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Congratulations to TJSL’s Veterans Clinic Scholarship Recipient

June 6, 2014

Monique Rodriguez (3L) has been awarded the Veterans Clinic Alumni Scholarship for the Spring 2014 semester.

“I am sincerely grateful and honored to be awarded this scholarship,” said Rodriguez. “It has been a privilege to be a part of the TJSL Veterans Clinic.”

Since 2006, the Veterans Legal Assistance Clinic (VLAC) has successfully provided limited legal assistance, as well as full service legal representation, to the residents and alumni of Veterans Village of San Diego – a highly successful, residential program that provides housing, substance abuse assistance, mental health counseling, and job training services to formerly homeless veterans struggling to regain full participation in society. Under the direction of Professor Steve Berenson, the clinic offers students valuable hands-on experience in handling a wide range of cases spanning family, consumer, and administrative laws.

“Monique’s work product was of the highest quality throughout the entire semester, said Director of the Veterans Legal Assistance Clinic Professor Berenson. “She also put her background in psychology to great use in working with the clinic’s struggling veteran clients. It was always a pleasure to work with her.”

“The TJSL Veterans Clinic has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my law school career,” said Rodriguez. “It has been an honor to provide legal services to those who have sacrificed so much to protect our freedoms. Working in the TJSL Veterans Legal Clinic has provided me with invaluable legal experience and assisted me in understanding what takes to advocate for your client. It has been a pleasure working with such a talented and professional group of student colleagues under the guidance of Professor Steve Berenson and Professor Becky Nieman.”

“While working with Monique, it was neat watching her mature in her confidence with her cases and clients,” said Professor Becky Nieman. “She was extremely professional and responsible. I look forward to seeing the great things she’ll do as a practicing attorney.”

Veterans Clinic Alumni Scholarships are awarded to the most dedicated students serving the Veterans Legal Assistance Clinic (VLAC). Recent recipients include: Janaye Martin and Matthew Ferrara in 2011, Conrad Ohashi (3L), Matthew Katsionis ’12, and Nicole Heffel ’13 in 2012 and Kristiana Erthner (3L), Kristen Green, Rachel Weckhorst Espejo ’13 and Lauren Hebl in 2013.

Scholarships are made possible by funds raised at the annual TJSL Alumni and Friends Golf Tournament. The next Alumni and Friends Golf Tournament will be held in conjunction with the Thomas Jefferson School of Law Alumni Weekend being held on October 10, 2014.