By KELSEY SWANEKAMP
Buffalo Law Journal

Veterans' legal issues continue to be a top concern among Western New York lawyers.

On Thursday, the Erie Institute of Law and the Mental Health Association of Erie County co-hosted a seminar for lawyers about navigating veterans' legal issues for lawyers, called "Nuts and Bolts of Veterans' Benefits."`

"When veterans come back, there are issues they don't even know are issues, and benefits they don't even know they have," said Jennifer Stergion, the former chairwoman of the Committee on Veterans & Service-Members Legal Issues.

In May 2008, Stergion pushed for an ad hoc committee to be formed by the Bar Association of Erie County to address the legal intricacies of veterans' issues.

Her inspiration came from speaking with veterans and "hearing them vent their frustrations." As of June 2009, the committee has gained permanent standing.

"We're moving from crawling to walking," said Michael Lancer, current committee chairman.

Thursday's seminar was free to any lawyer who agreed to take a veteran's case pro bono. Lancer said that many lawyers have expressed interest in handling these types of cases.

"We hope people will take on veterans' cases. It's like volunteer work," he said.

Paul Blachowicz, a decision-review officer at the Department of Veterans Affairs regional office, and Jeffrey Cesar, an accredited state veterans' counselor with the New York State Division of Veterans' Affairs, spoke during the event.

Cesar discussed the array of benefits available to veterans on both the federal and state levels. The seminar also covered the claims process and compensation.

Lancer added that proper education is essential for effectively handling veterans' cases.

Without knowing the specific rules, he said, "you can have the best of intentions, but you can end up hurting their case."

Stergion said that many veterans' cases involve custody issues. "Rapid and repeated deployments take a huge toll on families," she said.

She added that attendance at the event - about 60 people - evidenced the concern in the local legal community for veterans and service members.

"I hope it sends a clear signal," she said. "We're lawyers, but we do have hearts."

Lancer, an attorney with Cascone & Kluepfel LLP, said that the committee aims to make legal services readily available to veterans and active-duty service members.

He added that Buffalo City Court Judge Hon. Robert Russell has been instrumental in the success of the committee, which works closely with the Veterans Treatment Court.

"Whenever we need him, he's there," said Lancer.

The committee has also teamed up with other organizations, including the University at Buffalo Law School and the Erie County Veterans Service Agency.