Sen. John Boozman Secures $750K for UA Little Rock Bowen School of Law Veterans Legal Services Clinic
The UA Little Rock William H. Bowen School of Law will receive $750,000 in federal appropriations to support its Veterans Legal Services Clinic. The funding, championed by U.S. Senator John Boozman as part of the Fiscal Year 2026 federal spending package, will expand the clinic’s capacity to deliver trauma-informed, no-cost legal advocacy to veterans across Arkansas.
The announcement was made April 9 at a press conference held on the UA Little Rock campus as part of $12.75 million in federal funding secured for various programs and research. While in Little Rock, Senator Boozman also visited the law school where he attended a Veterans Legal Clinic class, met with students and faculty, and discussed their work providing legal services to Arkansas veterans. Students also engaged the senator with thoughtful questions about his background, public service, and work on issues affecting veterans, creating a meaningful exchange about the role of legal advocacy in supporting those who have served.
The Veterans Legal Services Clinic serves former servicemembers who have experienced service-related injuries or trauma, offering legal representation in VA disability compensation appeals and discharge upgrade cases. Under the supervision of a VA-accredited attorney, Bowen students in the clinic gain hands-on legal experience while providing meaningful service to veterans in need.
“This vital investment in Bowen’s Veterans Legal Services Clinic reflects a powerful truth: public legal education can and must serve the public good,” said Colin Crawford, dean of the law school. “By expanding access to legal support for those who served our country—many of whom face complex bureaucratic and personal hurdles—we uphold our mission to train ethical, service-oriented lawyers. I am grateful to Senator Boozman for recognizing the importance of this work and ensuring that veterans in Arkansas receive the assistance they deserve.”
As one of only a handful of legal clinics in the nation that offer a pro bono resource center along with their clinic, Bowen is able to assist over 200 veterans a year facing VA and civil legal issues.
“Establishing a full-service legal clinic for veterans housed at the Bowen School of Law will help ensure Arkansans who have served our nation can access reliable and quality legal support,” said Boozman. “I’m pleased to have championed this funding and expand upon the resources Arkansas veterans can depend on through a trusted entity such as UA Little Rock, and I look forward to seeing its impact unfold in the years to come.”
Senator Boozman serves on the Senate Appropriations Committee and has long supported veterans’ issues and public legal services.
Zach Baumgarten, director of the Veterans Legal Services Clinic, expressed appreciation for the expanded support.
“The Veterans Legal Services Clinic and Pro Bono Center are honored to receive this federal appropriation, and we are grateful to Senator Boozman and his staff for their support,” Baumgarten said. “This funding will allow us to expand our statewide program and strengthen outreach so veterans in every Arkansas county know they can turn to Bowen for help with VA disability claims, discharge upgrades and other civil legal needs. It is a meaningful way to give back to those who have served.”
The federal investment supports Bowen Law’s core mission of advancing access to justice, public service, and professionalism. As part of its nationally respected clinical program, the Veterans Legal Services Clinic reinforces the law school’s commitment to community-centered legal training and responsive legal education.
About the UA Little Rock William H. Bowen School of Law
Located in Arkansas’s capital city, the UA Little Rock William H. Bowen School of Law provides a nationally recognized, practice-ready legal education deeply connected to the state’s legal system. With a strong emphasis on access to justice, public service, and professionalism, Bowen’s hands-on approach is grounded in mentorship and real-world experience. Graduates are prepared to lead in courtrooms, boardrooms, and communities across Arkansas and beyond.