Matthew Handley Email & Phone Number

Arlington, Virginia, United States

Assists veterans in obtaining discharge upgrades, medical military retirements, and Combat-Related Special Compensation (CRSC). Mentors and advises volunteer attorneys representing veterans before military boards, and serves as a mentor and co-counsel on claims in federal court.

Arlington, Virginia, United States

Organized a coordinated campaign of investigation, litigation, and advocacy to compel the military to stop wrongfully denying medical retirement benefits to qualifying veterans.

Assisted with screening discharge upgrade cases. Contacted veterans for information needed during the screening process. Reviewed veterans’ medical and personnel files to determine merit for pro bono placement. For meritorious cases, drafted a screening memo setting forth the legal and factual basis for the claim.

New Haven, Ct

Invited to return for a third summer as Senior Summer Fellow to work on, and mentor new fellows in, a wide array of litigation and administrative actions. Participated in settlement negotiations in the nationwide class action brought on behalf of post-9/11 Navy and Marine Corp veterans, Manker v. Harker, No. 3:18-cv-372-CSH (D. Conn). Rejoined retroactive medical retirement case, now on appeal in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, LaBonte v. United States, No. 21-1432 (Fed. Cir.). Filed FOIA lawsuit against the VA seeking withheld data on racial disparities in veterans benefits, Black Veterans Project v. Dept. of Veterans Affairs, 3:21-cv-00935 (D. Conn.). Again invited to continue as a fall extern, to defend certification of class in Skaar v. McDonough, No. 21-1757, 1812 (Fed. Cir) on appeal.

West Chester, Pennsylvania, United States

Staffed monthly legal intake clinic at the local Veterans Affairs Medical Center and conducted client interviews with veterans who needed assistance with military discharge upgrades or benefits appeals. Represented veteran clients under attorney supervision and assisted with every phase of case management.

West Chester, Pa

Staffed monthly legal intake clinic at the local Veterans Affairs Medical Center and conducted client interviews with veterans who needed assistance with military discharge upgrades or benefits appeals. Represented veteran clients under attorney supervision and assisted with every phase of case management.

New Haven, Connecticut, United States

Returned to the clinic and again managed a diverse caseload of state and federal litigation and administrative agency appeals. Presented successful oral argument against state’s motion to dismiss habeas corpus petition seeking prisoner’s release due to COVID-19, Hurdle v. Commissioner of Correction, CV 20-5000647-S (Conn. Super. Ct.). Rejoined team pursuing a retroactive medical retirement claim in the Court of Federal Claims. Drafted sections of formal comment opposing VA’s proposed changes to its Character of Discharge regulation. Participated in the successful negotiation of settlement in nationwide class action on behalf of post-9/11 Army veterans in Kennedy v. McCarthy, No. 3:16-cv-2010-CSH (D. Conn.).

New Haven, Connecticut, United States

Managed a diverse caseload, which included federal litigation, agency adjudications, and public advocacy. Litigated claim for retroactive medical retirement in the U.S. Court of Federal Claims in LaBonte v. United States, No. 18–1784C (Fed. Cl.). Represented Vietnam veteran before the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims in Monk v. Wilkie, No. 19-217 (Vet. App.). Successfully defeated motion for reconsideration by the Department of Defense in a FOIA lawsuit, Protect Our Defenders v. Dept. of Def., No. 3:17-cv-2073 (D. Conn.), resulting in the Air Force releasing long-sought data on racial disparity which contributed to the publishing of a landmark report.

Norristown, Pa

Worked with the Chief Public Defender to develop and expand diversionary juvenile justice programs, including Youth Aid Panels, in Montgomery County. Designed training materials for a nationwide court watching effort for National Public Defenders Week. Provided support to Assistant Public Defenders in managing the Veterans Court’s diversionary program.

Greater Philadelphia Area

• Explained benefit programs and entitlement criteria, analyzed claims material, identified issues, gathered relevant evidence, conducted interviews to adjudicate claims and input data necessary to generate the award and notification letter to the veteran describing the decision.• Made determinations as to the eligibility for the type of benefit sought to include questions relating to adequacy of military service, medical evidence and the evaluation of evidence of income, employability, dependence and relationship.• Requested examinations, re-examination or opinions to evaluate disabilities resulting from diseases or injuries.• Reviewed claims cases to assure all issues had been addressed, applied and interpreted VA laws, including veterans' case law, existing statutes and procedures, precedent rulings and state law in the adjudication process.• Conducted interviews in person or by phone with veterans, representatives and advocates to explain the full range of VA benefits and related programs.• Prepared and released correspondence for use by other federal, state and local agencies.Utilized various electronic data processing (EDP) systems to input data for processing claims and generate automated correspondence.

Vilseck, Germany

• Planned and executed three multinational military deployments and numerous training operations as a part of U.S. Army Europe in coordination with NATO allies and Partnership for Peace partners• Researched and wrote the Standard Operating Procedures for establishing liaison with foreign partners to be utilized by a combat unit on NATO deployments, enabling the training and certification of future liaisons on vital reassurance missions in the Eastern European allied nations• Worked as the sole liaison for a German tank unit during a multinational combat training exercise, serving as a planner and directing operations in coordination with the group commander; awarded the Army Commendation Medal for exceptional performance in this role• Presented professional briefings for senior military officers and wrote numerous reports, standardization documents, and memorandums to the exacting standards of the Army writing regulations and style guide• Designed a comprehensive training program to certify personnel on a highly specialized critical additional skill program. This program enabled the unit to maintain more than 100% of the needed personnel with full certification at all times while serving in this position• Selected above 18 peers to serve in a senior planning role for a combat unit of over 5000 members; evaluated by supervising officer as being in the top 10% of all subordinates he had ever rated in this position

Vilseck, Germany

• Managed 35 team members on numerous operational missions; identified vulnerabilities and overcame shortfalls with specialized training, leading to the successful certification of the entire team on all semi-annual certifications• Supervised the maintenance and accountability of equipment valued more than $1,000,000. Led unit inventories and preventative maintenance process; sustaining 100% accountability and functionality of equipment, ensuring mission success and commendations on all written evaluations for exceptional accountability• Mentored junior leaders and members of the team on their required job skills, continuing education, and professional development; leading to over 10 team members attaining promotions and moving to greater positions of responsibility• Developed training programs and training progression curriculum to educate 35 team members on a variety of job skills and prepare them for deployment to a forward operating area, enabling the team to successfully interface with NATO allies and complete a complex three-month multinational exercise

Fort Drum, Ny

• Led a team of 10 members on numerous operational missions and training exercises; supervised all aspects of team-building, collective training, accountability, punctuality, and proper appearance; consistently given the highest possible rating by evaluating officers• Developed a training curriculum in partnership with supervising officer in order to train junior team members on several hundred required job tasks and sub-tasks required for semi-annual certification• Prepared 10 team members for overseas deployment; validated personnel records, confirmed medical status, evaluated training records, and eliminated readiness constraints or record errors.

Fort Riley, Ks

• Assisted in the preparation and dissemination of fire support plans, coordinating documents, and target lists• Prepared and maintained daily staff journal, fire support situation map, status charts, capability overlay, and other fire support and target processing records• Emplaced, maintained, and assisted in the operation of laser range finders, target designators, and night observation devices• Established, maintained, and operated radios and digital equipment

Doctor Of Law - Jd

Activities and Societies: Student Bar Association (2018–2021); Center for Social Justice Scholar (2019–2022); Interscholastic Moot Court.

Master Of Arts - Ma, International Relations And Affairs

Bachelor Of Arts, Communications

Activities and Societies: Debate Team, Student Radio