Amy B Kretkowski

I sought out a career in law because I wanted to invest in challenging work that would serve my community. Since graduating from University of Iowa College of Law, I've dedicated my career to helping veterans and to training veterans' advocates. I was inspired to work with veterans after serving as a judicial law clerk at the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims in Washington D.C. This specialty court was created in 1988 to give veterans judicial review of final VA decisions. Since 1988, the USCAVC has generated an extensive body of veteran-friendly (and some VA-friendly) law. After clerking on the court for over two years, I returned to Iowa to represent veterans in their VA appeals. Recognizing a growing need for effective legal representation in this area of law, I began teaching an upper-level course in Veterans Benefits Law at the University of Iowa College of Law in 2015. I also train Veterans Service Officers around the country, and mentor attorneys who represent veterans pro bono at the USCAVC through the Veterans Consortium Pro Bono Program. I continue to be inspired by my clients and my students. It's a honor to serve my clients every day and help train the next generation of veterans’ advocates.