Dechert and the National Veterans Legal Services Program Secure Landmark Class Action Settlement Win for Veterans

Dechert, in coordination with the National Veterans Legal Services Program (NVLSP), served as pro bono counsel to more than 3,300 Navy and Marine Corps veterans who were unjustly denied military medical retirement benefits for over 15 years.

The veterans won the class action settlement on March 23, 2024, with the United States District Court for the District of Columbia entering a landmark order requiring the Navy to provide new disability ratings to thousands of Navy and Marine Corp veterans.   

The National Veterans Legal Services Program (NVLSP) is an independent, nonprofit organization dedicated to assisting active duty military members and veterans since 1981. NVLSP is committed to upholding the nation’s promise to its 18 million veterans and active duty personnel by ensuring they have the benefits they have earned through their service to our country.

The Dechert team representing the veterans was led by litigation partner Christina Sarchio, associates Phillip Garber (former U.S. Navy Corpsman) and Christopher J. Merken, and paralegal Michael Lebair.

About Dechert

Dechert is a global law firm that advises asset managers, financial institutions and corporations on issues critical to managing their business and their capital – from high-stakes litigation to complex transactions and regulatory matters. We answer questions that seem unsolvable, develop deal structures that are new to the market and protect clients’ rights in extreme situations. Our 1,000+ lawyers across 21 offices globally focus on the financial services, private equity, private credit, real estate, life sciences and technology sectors.