Syracuse University College of Law recently held a virtual swearing-in ceremony for 13 Summer 2026 JDinteractive (JDi) student attorneys in the Betty and Michael D. Wohl Veterans Legal Clinic. The Honorable Grant Jaquith, judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, administered the oath.
Professor Beth Kubala, director of the Veterans Legal Clinic and executive director of Clinical Legal Education, welcomed the students and guests, noting the College of Law’s strong commitment to experiential education. Through the College’s seven in-house clinics, students learn to apply doctrinal law while representing real clients under the supervision of faculty mentors.
The Veterans Legal Clinic provides free legal representation to veterans and their families seeking benefits from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or pursuing discharge upgrades through the military services. During the summer clinic, student attorneys gain practical experience in client representation, case management, advocacy, administrative practice, and military and veterans law.
Associate Dean for Academic Programs Shannon Gardner also addressed the students, describing the Veterans Legal Clinic as a pillar of the College of Law’s clinical offerings and a reflection of Syracuse University’s longstanding commitment to veterans and military-connected communities. She emphasized that the clinic gives JDi students a meaningful opportunity to practice law remotely while making a direct difference in the lives of veterans and their families.
Judge Jaquith’s remarks connected the students’ work to the broader national obligation to care for those who have served. He described veterans benefits advocacy as helping veterans in “battles without bullets” and reminded students that they may serve as a veteran’s “prayer for justice.” Drawing on his experience as a federal judge, former U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of New York, and retired Army JAG officer, Judge Jaquith stressed that careful preparation, professionalism, punctuality, and diligent advocacy are essential to effective lawyering.
He also discussed the importance of early legal assistance in veterans benefits cases, explaining that a strong record can help veterans avoid years of delay in the VA system. He encouraged the student attorneys to approach their work with seriousness and purpose, noting that veterans law continues to develop and that advocates have the opportunity to shape the law for years to come.
“The veterans that you help will be looking for you to help take care of them, to bring to bear the foremost foundational principle of our nation—the rule of law—so systems set up to secure justice for them and their families work as prescribed,” Judge Jaquith told the students. “It’s hard to imagine a more important role, a weightier responsibility, or a better opportunity.”
Following his remarks, Judge Jaquith administered the oath. The student attorneys pledged to act in their clients’ best interests, work diligently to protect their clients’ rights, present facts and law zealously but truthfully, remain courteous and civil in their professional dealings, maintain loyalty to their clients, and abide by the New York State Rules of Professional Conduct.
After the oath, Kubala congratulated the students as they began their work as members of the next generation of veterans advocates.
“Each of you is directly impacting the way our country treats its veterans,” Kubala said. “The way we take care of our veterans directly impacts our nation’s ability to sustain an all-volunteer force. Thank you for raising your right hand tonight to do your part in ensuring that our veterans receive the benefits they have earned.”
Student attorney Daniel Kenneally L’28 said the ceremony was especially meaningful given his own family’s military service and his decision to attend Syracuse Law.
“As a third-generation veteran, the mission and advocacy of the Betty and Michael D. Wohl Veterans Legal Clinic, and its dedicated staff, were the driving forces behind my decision to attend Syracuse University College of Law,” Kenneally said. “Our swearing-in ceremony marks a pivotal milestone in our legal education—the precise juncture where student practitioners are entrusted to advance this vital mission. Allowing students to serve veterans, as a meaningful repayment for their sacrifices, fully operationalizes Syracuse’s institutional commitment to being the premier veteran-friendly university.”