Save the Date
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. 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 here. 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.
| Registration |
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| CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR THE SYMPOSIUM |
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.
CLE Information
The Mizzou Law Veterans Clinic intends to seek approval for Continuing Legal Education (CLE) credit through The Missouri Bar for the Veterans Law Symposium. We plan to submit the required application and supporting materials to The Missouri Bar so that eligible portions of the symposium may qualify for CLE credit.
Once approval is granted, details regarding the number of approved CLE hours, accreditation status, and any applicable reporting requirements will be shared on this page and in symposium materials. Please note that CLE credit is not guaranteed unless and until it is formally approved by The Missouri Bar.
Program, Schedule, & Speaker Information*
| TIME | PRESENTATION | PRESENTER(S) | PROGRAM DESCRIPTION |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9:00 – 9:15 AM | Opening Remarks | Matt Martens | An overview of the symposium’s goals, themes, and the importance of expanding legal access for veterans in rural Missouri. |
| 9:15 – 9:45 AM | Thomas Fellowship Advocacy Model | Benjamin Thomas & Brent Filbert | An introduction to the Thomas Fellowship and how it supports sustained, community-based legal advocacy for rural veterans across Missouri. |
| 9:45 – 10:45 AM | Core Legal Claims for Rural Veterans | Carter Templeton & Michael Deaton | A practical discussion of the most common VA disability, discharge upgrade, and benefits claims affecting rural veterans and how to effectively develop them. |
| 10:45 – 11:30 AM | Mobile Legal Services & the Show-Me Access Model | Martha Kleinhesselink & Hannah Eastland | An explanation of the Show-Me Access approach to delivering mobile, on-site legal services to veterans in underserved rural communities. |
| 11:30 AM – 12:00 PM | Lunch | N/A | N/A |
| 12:00 – 1:00 PM | Keynote | Dr. Peter Kaboli | A keynote address examining veteran access to care and services, with a focus on systemic challenges and opportunities for interdisciplinary solutions. |
| 1:00 – 2:00 PM | Legal Barriers & Systemic Challenges Facing Rural Veterans | Hillary Wandler, Kristine Huskey, & Katie Becker | A panel discussion on the legal, geographic, and institutional barriers rural veterans face when seeking benefits, healthcare, and justice. |
| 2:00 – 3:00 PM | Voices from the Field | Ally Brown, Kevin Hillman, & Brent Filbert | Firsthand perspectives from practitioners and advocates working directly with veterans in rural and underserved areas. |
| 3:00 – 3:10 PM | Closing Remarks | Brent Filbert | Final reflections on the day’s discussions and a call to action for continued collaboration and advocacy on behalf of rural veterans. |
*Schedule subject to change.
Symposium Materials
Symposium materials will be made available here prior to the start of the Symposium.
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: Parking information is forthcoming.
- Wi-Fi: Wi-fi information is forthcoming.
- Location: The Symposium will take place at the University of Missouri School of Law (Hulston Hall) in Room 7 which is located in the lower level of the law school.
Symposium Supporter
The Mizzou Law Veterans Clinic invites law firms, organizations, and community partners to support this year’s Symposium. 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. 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.
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.
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.
| Donate |
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| CLICK HERE TO DONATE |