State Bar Hosts 2025 Veterans’ Legal Services Roundtable to Strengthen Access to Justice

State Bar Hosts 2025 Veterans' Legal Services Roundtable to Strengthen Access to Justice

The State Bar of California convened the 2025 Veterans' Legal Services Roundtable at its San Francisco office on September 26, bringing together more than 20 legal service providers, government agencies, and community advocate organizations dedicated to serving California's veterans.

Hosted by the State Bar's Office of Access & Inclusion, the roundtable explored new and ongoing legal challenges facing veterans amid rapidly evolving federal policies and complex support systems. Participants examined issues such as the digital divide, uneven deployment of resources, and barriers to reaching veterans in rural or underserved communities-all of which affect veterans' ability to access legal help and essential benefits.

"The State Bar was pleased to host the 2025 Veterans' Legal Services Roundtable, adding to our long-standing commitment to veterans in California," said Elizabeth Hom, Program Director, Office of Access & Inclusion. "We recognize veterans' service and the increasingly complex challenges that veterans, their communities, and related advocates face. Participants from legal services organizations statewide, including State Bar grantees, along with key government and community stakeholders shared their incredible dedication and collaborative spirit in serving our veteran community, while exploring the rapidly evolving policy terrain. We are excited to continue to partner with this group of experts and advocates to strengthen partnerships, coordinate support, and share insights to improve access to justice for those who have served our country."

The roundtable featured focused discussions throughout the day, including:

• Landscape Review, Trends, and Developments: An overview of current challenges and opportunities in veterans' legal aid.

• Technology: Opportunities and Limitations: An exploration of how legal technology can improve access to justice while addressing digital inequities.

• Federal Policy Shifts and State Actions: An examination of how California is responding proactively to changes in federal policy that affect service delivery.

• Collaboration and Best Practices: Strategies for aligning efforts among organizations and agencies to strengthen services for veterans.

Representatives shared on-the-ground insights and solutions, exchanging strategies for reaching veterans across California and addressing legal issues that impact their lives and families.

"CalVet was honored to participate in the State Bar of California's Veterans' Legal Services Roundtable," said Keith Boylan, Undersecretary of the California Department of Veterans Affairs. "The event provided an ideal venue to bring people together to explore innovative ways to help veterans navigate challenging and complex legal issues. It's more important now than ever to strengthen our collaboration in providing the legal support that veterans and their families need."

Other participants included Bay Area Legal Aid, California Department of Justice, California Rural Legal Assistance Inc., California Women's Law Center, Disability Rights California, Family Violence Law Center, Inner City Law Center, Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles, Legal Aid of Sonoma County, Legal Aid Society of San Diego, Legal Services for Seniors, Public Law Center, San Luis Obispo Legal Assistance Foundation, Swords to Plowshares, UC Law San Francisco, UCLA Veterans Legal Clinic, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, USD School of Law Legal Clinics, and Veterans Legal Institute.

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The State Bar of California's mission is to protect the public and includes the primary functions of licensing, regulation and discipline of attorneys; the advancement of the ethical and competent practice of law; and support of efforts for greater access to, and inclusion in, the legal system.