Thomas Rodrigues Email and Phone Number

The Board of Veterans' Appeals is delegated the authority to act for the Secretary in deciding all questions of law and fact resolving Departmental appeals that affect the provision of benefits to Veterans, their dependents, and survivors. The Deputy Vice Chairman serves as a member of Board's top leadership team, responsible for overseeing the work of Veterans Law Judges, counsel, and other legal support personnel to identify, appropriately consider, and resolve these appeals.

Oversees U.S. Department of Education, Office of Civil Rights (OCR) compliance and enforcement of six civil rights laws prohibiting discrimination in programs or activities that receive federal financial assistance from the Department throughout a region comprised of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut. OCR’s mission is to prevent, identify, end, and remedy discrimination against America's students in all state education agencies, elementary and secondary school systems, colleges and universities, vocational schools, proprietary schools, state vocational rehabilitation agencies, libraries, and museums that receive U.S. Department of Education funds.

Senior strategic advisor to the Judge Advocate General of the Air Force. Primary confidential counsel to top-AF JAG leadership advising on all aspects of Air Force legal enterprise to include criminal, ethical, personnel matters, operational & budgetary concerns, and asset allocation for 1400 member global legal operation. Serves as senior liaison for the JAG Corps with Department of Defense leadership, Congress, media and the public.

U.S. Air Force’s Chief Defense Counsel. Leads a team of 187 attorneys and paralegals stationed at 68 military installations across the globe to provide defense services for America’s Airmen facing criminal and administrative actions.

Senior legal advisor to the Commander of 19th Air Force. Responsible for the proper administration of military justice within a Numbered Air Force comprised of 19 training locations, 10 regular Air Force wings supported by six Guard and Reserve wings, approximately 32,000 personnel and more than 1350 aircraft of 29 different models.

Responsible for the provision of criminal defense services throughout the Western United States and the Pacific Regions at 23 military installations. Supervises 32 defense attorneys with an average workload of over 10,000 clients per year.

Primary legal counsel for labor/employment, contracts, environmental, military justice, and litigation.