The Firm's distinguished record of professional volunteerism was illustrated this past year by Elizabeth Brenner-Leifer's active pro bono counsel to U.S. military veterans seeking service-related benefits from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

At its Annual Bench & Bar meeting, the Federal Circuit Bar Association (FCBA) recognized both Elizabeth Brenner-Leifer's contributions to and Rothwell, Figg, Ernst & Manbeck's support of the FCBA’s Veterans Pro Bono Program at a special recognition event on June 25, led by Chief Circuit Judge for the U.S. Court of Appeals Randall R. Rader.

The Firm has been an active participant and supporter of the FCBA Veterans Pro Bono Program for several years. In particular, Ms. Brenner-Leifer has been active in the FCBA Veterans’ Appeals committee, which screens appeals filed pro se from the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit and, for appropriate cases, coordinates the location of pro bono counsel from among FCBA interested attorneys.

Elizabeth Brenner-Leifer commented: “Most military veterans do not have the financial means to hire lawyers to help them with applications for service-related benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs, or with appeals from the denials of those benefits by the Agency’s highest court. The FCBA Pro Bono program has been instrumental in helping veterans pursue meritorious claims at the Federal Circuit, and it has helped the Federal Circuit to further develop the law in this important area of jurisprudence – which has led to a trickle-down effect at the Agency level. I am very pleased to participate in this key program.”

Firm partner and FCBA member, Steven Lieberman, observed: "There is no higher level of professional service an attorney can provide than pro bono counsel to needy petitioners, as evidenced by Liz Brenner-Leifer's dedicated and unselfish contribution to this growing, important veterans program. Our Firm is a big believer in the FCBA's commitment to pro bono outreach and the improvement of the judicial system for military veterans."