What are the responsibilities and job description for the Upgrade Brigade Fellowship 2026 position at GEORGIA LEGAL SERVICES PROGRAM INC?
Description
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 GLSP’s 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.
Requirements
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 GLSP’s record of successfully representing Georgians in maintaining
public benefits.
Contact Shannon Mills, Director of Attorney Recruitment and Engagement, at
smills@glsp.org with a statement of interest, resume, writing sample, and transcript by
August 18, 2025