Former VA General Counsel Will A. Gunn Appointed LSC Vice President for Legal Affairs

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WASHINGTON – The Legal Services Corporation announced today the appointment of Will A. Gunn, former general counsel for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and retired Air Force colonel, to the position of vice president for legal affairs and general counsel.

Gunn’s appointment was unanimously approved by the LSC Board of Directors today. His appointment will be effective on June 1.

“In addition to his impressive legal experience, Will Gunn brings to LSC a passionate commitment to public service and access to justice,” said LSC Chair John G. Levi. “As a Harvard Law student, Will was president of the Harvard Legal Aid Bureau and during the past decade, Will has spoken at many LSC events, offering a strong and compelling voice of support for LSC and its mission. The LSC Board heartily welcomes Will and looks forward to working with him.”

“I’m honored and humbled by the opportunity to serve as general counsel for the Legal Services Corporation,” said Gunn. “I view access to justice as a fundamental pillar of the rule of law and it’s difficult to have meaningful access to justice without access to legal representation. I’m excited to join LSC because I want to do all I can to help expand legal representation for low-income Americans.”

Gunn was sworn in as the general counsel for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) in 2009. In that position, he supervised more than 700 employees in Washington, D.C. and in field locations across the country. The Office of General Counsel provides legal advice and representation to the VA. Prior to this position, he served as chief defense counsel in the Department of Defense Office of Military Commissions.  

Gunn is a retired Air Force colonel, having served as a military lawyer in the Air Force Judge Advocate General Corps. He retired from the military in 2005 and was named President and CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Washington, one of the organization’s largest affiliates. He went on to found the Gunn Law Firm, which provides representation to military members, veterans and contractor employees in a range of administrative matters.

He is a graduate of the United States Air Force Academy and Harvard Law School. He also holds a Master of Laws degree in Environmental Law from the George Washington University School of Law and a Master of Science degree in National Resource Strategy from the Industrial College of the Armed Forces.  

Gunn has served as chairman of the American Bar Association’s Commission on Youth at Risk and has held leadership positions in several bar associations and community organizations. He has been a frequent speaker at LSC events highlighting legal aid’s importance to veterans. 

“We are excited that Will Gunn will join LSC as our vice president for legal affairs and general counsel,” said LSC President Ronald S. Flagg. “Will has a distinguished career in law and public service, including decades as an attorney in the U.S. Air Force and five years as general counsel of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. His leadership and experience will be invaluable in helping LSC fulfill its mission of improving access to justice for low-income Americans.”

Legal Services Corporation (LSC) is an independent nonprofit established by Congress in 1974. For 50 years, LSC has provided financial support for civil legal aid to low-income Americans. The Corporation currently provides funding to 131 independent nonprofit legal aid programs in every state, the District of Columbia, and U.S. territories.