Upgrade Brigade Fellowship 2026

Georgia Legal Services Program (GLSP) seeks to host one (1) Fellow for the Fall 2026- 2028

fellowship term. The Fellow will be based in one of GLSPs regional offices but will engage with

Veteran communities and clients throughout the state of Georgia. GLSP will support the fellow

with relevant training direct supervision and opportunities for professional development

throughout the fellowship. The Fellow will be sponsored by Equal Justice Works Skadden or

other fellowship set to begin in the fall of 2026.

The proposed Upgrade Brigade Fellowship will specialize in veteran legal services with a focus

on assisting Veterans in discharge upgrades character-of-service appeals and applying for VA

disability benefits. Veterans with a discharge of other than honorable dishonorable or bad

conduct are often ineligible for some or all VA benefits. With a discharge upgrade veterans can

have access to VA healthcare VA disability compensation education benefits home loans and

other benefits.

An Upgrade Brigade Fellow will work with the VA Public Benefits Specialist Attorney and other

GLSP attorneys to advocate for former service members seeking discharge upgrades character of

service determinations and access to VA benefits. This includes:

- Discharge Upgrade Representation: Assisting and representing veterans in petitioning

military Discharge Review Boards and Boards for Correction of Military Records

preparing legal arguments gathering evidence and drafting supporting documentation.

- Character of Service Appeals: entails representing clients in VA Character of Discharge

determinations. Veterans whose discharge is Other Than Honorable are prevented from

receiving healthcare education or compensation benefits. A change in Character of

Service appeals can be life altering by providing access to benefits.

- VA Benefits Assistance: Supporting veterans and their families in determining eligibility

and applying for service-connected disability compensation pensions and survivor

benefits. This would require knowledge of VA regulations and military service records.

- Client advocacy and outreach: conducting community outreach to inform veterans of

their rights and available resources. Building and maintaining relationships with

community partners.

- VA accreditation: Fellows are expected to either possess or pursue VA accreditation.

The Fellow will build on GLSPs record of successfully representing Georgians in maintaining

public benefits.

Contact Shannon Mills Director of Attorney Recruitment and Engagement at

with a statement of interest resume writing sample and transcript by

August 18 2025