Each year on Veterans Day, the Texas Tech University School of Law community pauses to honor the courage, sacrifice, and service of those who have worn our nation’s uniform. Their commitment to protecting freedom and upholding justice reflects the very values at the heart of the legal profession.
This spirit of service continues at Texas Tech Law through the newly established Veterans Law Clinic, where students provide free legal assistance to veterans in need. Led by Professor Mark ‘Max’ Maxwell, the clinic helps veterans navigate legal challenges involving VA benefits, correction of military records, upgrade of discharges, and other critical matters—ensuring that those who served are not left to face these battles alone.
For many of the students involved, this work carries deep personal meaning.
“I chose to participate in the Veterans Clinic because I am a veteran myself and I’ve seen how hard it is for vets when they get out of the service,” said 3L Franklin Jones. “I really just wanted to help other vets. It means a lot to me. A lot of the veterans we have met are heroes and deserve to get the medical or financial help they need. I’ve learned a lot about the law concerning the military and veterans—and that many vets have similar stories about their service and commands.”
2L Faith Collins shared that her experience in the clinic has been eye-opening in unexpected ways.
“Over the past few months working with veterans, I’ve learned that one of the greatest things we can do for them is simply listen. Many veterans, after serving our country, feel unsupported—not because people don’t care, but because few have taken the time to sit down face-to-face, talk with them about their service, and understand what they’re experiencing afterward. The Veterans Clinic gives students the opportunity to help veterans in exactly that way.”
For 2L Sally Nasrawi, the clinic represents both gratitude and a sense of purpose. “I joined the Veterans Clinic to give back to people who’ve given so much for our country,” she said. “It’s also what inspired me to become a lawyer—to help others and make a positive difference in the world.”
Through their advocacy, they are serving those who served. These students carry forward the Texas Tech Law tradition of service—using the law to make a difference in the lives of those who have sacrificed so much for others.
For Professor Maxwell, the experience has been deeply rewarding.
“I could not have asked for a better group of students in the clinic,” he said. “They really are exceptional.”
Having served in the Department of Defense—both as a uniformed officer and as a civil servant—for more than 35 years, Professor Maxwell understands firsthand the challenges many veterans face after service. Before joining the School of Law, he was the Deputy Legal Counsel for U.S. Africa Command.
This Veterans Day, and every day, he takes pride in seeing Texas Tech Law students honor the nation’s veterans—not only through words of gratitude, but through action, advocacy, and service.
To learn more about how the Veterans Law Clinic serves those who served, visit the Texas Tech Law Veterans Law Clinic webpage.