Why Does the Right Discharge Upgrade Lawyer Matter?
A military discharge upgrade can have a significant positive impact on your life. Your discharge upgrade may open the door to receiving veterans’ benefits you didn’t previously qualify for, open up new opportunities for employment, and even give you the psychological boost that comes from breaking free of a negative–and perhaps undeserved–label.
Unfortunately, the vast majority of military discharge upgrade requests are denied. Of course, the likelihood of approval depends in part on the circumstances surrounding your separation from the military and the reason for the discharge issued. But the quality of your request and the supporting documentation also play a significant role. That means it’s important to find the best military discharge upgrade attorney for your case.
Not many attorneys have extensive experience with the military discharge upgrade process, so you’ll have to vet your options carefully to find the right military discharge lawyer.
Key Qualities of a Top Military Discharge Upgrade Attorney
Of course, you may have your own factors that you want to consider as you hire a discharge upgrade lawyer. This list isn’t by any means exhaustive or exclusive. Rather, these are core factors you should not overlook in your selection process.
Deep Experience in Handling Military Discharge Cases
Most lawyers don’t handle military discharge upgrades. But it’s important also to recognize that not every attorney who offers the service or might agree to handle a case has the experience you should be looking for.
The military discharge review system is unique, and an attorney with extensive experience with the specific process you’ll need to follow. An experienced discharge upgrade attorney will also know what type of arguments tend to be effective in pursuing an upgrade and what evidence and documentation will be required to support that argument.
For example, an attorney who doesn’t have deep knowledge of the process might look at a discharge issued on the basis of being absent without leave (AWOL) and conclude that if you were in fact absent without authorization, you are not likely to receive a discharge upgrade. But, The Edmunds Law Firm has secured discharge upgrades for people in that situation when we have been able to successfully argue that the incident may have been triggered by a mental illness that was undiagnosed at the time, that an isolated absence was triggered by stress and did not warrant dishonorable discharge, and even that a veteran who was absent without authorization for an extended period and court-martialed should receive a discharge upgrade due to subsequent improvements.
Building an effective case for discharge upgrade requires not just knowledge of the law, but knowledge of the conditions and circumstances that often play a role in an unfavorable discharge.
Fair, Transparent Fee Structures
When the stakes are high and the issue complicated, some law firms will take retainers up front, then bill hourly as the case progresses. That leaves the client unsure of what to expect and often uneasy about the ultimate cost of the proceedings.
At The Edmunds Law Firm, we make our fees crystal clear in advance, so you know exactly what you’ll be paying before we do a minute of work on your case. And we’ll never try to upsell you: when you work with a discharge upgrade lawyer in our firm, you can rest assured that we are recommending only the services we believe are truly of value to you. If we think your chances of approval are limited, we’ll tell you that up front so you can make an informed decision about whether you want to move forward. And, we’ll tell you if there may be other paths to your goal. For instance, if you’re seeking a VA discharge upgrade so you can qualify for VA disability benefits, and you have an opportunity to appeal directly to the VA to pursue benefits in spite of your discharge status, we’ll let you know and let you decide.
Personalized Service
Unfortunately, some law firms take a cookie-cutter approach to legal matters, including discharge upgrade requests. When you’re shopping for a military discharge upgrade lawyer, you’ll want to work with someone who understands that every case is different and that your priorities may not be the same as the last client’s.
This personal attention should start right away, during your initial consultation with the attorney. While they will likely provide you with some general information about the process, you should also be looking for them to talk about your case specifically and make recommendations based on your discharge status, the reasons that led to an unfavorable discharge, your current circumstances, and other factors specific to your situation.
Comfort in Communicating with the Attorney
The discharge upgrade process will require you to be very frank with your attorney, both about what happened before you were discharged from the military and any factors, including mental health issues, that may be relevant to your case. You’ll need to trust your attorney and be prepared to talk about some tough issues.
Of course, it’s natural to be nervous during your initial consultation, but pay attention to how the attorney interacts with you. Make sure to choose an attorney who listens to you, answers your questions, and is empathetic about your circumstances.
How to Research and Vet a Discharge Upgrade Attorney
Most people say their first approach to finding a lawyer is to ask for referrals. However, unless you know someone else who successfully used a discharge upgrade lawyer, that process probably won’t be much help to you. The attorney who got your friend acquitted on a DUI charge or drafted a lease agreement for your neighbor likely won’t have the dedicated experience you want in a discharge upgrade attorney.
With that in mind, search engines and directory listings are good starting points. Be careful, though. Just because an attorney has discharge upgrades listed as a practice area doesn’t mean they have the experience you’re looking for. If you’re looking at a directory that provides this information, start by considering the percentage of the practice that is devoted to military law matters, and to discharge upgrades specifically.
Next, look at reviews and testimonials for the law firm and the specific attorney you are considering. But, again, make sure that you are focused on the reviews that specifically relate to military discharge upgrades. Some law firms also have a results section on their websites where they share success stories. When you look at these results, look not just at the successes but to see whether there are cases listed that seem similar to yours.
Then, use your free consultation to learn more about your options and to assess the attorney for yourself.
Why Choose The Edmunds Law Firm to Fight For Your VA Discharge Upgrade?
Attorney Alan Edmunds has nearly 50 years of experience fighting for military discharge upgrades, and a solid record of success. Our entire legal practice is devoted to military law and national security clearances. And, we are fully dedicated to your success. We understand that many discharge decisions were flawed, or disproportionate when the full circumstances are considered. We’re here to help you secure the benefits you earned through your military service and the respect you deserve.
Call us at 800.481.2526 or fill out our contact form to schedule a free consultation.
