Judicial Advisory Committee (JAC)

  • JAC Creation

    Misc. Order 04-17

  • Mission Statement

    • To provide leadership in advising the Court on issues and concerns confronting the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims as it strives to improve its function of providing prompt, full, and fair judicial review of appeals from the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

    The Judicial Advisory Committee (JAC) represents a cross section of the Court's constituency. In general, JAC members are appointed by the Court based on their individual experience, perspective, and ability to contribute to the JAC's mission. Although members' current positions within stakeholder organizations or communities are relevant to these qualifications, JAC members are not appointed for the purpose of representing or acting on behalf of a particular constituency when serving as a member of the JAC. Members are expected to exercise professional discretion in communicating about any subject matter discussed within the committee to anyone outside the committee.

    The committee will meet regularly to exchange ideas on issues, problems, procedures, or improvements to the Court's operations and the larger practice of veterans law. The committee's activities may include, but are not limited to the following:

    1. Identifying and prioritizing issues and concerns affecting Court administration and recommending solutions;
    2. Proposing changes to the Court's Rules of Practice and Procedure or Court forms, for referral to the Court's Rules Advisory Committee;
    3. Reviewing relevant legislation and policy, advising the Court on the potential impact of such, and recommending alternative proposals;
    4. Recommending pilot projects and other programs to evaluate new procedures or practices;
    5. Acting on assignments referred by the Court; and
    6. Making other appropriate recommendations to the Court.

    JAC-Endorsed Perspectives on JAC Membership

    Perspectives currently represented on the JAC that should continue to be represented:

    • Chair: Clerk of the Court (ex officio)
    • USCAVC Bar Association
    • National Organization of Veterans' Advocates
    • Appellants Bar (private law firms)
    • Appellants Bar (nonprofit organizations)
    • Law School Veterans Legal Clinics
    • Veterans Service Organizations
    • Board of Veterans' Appeals
    • VA Office of General Counsel (Benefits Law Group)
    • VA Office of General Counsel (Appellate Litigation Group)
    • Veterans Consortium Pro Bono Program
    In addition to the above, the Court should add such other members/perspectives as the Court deems helpful to fulfill the JAC's mission.

    If you have ideas or concerns you would like the JAC to consider, please email the Clerk of Court at clerk@uscourts.cavc.gov.

  • Committee Members (as of 11/6/2023)

    • Tiffany M. Wagner - Chairman
    Clerk of the Court, USCAVC
    625 Indiana Avenue, N.W.
    Suite 900
    Washington, D.C. 20004

    David J. Barrans
    Chief Counsel, Benefits Law Group
    VA Office of General Counsel
    810 Vermont Avenue, N.W.
    Washington, D.C. 20420

    Glenn R. Bergmann, Esq.
    Bergmann & Moore, LLC
    7920 Norfolk Ave., # 700
    Bethesda, MD 20814

    Mary A. Flynn
    Chief Counsel
    VA Office of General Counsel
    810 Vermont Avenue, N.W.
    Washington, D.C. 20420

    Virginia A. Girard-Brady
    President of NOVA
    1775 I Street, N.W.
    Suite 1150
    Washington, D.C. 20006

    Stacey-Rae Simcox
    Director of Veterans Law Institute and
    Director of Veterans Advocacy Clinic
    Stetson College of Law
    1401 61st Street South
    Gulfport, FL 33707

    Bart Stichman
    Joint Executive Director
    NVLSP
    1600 K Street, N.W.
    Washington, D.C. 20006

    Zachary Stolz
    Partner, Chisholm, Chisholm, and Kilpatrick
    321 S Main St #200
    Providence, RI 02903

    Aniela K. Szymanski
    Vice Chair of the Veterans Consortium Pro Bono Program
    2101 L Street, N.W.
    Suite 225
    Washington, D.C. 20037

    Ashley Varga
    President of the CAVC Bar Association
    USCAVC
    625 Indiana Avenue, N.W.
    Suite 900
    Washington, D.C. 20004