Tobacco giant Philip Morris International is renewing its commitment of more than $3 million to support veterans nationwide this year through legal support services.
The investment will kick off with $850,000 for legal clinics at select law schools, which will provide help navigating rules and regulations for benefits that veterans are entitled to receive.
Founding beneficiaries of the new funding include the Rocky Mountain Veterans Advocacy Project in Aurora, Colorado; the Veterans’ Advocacy Law Clinic at the University of Arizona James E. Rogers College of Law in Tucson, Arizona; and the Veterans and Servicemembers Legal Clinic at the University of Florida Levin College of Law in Gainesville.
Kristine Huskey, professor and director of the veterans’ clinic at University of Arizona Law, said every dollar received helps reach more veterans and remove legal barriers that hinder the transition from military service to civilian life.
“Through the law clinic, we’re working to ensure that the men and women who served our nation can overcome legal obstacles and have full access to the benefits they’ve earned, including disability compensation,” she said. “Support also increases our ability to train more law students — the next generation of lawyers — on veterans’ issues.”
The renewed investment is informed by findings within a newly published white paper, “Serving Those Who Served,” which provides insight from veterans across the country detailing their challenges and needs.
In addition to legal services, the Philip Morris funding will also benefit local and national organizations working to improve the lives of veterans.
Marian Salzman, senior vice president and chief corporate citizenship officer at Philip Morris, said the company is throwing its weight behind serving the men and women who have raised their hands to serve in the nation’s armed forces, some of whom require additional support as they reintegrate into civilian life.
“This is a cause that resonates strongly among our employees,” he said. “They are eager to make a difference in the lives of those who have sacrificed in support of our nation, its values and its allies.”
