Bosley & Bratch associate attorney Dan Smith presented at the Fall 2014 conference for the National Organization for Veterans Advocates (NOVA) at the Coronado Springs Resort in Orlando, Florida on practice before the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims. Dan is a former judicial law clerk at the Court, having served in that role for almost three years before entering private practice at Bosley & Bratch in 2011. As a judicial law clerk, Dan was responsible for assisting a federal judge prepare decisions concerning claims for VA benefits. As such, he was able to provide the audience, made up mostly of attorneys and veterans advocates, a unique perspective on how to practice before the Court.
Dan’s presentation focused on the Court’s rules of practice and procedure (such as how long a veteran has to file an appeal to the Court). He also provided attorneys and advocates with tips for effective advocacy.
The conference took place from September 18 to September 20 in Orlando. This was Dan’s second presentation at a NOVA conference. He spoke in September 2013 on clear and unmistakable error in VA decisions, better known to most veterans as “CUE.”
What is the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims?
Many veterans are not entirely familiar with the Court. Basically, veterans who have their claims denied at the Board of Veterans’ Appeals must appeal to the Court for relief. The Court, which is located in Washington DC, provides veterans an opportunity for judicial review before a federally-appointed judge. Learn more about the VA appeals process.