Upon my return to the United States, after serving my country
in the United States Air Force during Desert Shield and Storm,
I witnesses first hand how our Nation has let down our
veterans.  I searched for the important answer to the question
“Why?”  With no solution, I knew that I was being called upon
to take it upon myself to make the changes necessary.  To
enforce our country’s promise to our veterans I knew that I
needed to train to become an Attorney to fight the government
agencies’ lawyers.  I came home to Salem, Oregon and
enrolled in Law School at Willamette University College of Law.

My legal career began as a compliance specialist with the
Oregon Construction and Landscape Contractors Boards and
the Department of Agriculture.  Then I had the distinct
pleasure of being a judicial law clerk for the Honorable Paul J.
De Muñiz at the Oregon Court of Appeals, now the Chief
Justice of the Oregon Supreme Court before representing
SAIF Corporation in workers’ compensation hearings.  This
training prepared me for opening up the law firm of Van Ness,
Hammond, Mooney, LLC and ultimately forming this Veterans
Referral Service.


OUTREACH, ENCOURAGEMENT and EDUCATION

As a veteran attorney, I am increasing awareness and
understanding about the effects of war and the human needs
of America’s veterans by promoting the exchange of
knowledge and information about all types of veterans claims,
benefits and personal issues while providing mutual support,
encouragement and education for our members. To serve as a
professional liaison for the veterans to the Congress,
Legislature, the community, veterans’ businesses, and the
federal and state agencies charged with serving America's
veterans.

My efforts are driven to the goal of increasing awareness and
understanding about the effects of war and the human needs
of America’s veterans. In the promoting the exchange of
knowledge and information about all types of veterans' claims,
benefits and personal issues in our community, I have found
mutual support, encouragement and enlightenment among my
clients. To serve as a professional liaison for the veterans to
the Congress, Legislature, the community, veterans’
businesses, and the federal and state agencies charged with
serving America's veterans.

MEMBERSHIPS:

SUPREME COURT OF OREGON
SUPREME COURT OF WASHINGTON
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE STATE OF OREGON
9th CIRCUIT COURT OF APPEALS
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT OF VETERANS' CLAIMS


ASSOCIATIONS:

AMERICAN BAR ASSOCIATION
AMERICAN TRIAL LAWYERS ASSOCIATION
OREGON TRIAL LAWYERS ASSOCIATION
WASHINGTON TRIAL LAWYERS ASSOCIATION