Attorneys, advocates may earn CLE credits at Annual Veterans' Summit

Attorneys and advocates may earn required continuing education credits at the Canton Community Foundation's 3rd Annual Veterans' Summit on Wednesday, Sept. 12. Since its first summit in 2010, the Canton foundation has provided continuing education for more than 110 attorneys and advocates. The training is part of the annual two-day Veterans' Summit. The first day, Sept. 12, is devoted to continuing education training and the second day, Sept. 13, is entirely for veterans and their families to learn about potential VA benefits. Events on both days will be at the Laurel Manor Banquet & Conference Center, 39000 Schoolcraft Road in Livonia. Attorneys, advocates, veteran service offices and Michigan county counselors who want updated information about VA benefits are invited to the Wednesday, Sept. 12, program from 1 to 4:30 p.m. Attorneys and Veterans Affairs Accredited Claims Agents are required to be certified through Veterans Affairs to legally represent veterans who seek benefits. Certification requires continuing education credits every three years. CLE credits are provided through the State Bar of Texas. Attendance at the Sept. 12 program provides attorneys and advocates with the required three credit hours of continuing education, including a half credit for ethics training. The foundation is the only organization in Michigan that provides training. The VA does not provide training for attorneys and advocates or for veterans seeking benefits. During the afternoon session, attorneys and advocates will learn about the benefits claim process, including types of claims, ways to prove a claim, veteran status and discharge status. Also on tap is discussion about the appeal process, followed by an ethics review. Legal education for advocates and attorneys at the summit is supported with a grant from the Dewitt C. Holbrook Charitable Trust. This is the third year the Canton Community Foundation has received a grant from the trust, which supports legal education in Wayne County. "The grant recognizes the valuable resource this CCF program is to the veterans' community in Wayne County and the surrounding communities," said CCF board member and attorney Jim Fausone, a partner with Fausone Bohn LLP and Legal Help for Veterans PLLC in Northville. The importance of training attorneys and advocates to work for veterans is significant because Michigan is home to more than 704,000 veterans, making it the 11th largest population of veterans in the country. The fee for the event and CLE is $150 if you are an attorney or Veterans Affairs Accredited Claims Agent. Anyone who is a veteran services officer or Michigan county counselor, attendance is complimentary. Registration is required at www.cantonfoundation.org or by calling the Canton Community Foundation at 734-495-1200. Published: Tue, Aug 21, 2012