Every year, PLC observes Veterans Day in honor of all those who've served our country in uniform. We celebrate veterans from generations past, welcome a new generation of veterans home, and thank our future veterans still serving at home and abroad. More importantly, each and every day PLC is on a mission to serve Orange County veterans in their time of need. Our Operation Veteran's Re-Entry makes a tremendous positive impact on the lives of our nation's bravest by drawing from the expertise of each of our specialized legal units and utilizing the energetic talents of our legal fellows.

From helping individual veterans stay in their homes throughout Orange County to successfully representing veterans and other stakeholders to protect affordable housing in Huntington Beach, and from assisting veterans regain possession of cherished items to securing nearly $9 million in back and future benefits for veterans, PLC never stops fighting for those who have fought for our freedom.

PLC recently welcomed Ryan Ueda and Tessa Riggio to Operation Veteran's Re-Entry through our partnership with Equal Justice Works (EJW). EJW is the recipient of PLC's 35th Anniversary Founders Award, presented during the Volunteers for Justice Dinner in June. PLC's partnership with the nation's largest postgraduate legal fellowship program has provided many current and former PLC staff attorneys, including Directing Attorney and Pro Bono Director Leigh Ferrin, their first opportunities to practice public interest law. Leigh and Housing Unit Directing Attorney Ugochi Anaebere-Nicholson will supervise our newest EJC Americorps Legal Fellows.

Ryan is a member of UCI Law's Class of 2015, where he was among four students who logged more than 300 hours of pro bono service. Tessa is a 2015 graduate of the University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law and has clerked for the California Department of Parks and Recreation and Legal Services of Northern California. Together, with our dedicated attorneys, staff and volunteers, Ryan and Tessa will continue PLC's tradition of facilitating the successful transition of Orange County veterans and their families back into civilian life.

Operation Veterans Re-Entry is dedicated to Captain Matthew Patrick
Manoukian, a veteran who lived by the motto: "Never above you. Never below you. Always beside you." Captain Manoukian (United States Marine Corps, 1st Marine Special Operations Battalion) was killed in combat on August 10, 2012 in Sangin District, Afghanistan. Captain Manoukian, whose parents are both judges, had been accepted to law school and planned to enter after returning from Afghanistan (his fourth deployment).

To learn more about PLC's Operation Veterans Re-Entry, please click here; and to see and hear the stories of our veteran clients, please view the videos below.

Donna's Story/  Military Sexual Trauma

Ben's Story/Veteran's Discharge Upgrade

Patrick's Story/  Veteran's Property