Praise for VDP’s CLE’s

“Thank you to you, Nancy, Roy and Dee for putting on the CLE for us, and to any behind the scenes assistance from other NYSDA staff. I think the content was remarkable and I just sent an email out to all our panel attorneys advising them they should first determine if their client is a veteran and, if they are, call Gary Horton immediately! From my own experience your organization's knowledge of veteran's issues and consequences far surpasses any average attorney's. Thank you for all you do for our veterans and thank you for bringing that knowledge to the bar!”
~Ben Bonarigo, Esq.
Genesee County Assigned Counsel Program- Resource Attorney
CLE 9/27/23

“Overall, extremely helpful, particularly in understanding how the military culture affects the ways that clients may react to us and the legal system in general. Good practical information not lost in legal research.”
~Brian Leeds, Esq.
Ontario County Public Defender’s Office
10/13/23 CLE

CLE on 9/27/23 for the Genesee County Assigned Counsel Program at Genesee Community College
L-R: Nancy Farrell, VDP Director and Gary Horton, VDP Special Counsel.

Client Quotes

The best phone call I ever made was when I called and spoke with Michael White. After just a few moments of speaking with him, I instantly felt at ease. We were both fellow Marines so that helped. He took the time to listen to all of my concerns. Michael was kind, and very professional. He went over what I needed to do, step by step. From that day on, he was very easy to reach by phone and was very timely when responding to emails. Michael even walked me through various websites in order to get the background information he needed. Then he put me in contact with Nancy Farrell, and things really started taking off from there. I could sense her enthusiasm and willingness to do everything she could to assist me with my case. Nancy is very knowledgeable and experienced which gave me a lot of confidence.
~U.S. Marine Corps Veteran Client


Hello, First let me start with a well deserved ‘Thank You’ to Gary A. Horton, Michael White and their fellow team members. I am a 2x Iraq War Veteran with a 80% Disability Rating due to PTSD and a Traumatic Brain Injury received on the battlefield. My depression lead to substance use which lead to trouble with the law. I paid for an attorney but that attorney just could not fathom my medical conditions. The procedures they take to paint a picture of who I was and all my struggles was far beyond the abilities and knowledge of my current Attorney. I was able to remain in the treatment I needed and the custody of the VA during my legal issue rather than jail. Eventually my court dates came and passed. I was put on probation and the attorney I paid for was nowhere to be found. The Veterans Defense Attorneys were always there to answer my questions and provide much needed assistance. I still call on them till this day. Over the last few years I have referred 3 other Veterans to their services to which they made great contributions to their legal defense and a much different outcome than originally anticipated. This is a priceless service much needed in order to properly represent a honored portion of New York’s population.
With much Gratitude,
~Army Veteran

Outreach

Pictured is VDP’s Senior Case Manager Michael White with VDP’s Director Nancy Farrell at CNY Veterans Parade and Expo held at the NYS Fairgrounds on November 4, 2023.

Elyse Sheehan, VDP Staff Attorney tabling at Suffolk County Bar Association’s Pro Bono Project Free Legal Clinic for Veterans.