Simcox to lead Stetson’s Veterans Advocacy Clinic

Stacey-Rae Simcox, a former Army major and JAG officer, has been selected to serve as Stetson University’s new Veterans Advocacy Clinic director and Associate Professor of Legal Skills starting in July of 2014.

Professor Stacey-Rae Simcox.

Professor Stacey-Rae Simcox.

Simcox is Professor of the Practice of Law, managing attorney, and founder of the Lewis B. Puller, Jr.Veterans Benefits Clinic at William & Mary Law School. Under Simcox’ leadership, the Puller Clinic was recognized by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs as a best-practice program for serving veterans.

“Professor Stacey-Rae Simcox is uniquely positioned to elevate Stetson’s commitment to veterans as the director of our Veterans Advocacy Clinic,” said Dean and Professor of Law Christopher M. Pietruszkiewicz. “Perhaps equally important, she will help teach and inspire our students to continue that commitment to veterans in their own legal careers.”

Stetson launched its Veterans Law Institute, home to the Veterans Advocacy Clinic, in May 2012 to serve as a center for veteran and military law scholarship, continuing education for attorneys representing veterans, and as a resource for student veterans.

“I am eager to help Stetson’s Veterans Advocacy Clinic launch into an exciting new chapter,” said Professor Simcox. “Stetson’s incredible students, supportive faculty and active alumni all combine to provide an excellent foundation for this clinic to flourish.”

Professor Simcox testified before the Department of Veterans Affairs Advisory Committee on Disability Compensation and has co-authored several pieces on veterans’ benefits. She speaks across the country on veterans issues, is co-editor of Servicemembers and Veterans Rights, is a founding board member of Helping Military Veterans through Higher Education, and a member of the Virginia Bar Association’s Veterans Task Force Initiative.

She has taught courses on veterans’ benefits, internet law, technology-augmented trial advocacy, legal skills and electronic discovery. Before entering academia, Professor Simcox served as an attorney with the U.S. Army Judge Advocate General’s Corps, holding a number of positions including chief of administrative law, Special Assistant U.S. Attorney, and trial counsel. She also clerked for Chief Judge Susan Crawford of the Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces.