Schuyler County veterans and service members can seek free advice on civil legal matters at an Oct. 28 clinic in Montour Falls, with a separate Cornell Law School hotline available for those who cannot attend.
The clinic will run from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Schuyler County Human Services Building, 323 Owego St., according to a release from the Schuyler County Veterans Services Agency and Cornell Law School's Veterans Law Practicum forwarded by FingerLakes1 editor Josh Durso.
The clinic can accommodate eight appointments, said James Hardwick, director of the practicum. The county encourages advance sign-ups to secure a place, though walk-ins will also be accepted.
Veterans and service members can register by calling the county Veterans Services Agency at 607-535-2091, emailing JGilliland@schuylercountyny.gov or visiting its office at 323 Owego St., Unit 2, in Montour Falls. During registration, officials ask for a brief description of the legal issue, the place and date of any hearing or deadline, and the names of opposing parties.
Civil matters and follow-up advice
The clinic can address veterans' benefits, military discharge upgrades, eviction prevention, family law, estate planning, and claims involving the Department of Veterans Affairs or Social Security Administration. It cannot advise on criminal matters, county Veterans Services Director Jason Gilliland said.
At least two law students and a supervising attorney will staff the event. Hardwick said most participants will receive advice later in a follow-up letter after students research their questions, rather than at the clinic itself. Participants are encouraged to bring photocopies of relevant documents.
The county and Cornell launched their legal-services partnership in 2025 with help from County Attorney Steven Getman and Hardwick, a Cornell adjunct professor. The Oct. 28 session continues that program, which has included earlier clinics.
Help outside the clinic
Veterans who cannot attend may be able to seek legal support through the Cornell Law School Veterans Law Practicum hotline at 607-307-5116, the release said. The county and law school hope to schedule additional clinics, but no future date was announced.
The practicum's students work on matters that include service-connected disability compensation, discharge upgrades and overpayment issues. The Schuyler County Veterans Services Agency also helps veterans, service members, dependents and survivors pursue benefits and referrals to other agencies.
FingerLakes1.com is the region’s leading all-digital news publication. The company was founded in 1998 and has been keeping residents informed for more than two decades. Have a lead? Send it to news@fingerlakes1.com.
