Veterans Legal Services Hosts Annual Gala

BOSTON - Jan. 16, 2015 - PRLog -- Boston, MA (January 15, 2015) Veterans Legal Services, the primary provider of free legal services to homeless and low-income military veterans in the Greater Boston area, announces its annual gala set for Friday, February 6, 2015 from 6:00 to 10:00 p.m. at Mandarin Oriental Boston.

The goal of the gala is to raise additional awareness and funding for Veterans Legal Services, and to celebrate the accomplishments of its staff, board of directors, committees, and volunteers throughout the previous year. In 2014, Veterans Legal Services and its volunteers provided free legal services valued at over $1 million to over 350 veterans who were not able to afford representation.

The gala will feature a silent auction, complimentary hors d’oeuvres and beverages, as well as live entertainment provided by the Jazzabelles. Wardrobe is black-tie optional and service uniforms are encouraged.

“As an Iraq war veteran and an attorney, I am personally committed to making sure that no veteran remains homeless or at-risk due to a lack of legal representation,” said Tim McLaughlin, President of the Board of Directors at Veterans Legal Services. “Over the past twenty-four years, VLS has provided free legal help to thousands of veterans, helping them stabilize and move on to lead dignified lives. In 2014, VLS focused on capacity-building to ensure that it is able to continue to respond to the growing needs of Greater Boston’s veterans well into the future. This initiative was completed with the support of the Root Cause Social Innovation Forum and with the investment of the Highland Street Foundation, who is also the lead sponsor for the 2015 gala.”

Veterans Legal Services staff and law student volunteers conduct on-site walk-in legal clinics at area shelters, reaching veterans most in need. They collaborate with shelter staff, social workers and other professionals to provide veterans with comprehensive services tailored to their individual needs. The organization also refers cases to its panel of pro bono attorneys.

At the annual gala, Veterans Legal Services will honor Michael B. Keating, Partner, Foley Hoag, LLP and Chair of the Board of Directors, The Boston Foundation, with the Distinguished Service Award. The award is presented annually to an individual in recognition of his or her extraordinary, impactful community contributions. Past recipients include former Attorney General Scott Harshbarger, John J. Regan of WilmerHale, and Vincent Rougeau, Dean of Boston College Law School.

“Receiving the Distinguished Service Award is truly an honor,” said Michael Keating. “I highly value the work being done by Veterans Legal Services, and share in its commitment to provide great assistance and representation to veterans who have provided a tremendous service to our country.”

Michael Keating is past Chairman of Foley Hoag’s Litigation Department and has been the firm’s leading trial lawyer for over thirty years. Chambers USA, Boston Magazine and others have consistently ranked Michael amongst the best trial attorneys in Massachusetts. In 2011, Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly named him “Lawyer of the Year.” Michael is an Instructor of Civil Trial Practice at Northeastern Law School and served as the first Chairman of the Massachusetts Court Management Advisory Board by appointment of the Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts to advise the Supreme Judicial Court and the trial courts on court administration. He is a past President of the Boston Bar Association.

For more information about gala tickets and sponsorship opportunities, please call 617-552-0623 or visit www.veteranslegalservices.org.

About Veterans Legal Services:

Veterans Legal Services (VLS) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization offering free legal services to low-income veterans in the Boston area. VLS promotes self-sufficiency, financial security and stability for this population by providing comprehensive and accessible legal services. By locating legal clinics at homeless shelters and service centers, VLS reaches those who would likely otherwise go without the help they need. VLS serves over 350 veterans per year at the New England Center for Homeless Veterans, the Chelsea Soldiers’ Home, Massachusetts Stand Down for Veterans, and other community events for veterans and deploying and returning troops. For more information, please visit www.veteranslegalservices.org (http://www.shelterlegalservices.org).