Durham Commissioner Stephen J. Valentine Leads NCCU Vet Law Clinic Into a New Era of Veteran Advocacy

DURHAM, NC – The work of Durham County Commissioner Stephen J. Valentine, MSW, JD, extends far beyond the boardroom and ballot box. At North Carolina Central University School of Law, Valentine is shaping futures, restoring dignity, and redefining what community-centered leadership looks like as Director of the NCCU Veterans Law Clinic — one of the most impactful legal advocacy programs for veterans in North Carolina.

“Over the past five years, the Vet Law Clinic has established itself as a leader in veterans’ advocacy,” Valentine said. “We are back — and the best is in front of us.”

A Law Clinic Built on Vision and Firsts

The NCCU Veterans Law Clinic holds a unique distinction: it was the first clinic of its kind in North Carolina and remains the only permanent veterans law clinic housed at an HBCU law school in the nation.

Valentine credits the clinic’s foundation to the leadership of former NCCU Law Dean Raymond Peirce, state Rep. Henry “Mickey” Michaux Jr., and Professor Fred Williams, who helped position the program as a cornerstone of experiential legal education.

“Coming back to NCCU has been the honor of my career,” Valentine said. “It allows me to serve veterans while preparing the next generation of advocates to lead with purpose.”

Real Impact for Real People

Under Valentine’s leadership, the clinic has delivered measurable results:

• $700,000+ in retroactive disability compensation secured for veterans
• $400,000+ in annual ongoing benefits restored to clients
• Hundreds of veterans assisted with appeals, discharge upgrades, and benefits claims

While cases often move slowly due to their complexity and the clinic’s educational mission, outcomes have been life-changing for families navigating financial hardship, health challenges, and housing instability.

Building Careers While Serving the Community

Students in the program receive academic credit while representing real clients — gaining courtroom experience that many law graduates nationwide never touch.

Graduates of the clinic have gone on to:

• Work at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
• Serve on the Board of Veterans’ Appeals
• Secure placements at firms such as Chisholm, Chisholm & Kilpatrick
• Earn national recognition in the Veterans Law Moot Court Competition, including Best Oral Advocacy honors at George Washington University and the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims

Sustaining the Mission Through Partnership

The clinic was originally supported through a legislative appropriation from the North Carolina General Assembly, in partnership with UNC’s military and veterans law program. While funding gaps have limited some services, Valentine remains optimistic.

Community and corporate partners have stepped forward, including:

• Duke Energy, which established the Pfc. Booker T. Spicely Endowed Scholarship with a $100,000 gift
• The Downtown Durham Rotary Club, contributing $7,500
• More than $5,000 in individual community donations

“These partnerships signal that Durham believes in this mission,” Valentine said.

Leadership Rooted in Service

As both a county commissioner and legal educator, Valentine operates at the intersection of policy, education, and direct community impact — a combination that has earned respect across Durham’s civic, legal, and nonprofit sectors.

His work reflects a broader philosophy: that effective leadership is measured not only by legislation passed, but by lives improved.

“We’re building systems that work for people who’ve already given so much to this country,” Valentine said. “That responsibility doesn’t end in the courtroom or the classroom.”

Looking Ahead

With expanded programming planned for 2026 and growing student enrollment, the NCCU Veterans Law Clinic is positioned for continued growth — strengthening Durham’s reputation as a city where justice, education, and service move forward together.

And with Valentine at the helm, the mission remains clear: advocacy with integrity, leadership with purpose, and progress that reaches every corner of the community.