New York, NY (October 2021) – Bressler, Amery & Ross, P.C. is pleased to announce that New York Principal Angela Turiano, in conjunction with the Veteran Advocacy Project (VAP), was successful in assisting a former U.S. Marine who served the United States in Somalia and the Persian Gulf to upgrade his discharge characterization to honorable.
The process of upgrading a discharge characterization is no small feat, with an approximate 35% success rate with such applications. Through extensive research and brief writing, Turiano convinced the Board for Correction of Naval Records that the upgrade was warranted.
The primary reason for the Marine’s “other than honorable” discharge 25 years ago was marijuana use, which was demonstrated to be an attempt to medicate his undiagnosed and untreated PTSD. It was further demonstrated that the Marine’s misconduct at the time was an aberration, highlighting his post-service record as a volunteer firefighter, art teacher, and family man with steady employment. In addition to the restoration of his “good name,” the Marine is now entitled to all VA medical and educational benefits.
“It was a privilege to work alongside this service member, who sacrificed so much for our many freedoms,” said Turiano. “I am truly honored to be a part of the Veteran Advocacy Project, fighting for the rights of veterans everywhere and empowering them to succeed.”
Turiano, a Principal of Bressler, Amery & Ross, P.C., is a former prosecutor and practiced trial lawyer in the securities industry who now focuses her practice on the representation of brokerage firms and individual registered representatives in customer and employment arbitrations and litigation, as well as regulatory matters. In addition to working with the VAP, Turiano has worked with Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts to assist rising musicians and artists with copyright issues and partnered with corporate clients to provide free legal advice at the Neighborhood Entrepreneur Law Project (NELP) small business legal clinic. In addition, she volunteers annually as a mock arbitrator/trial judge in various law school competitions. Turiano is also a faculty member for online CLE providers such as Lawline and Clearlaw and is a regular guest on the Law and Crime TV Network.
VAP provides free legal services to low-income veterans and their families, with a focus on those living with post-traumatic stress, traumatic brain injury, and substance use disorders. They are one of the few legal services organizations with a practice dedicated to military discharge upgrades. VAP believes all service members deserve access to care, regularly training pro bono attorneys around the country to represent veterans before the Department of Defense Review Boards.