Show-Me Access: Legal Advocacy for Rural Veterans (2026 Symposium)

Join us on April 10 for the 2026 Veterans Clinic Symposium, Show-Me Access: Legal Advocacy for Rural Veterans at the University of Missouri School of Law. This event will bring together attorneys, community leaders, and veteran advocates to explore innovative ways to expand legal access for veterans in rural areas. Registration is now open!

Symposium Information

• Registration
• Livestream
• CLE Information
• Program, Schedule, & Speaker Information
• Symposium Materials
• In-Person Attendee Information
• Symposium Supporter
• About the Mizzou Law Veterans Clinic
• Donate

Registration

Registration for the symposium is now open, and we encourage interested attendees to register early to secure their spot. Space is limited, and advance registration helps us plan for materials, meals, and CLE submissions. Registration for in-person attendees closes April 1, 2026. If you would like to attend in person after the April 1, 2026 deadline, we would still welcome you to attend in-person, but we cannot guarantee you access to breakfast or lunch. We look forward to welcoming attorneys, advocates, and community members for a full day of programming focused on improving access to justice for rural veterans.

The Symposium is offered at no cost and is open to anyone who wishes to attend. While registration is free, attendees who would like to support the work of the Mizzou Law Veterans Clinic are welcome to make a voluntary donation. A suggested contribution for individual attendees is $10, though gifts in any amount are greatly appreciated and directly support our work on behalf of veterans.

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Livestream

The Symposium will be held in person and will also be live-streamed on this webpage on the day of the event. Registration is required for all in-person attendees. While registration is not required to view the Symposium online, it is strongly encouraged. Knowing who is tuning in helps us improve future programming, better understand our audience, and stay connected with those who share an interest in veterans law and advocacy. Accordingly, we kindly ask that all attendees, whether joining in person or online, complete the registration form if they plan to attend. Please note that in-person attendance and live attendance during the livestream is required to obtain CLE credit. A recording of the livestream will be available on this page shortly after the Symposium, but watching the recording does not qualify for CLE credit.

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CLE Information

The Symposium has been approved for 5.7 hours of Continuing Legal Education (CLE) in Missouri. The program code is 787109. The Clinic is required to submit an attendance report to the Missouri Bar. In-person attendees do not need to take any additional steps to verify attendance, as sign-in at the event serves as verification.

If you are attending the Symposium online and plan to seek CLE credit, you must submit the attendance verification form within 24 hours of the conclusion of the Symposium. You will need the attendance code provided during the program. The verification form is available here.

Attorneys seeking CLE credit in a different state may do so. After submitting the verification form, you will receive an email with a link to a CLE attendance certificate. The Clinic cannot guarantee that the program will satisfy another state’s CLE requirements, and attorneys are responsible for confirming eligibility with their respective state bars.

CLE programs are generally not preapproved by the VA for accreditation purposes. However, this Symposium will likely satisfy the CLE requirements for maintaining accreditation under 38 C.F.R. § 14.629(b)(iv), but it will not satisfy the CLE requirements for initial accreditation under 38 C.F.R. § 14.629(b)(1)(iii).

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Program, Schedule, & Speaker Information*

*Schedule subject to change.

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Symposium Materials

Symposium materials will be made available here prior to the start of the Symposium.

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In-Person Attendee Information

We are excited to welcome you to Columbia, Missouri as an in-person attendee to the conference. Important information is included below regarding attendance.

• Parking: Attendees may park in the Turner Avenue Parking Garage. Parking permits are required and must be purchased in advance online at a cost of $10 for a one-day permit. To purchase your permit, the parking website, select “Purchase Event Permit,” and agree to the Parking Terms of Service. Choose the “1 Day” event option, then select “2026 Veterans Clinic Symposium.” Enter the voucher code 26VetClinSym and click “Apply Voucher,” then select “EVENT TURNER AVE 1 DAY ($10).” You will then be prompted to add your vehicle information, including license plate number, state, and make, and enter your email address to receive your receipt. Please complete this process prior to arrival to ensure a smooth parking experience.
• Wi-Fi: Username: TigerGuest-Wifi Password: TrumanTiger
• Location: The Symposium will take place at the University of Missouri School of Law (Hulston Hall) located at 820 Conley Avenue, Columbia, MO 65201. The Symposium will take place in Room 7 which is located in the lower level of the law school.

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Symposium Supporter

Thank you to our generous supporters of this years Symposium who are listed below! Supporter contributions directly advance the Clinic’s mission of providing free, high-quality legal representation to veterans and fostering education and collaboration within the veterans law community.

• Harper Evans Hillbrenner & Netemeyer
• Shook Hardy & Bacon
• Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner
• Paul LLP Trial Attorneys
• Berry Law
• Judge Cotton Walker
• The Benson Law firm
• Joe Machens
• John Walker

The Mizzou Law Veterans Clinic invites law firms, organizations, and community partners to support this year’s Symposium. The cost to become a Symposium Supporter is $1,000. Symposium Supporters receive:

• An invitation and special acknowledgement at the April 9, 2026 reception for speakers and supporters
• Acknowledgement in advance of registration materials
• Listing in program materials as a Symposium Supporter
• Acknowledgement in the printed program distributed at the conference

Supporters who wish to contribute at a higher level are welcome to do so as contributions of any amount are appreciated and help make the symposium possible. If you are interested in being a Symposium Supporter, please email us at mulawvetclinic@umsystem.edu for further details. Your support helps sustain meaningful advocacy, education, and outreach for veterans across Missouri and beyond.

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About the Mizzou Law Veterans Clinic

Under the supervision of experienced attorneys, law students at the University of Missouri School of Law Veterans Clinic help veterans – free of charge – with discharge upgrades and Department of Veterans Affairs disability compensation claims. In addition to directly representing veterans with their disability claims, the Clinic also participates in high level amicus brief writing, training and education for practicing attorneys, rural veteran outreach through Tigers for Troops, and more.

The Clinic is largely funded by private donations, and we have assisted more than 2,100 veterans.

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Donate

Donations to the Mizzou Law Veterans Clinic directly support free legal services for veterans and their families, with a particular focus on reaching underserved rural communities across Missouri. Philanthropic support makes it possible for the Clinic to train law students, expand outreach through programs like Show-Me Access and the Thomas Fellowship, and pursue high-impact advocacy that helps veterans secure the benefits and justice they have earned through their service.

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