusion

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Honoree Awards

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Bill Brockett Pro Bono Attorney of the Year Award

Joel Morgan

In memory of the late Bill Brockett who was deeply committed to public service, we recognize Joel Morgan, who exemplifies this same spirit while serving our community’s veterans. An attorney with Travelers, Joel is a longtime member of Swords to Plowshares’ Pro Bono Advisory Board. Even as he transitioned to new law firms, Joel has consistently maintained his commitment over the past eight years to providing pro bono assistance to unjustly served veterans. Prior to his legal career, Joel served as a Captain in the U.S. Army where he deployed on consecutive combat tours to Kosovo and Iraq.  Joel’s military decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, the Expert Field Medical Badge, and the Army Parachutist Badge (Airborne).  We thank Joel for his consistent participation and insight and support of Swords’ mission.

This annual award, named in memory of William “Bill” Brockett Jr., who co-founded Keker, Van Nest & Peters LLP, is presented to a volunteer attorney for their outstanding service to veterans and dedication to Swords to Plowshares’ Veterans Pro Bono Program.

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Pro Bono Firm of the Year Award

Latham & Watkins LLP

Latham & Watkins has been instrumental in our advocacy for veterans with less than honorable, or "bad paper," discharges. For over eight years, Latham has represented Swords in a petition for rulemaking as well as in two lawsuits against VA regarding its Character of Discharge (COD) regulations, which determine whether a veteran with "bad paper" is eligible for VA benefits. Historically, the VA’s COD regulations have kept out veterans whose discharges followed their experiences of racism, sexual trauma, and combat-related PTSD. As a result, veterans most in need were denied crucial VA care. Latham’s tireless advocacy led the VA to finally publish improved COD regulations in April 2024, which will make it easier for veterans to access the benefits and care they had previously been denied. Latham’s attorneys have exemplified quality lawyering and a commitment to veterans through thousands of hours of pro bono work, and we deeply appreciate their partnership in this crucial work.

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National Hero to Veterans Award

The Honorable Nancy Pelosi  

We honor The Honorable Nancy Pelosi, Speaker Emerita of the U.S. House of Representatives, for her lifetime service of championing the rights of our nation’s veterans and advocating for programs that truly meet their needs. Since the beginning of her career as a Congresswoman in the late 1980s, Speaker Pelosi has worked closely with Swords to Plowshares to ensure no veteran is ever left behind. She joined Swords to Plowshares’ Advisory Board in 1998 and was instrumental in facilitating the opening of the nation’s first-ever permanent supportive housing for formerly homeless veterans in the Presidio. She has always recognized the need to listen to veterans and veteran advocates, like Michael Blecker, in order to advance policies and programs that provide dignified services and support to veterans and their families. Speaker Pelosi successfully passed the PACT Act – arguably the most significant legislation in history for veterans, removing the burden of proof and allowing hundreds of thousands of veterans from all generations to access the benefits and care they need to heal from toxic exposures. Most recently, Speaker Pelosi secured nearly $1M in federal funding to launch Swords to Plowshares’ Veterans Community Center in San Francisco, which combats isolation among aging veterans and offers low-barrier, innovative solutions to engage with unhoused veterans.

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Congratulations to each of our honorees, and a heartfelt thank you to John Keker and Keker, Van Nest & Peters for graciously hosting and partnering with us for this reception. We also extend our sincere thanks to all of you for joining us today!

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‍About Swords’ Pro Bono Program

Since our founding in 1974, we have proudly provided free legal services to veterans seeking access to Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits and assistance with military discharge upgrade applications through the Department of Defense. Each year, our attorneys help hundreds of veterans, but thousands more need legal assistance. The processes to obtain veterans benefits and correct military records can be complex and confusing to those without legal training. That is why in 2012, we launched the Pro Bono Program to increase our capacity to reach more low-income and unhoused veterans.

Through the Pro Bono Program, volunteer attorneys help veterans access the care and services they need and earned through military service. Our Pro Bono Program offers both limited and full scope volunteer opportunities primarily through Legal Clinics, representation in military discharge upgrade applications, and records review. We thank the 30+ Bay Area law firms and corporations that partner with us.

Our staff attorneys also provide an annual CLE-accredited training on veterans’ benefits law and military discharge upgrades in partnership with the Practising Law Institute. These trainings prepare attorneys to become VA-accredited and also prepare them to take discharge upgrade cases.

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Stay connected with Swords to Plowshares: Follow us on Facebook, X, LinkedIn, and Instagram, or subscribe to our e-newsletter, Inside Swords, for updates on our work and ways to get involved.

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