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.
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.”