Five Students in Syracuse University College of Law’s Spring 2026 Betty and Michael D. Wohl Veterans Legal Clinic (VLC) have received the 2026 Student Service Award from the National Law School Veterans Clinic Consortium (NLSVCC) in recognition of their outstanding contributions to the Consortium and the field of Veterans Law.
The award was presented at the National Conference of the National Law School Veterans Clinic Consortium, held at Stetson University College of Law. Professor Beth Kubala, Director of the VLC, and Staff Attorneys Seth Owens L’24 and Andrew Patterson L’24 accepted the award on behalf of the Spring 2026 student attorneys.
The NLSVCC Student Service Award is presented each year to a student or students in a member law school veterans clinic who, over the course of the last year, have made outstanding contributions to the work of the Consortium. The award recognizes meaningful service to the organization and its mission, including work that advances veterans law, supports law school veterans clinics, and contributes to broader advocacy on behalf of veterans and their families.
In notifying the clinic of the award, the NLSVCC wrote: “On behalf of the NLSVCC board, I want to inform you that we will be awarding your students with the Student Service Award, which is awarded each year to a student in a member law school veterans clinic who, over the course of the last year, made outstanding contributions to the NLSVCC’s work. Your students have helped us get our blog back up and running, and we are grateful for it.”
This year, Syracuse Law’s Spring 2026 VLC students were honored for their contributions to the Veterans Law Prof Blog, a national platform for commentary and analysis on issues affecting veterans, servicemembers, and their families. Each student in the spring clinic authored a blog post addressing a timely and important issue in veterans law and policy.
The student contributors were:
- Hannah Boyer L’27
- Josephine Estrada-Jones L’27
- Amelia Khbais L’27
- Afan Mustafic L’26
- Mia Sill L’27
Their articles addressed topics including Veterans Treatment Courts, homeless veteran support, the myth of “easy” discharge upgrades, and media claims of fraudulent disability claims. Together, the posts reflected the students’ careful legal analysis, commitment to public education, and dedication to elevating issues that affect veterans navigating complex legal and administrative systems.
“This award recognizes the important role law students can play in shaping public understanding of veterans law,” said Kubala. “Our Spring 2026 student attorneys brought thoughtfulness, professionalism, and purpose to their work. Their articles helped explain complex issues in a way that is accessible and meaningful, while also contributing to the national conversation about how we serve veterans and their families.”
The recognition also reflects the broader mission of the VLC, where students represent veterans and their families in matters involving U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs benefits, discharge upgrades, and related legal issues. Under faculty and attorney supervision, student attorneys develop practical lawyering skills while providing client-centered representation to those who have served.
In addition to direct client advocacy, the clinic emphasizes legal scholarship, policy awareness, and service to the broader veterans law community. The Spring 2026 students’ work on the Veterans Law Prof Blog offered an opportunity to connect their clinical experience with public-facing analysis, helping readers better understand the legal challenges and policy debates that shape veterans’ access to justice.
The award is a significant national recognition of Syracuse Law students’ contributions to the NLSVCC and to the field of veterans law. It also underscores Syracuse Law’s strength in experiential legal education, where students learn by doing, serve real clients and communities, and contribute to important legal conversations beyond the classroom.
“Their work demonstrates what clinical legal education is designed to do,” said Kubala. “It prepares students to become skilled, ethical, and reflective lawyers while also making a meaningful difference for clients, communities, and the profession.”
The Spring 2026 Veterans Legal Clinic students’ articles are available on the Veterans Law Prof Blog: https://www.veteranslawprofblog.com/.
