Christine Clemens

I joined Finkelstein & Partners in October 2012 after moving to New York. As a proud member of the firm's Veterans' Services group, my primary focus is Veterans Benefits Appeals.
 
I received my JD from the University of Michigan Law School and Masters in Public Policy from the Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy in 2008. I began my career as an Equal Justice Works/AmeriCorps Legal Fellow in the Homelessness Prevention Law Project at Public Counsel in Los Angeles. At the conclusion of my fellowship I had the opportunity to stay on and work as a staff attorney in Public Counsel’s Homelessness Prevention Law Project, and later, its Center for Veterans Advancement.
 
At Public Counsel I ran a legal advocacy program throughout Los Angeles County on-site at fourteen different Department of Public Social Services (DPSS) office to reach out to hungry and homeless individuals in need of legal advice, connection to vital resources, and advocacy assistance. I also initiated and coordinated numerous weekly legal clinics and provided direct legal service at a variety of organizations serving homeless youth, families, individuals, and Veterans. In addition to  legal advocacy, I've also engaged in policy advocacy on issues of homelessness and public assistance with the County of Los Angeles.
 
In 2010, I started up a medical-legal partnership with SHIELDS for Families’ Healthy Start Program and St. John’s Well Child and Family Center, to promote better health outcomes for pregnant and parenting mothers in South Los Angeles. I also coordinated Los Angeles County’s Homeless Court Program.
 
In 2012, I began working with homeless Veterans on their benefits and general legal issues. I'm extremely dedicated and honored to work with our nation's Veterans.