The Center for Public Interest Law (CPIL)invited alumnae Mary Meixner (JD ’08) and Margaret Kuzma (JD ’12) to discuss legal services for veterans at an informational lunch in March. CPIL regularly hosts lunchtime events to bring together students and practitioners to help students learn about different practice areas and career paths in a small group setting.
CPIL veterans' law informational lunch presenters, from left, Margaret Kuzma and Mary Meixner.Meixner is an attorney with the ABA Military Pro Bono Project. She accepts case referrals directly from JAGs, and provides these clients with a wide range of legal services. Kuzma is a Skadden Fellow with LAF, formerly the Legal Assistance Foundation of Metropolitan Chicago. Kuzma provides general civil legal services to veterans and their families.
Meixner and Kuzma discussed the extra legal protections for veterans in many different areas of law, and how they use these protections when advocating for their clients. As an example, they highlighted the Military Lending Act. Military members were highly targeted by predatory lenders, and this act was passed to allow service members to void any contract if they were charged more than 36 percent interest. Meixner and Kuzma both emphasized that students can work in practically any area of law with veterans, because the needs of veterans are vast and diverse.