A law passed by Congress last year affects fees available to lawyers representing veterans who are pressing disability claims.

Under the old law, an attorney could not charge a fee until after a final decision by the Board of Veteran's Appeals. As of June 2007, a veteran can hire a lawyer as soon as a notice of disagreement is filed in response to a department decision.

The ISBA is cooperating with The John Marshall Law School and the Commission on Professionalism of the Illinois Supreme Court in offering training to lawyers interested in assisting veterans with disability claim appeals.

Training is free in exchange for an agreement to handle one case pro bono, or to help train other lawyers. There is a need for lawyers in all parts of Illinois to assist veterans in this process.

ISBA members interested in volunteering to help veterans can register online at www.isba.org/operationfairness. Volunteers will be advised of training opportunities and ways they can be of service.