Catherine Cornell

Catherine Cornell

Founder and Principal Attorney at The Veterans Practice, Ltd.
  • Department of Veterans Affairs Accreditation, Illinois, Illinois
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Biography

Founder and Principal Attorney
Attorney Catherine Cornell works to get veterans and their families the benefits they deserve. I became interested in helping veterans with disabilities in college during an internship at CNN in Washington, DC when I researched a story about homeless veterans. After getting my master's degree in journalism, I worked in TV broadcasting for several years. I then left TV journalism to pursue a career in law.

After law school I worked as a litigator at the Legal Assistance Foundation of Metropolitan Chicago (now Legal Aid Chicago) for more than five years, helping some of Chicago's most impoverished residents with a variety of legal matters. After a short stint as one of the editors of the journal generated by the Sargent Shriver National Center on Poverty Law, I worked at a law firm where I got my start handling veteran's compensation claims.

Seeing the frustration experienced by so many veterans and their family members trying to navigate the complicated VA system, I decided to establish my own law practice that focuses only on VA benefits. I handle cases at all levels of appeal, from the regional office level up to the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims. Additionally, my father served honorably in the U.S. Air Force.

In addition to owning my own law practice, I serve on the board of the Veterans Legal Aid Society. I am also a sustaining member of the National Organization of Veterans' Advocates.

When I am not working on behalf of veterans and their families I love to bike, spend time with my family, read, hike, bake (I make a mean chocolate chip cookie) and play with our rescue dog, Rosie.

Additional Practice Areas
  • VA Disability Compensation
  • Veteran Benefits for Individual Unemployability
  • Appeals of VA Ratings
  • Disability Compensation for Vietnam Veterans
  • Agent Orange Exposure
  • Disability Benefits for Women Veterans
  • Military Sexual Trauma
  • Veteran Sleep Apnea Disability
  • Physical Disability Benefits
  • Hearing Loss / Tinnitus Benefits for Veterans
  • Mental Health / PTSD / Depression Benefits for Veterans
  • Survivor Benefits
  • Dependency and Indemnity Compensation
Fees
  • Rates, Retainers and Additional Information
    The Veterans Practice, Ltd. helps veterans and their families obtain the benefits they deserve. For a free consultation, contact our office or call 708-668-6996.
Jurisdictions Admitted to Practice
Department of Veterans Affairs Accreditation
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Illinois
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Illinois
Supreme Court of Illinois
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United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims
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United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
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Languages
  • English: Spoken, Written
Professional Experience
Veterans Benefits Attorney
The Veterans Practice, Ltd.
- Current
The Veterans Practice, Ltd. is a law firm that is dedicated exclusively to helping veterans and their families. Areas of practice include compensation, pension claims, and survivor's benefits. Services also include giving seminars, presentations, and providing consultation to people who work with Veterans and/or are interested in learning more about the complicated area of Veterans benefits.
Veterans Benefits Attorney
Rabin & Associates
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At this law firm I handled all of the Veterans benefits cases and a few Social Security claims.
Attorney
The Legal Assistance Foundation of Metro Chicago
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Civil litigation attorney. Practice areas included: family law (divorces and orders of protection); bankruptcy, discrimination cases, unemployment, and housing/forcible cases.
Education
University of Missouri-Columbia School of Journalism
M.A.
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Indiana University School of LawBloomington Indiana University School of LawBloomington
J.D. (2002) | Law
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Awards
Lawyer Spotlight
2Civility
Professional Associations
State Bar of Illinois  # 6277293
Member
Current
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National Organization of Veterans' Advocates
Sustaining Member
Current
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Veterans Legal Aid Society
Board Member
Current
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Publications
Articles & Publications
VA Disability Benefits for Vietnam Veterans Exposed to Agent Orange and Other Herbicides
Illinois Lawyer Now
When the Veteran Passes Away, Which Family Members can get Benefits?
Illinois Lawyer Now
VA Benefits for Family Members
Illinois Lawyer Now
Tips for Veterans to Remember When Applying for VA Disability Compensation Benefits
AVVO
VA Unemployability: What is it and how can a Veteran get it?
Illinois Lawyer Now
New but Improved? An Overview of the new VA Appeals System for Disability Compensation Claims
Illinois Lawyer Now
Attention Veterans: Are you Having Trouble Getting Your VA Disability Benefits?
Illinois Legal Aid Online
The “C” File – an Invaluable Tool
Illinois Lawyer Now
Military Sexual Trauma & VA Compensation Benefits,
Illinois Lawyer Now
How to Handle a VA C&P Examination
Illinois Lawyer Now
econdary Service Connection: When a Service-Connected Disability Caused a Second Disability
Illinois Lawyer Now
Tips on How to Obtain VA Benefits
U.S. Veterans Magazine
Websites & Blogs
Website
The Veterans Practice, Ltd.
Blog
The Veterans Practice, Ltd. - Blog
Contact & Map
The Veterans Practice, Ltd.
1101 Lake St.
Suite 405A
Oak Park, IL 60301
Telephone: (708) 668-6996