James S. Trieschmann
James S. Trieschmann is the Founder and Managing Attorney of Veteran Legal, where he leads the firm’s legal advocacy on behalf of veterans seeking the benefits they have earned through their service. As a veterans law attorney, James has successfully represented hundreds of veterans before VA Regional Offices, the Board of Veterans’ Appeals, and the United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims.
James’s commitment to veterans is rooted in his own military service. He served eight years on active duty in the United States Army Judge Advocate General’s Corps, followed by eight years in the Army Reserve. During much of his military career, James served as an appellate attorney representing Soldiers in complex cases, handling every aspect of appellate litigation from legal research and briefing to oral argument. He represented more than 200 Soldiers during his time in that role.
James also served as a prosecutor and managing prosecutor for U.S. Army Central Command, where he was responsible for military justice matters involving operations throughout the United States and overseas, including Afghanistan, Iraq, Kuwait, Egypt, and Qatar. Earlier in his career as a judge advocate, he also served as a tort claims attorney handling matters arising under the Federal Tort Claims Act.
James founded Veteran Legal to continue a career dedicated to serving those who have worn our nation’s uniform. His experience as both a veteran and an advocate gives him a firsthand understanding of military service and a deep commitment to ensuring veterans have a strong advocate in their corner when fighting for the benefits they deserve.
Our Team
Christopher M. Bentley
President
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Chris serves as President of Veteran Legal, where he leads the firm’s mission of advocating for veterans and ensuring they receive the benefits they have earned through their service to our country.
Chris has practiced law since 2008, bringing nearly two decades of legal, client advocacy, and leadership experience to Veteran Legal. Throughout his career, he has represented and counseled clients facing complex legal matters, developing a practical and strategic approach to advocacy that he now brings to his leadership of the firm. Chris is Board Certified in Labor and Employment Law by The Florida Bar. He graduated cum laude from Stetson University and earned his Juris Doctor from the University of Florida Levin College of Law.
Chris’s commitment to veterans is deeply personal. Both of his grandfathers proudly served during World War II, and several of his close friends have served in the military. Through those relationships, he has seen firsthand the lasting impact military service can have on veterans and their families and the importance of having a strong advocate when navigating the challenges that can follow military service.
As President, Chris is passionate about building a law firm dedicated to fighting for veterans and ensuring they have an advocate in their corner who understands what is at stake and is committed to seeing their fight through. For Chris, Veteran Legal’s mission is more than the practice of law - it is an opportunity to give back to those who served our country.
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Javier Rivera Chaparro
Chief Legal Counsel
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Javier Rivera serves as Chief Legal Counsel at Veteran Legal, where he provides legal leadership and helps guide the firm’s strategy and advocacy on behalf of veterans seeking the benefits they have earned through their service.
Javier has dedicated much of his legal career to representing veterans before the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. His experience includes advocacy at the VA Regional Office, Board of Veterans’ Appeals, and U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims. Throughout his career, his advocacy has helped veterans and their families recover millions of dollars in disability compensation.
Javier earned his bachelor's degree from the University of Puerto Rico, graduating among the top five percent of his class. He subsequently earned his Juris Doctor from the University of Puerto Rico School of Law, where he provided pro bono legal services through the Legal Aid Society and gained legislative experience with the Puerto Rico House of Representatives. Following graduation, he practiced complex civil litigation on behalf of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico through the Puerto Rico Department of Justice. He also continued his commitment to public service by providing pro bono legal assistance to individuals and businesses navigating federal disaster assistance programs and other legal challenges in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria.
Javier is nationally accredited by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, certified by the Supreme Court of Puerto Rico as a mediator in Alternative Dispute Resolution, and a published legal scholar.
As Chief Legal Counsel, Javier brings extensive veterans-law experience, leadership, and a commitment to service to Veteran Legal. He is passionate about strengthening the firm’s legal advocacy and ensuring veterans have knowledgeable and determined advocates fighting for the benefits they deserve.
Bar Admissions:
Commonwealth of Puerto Rico
State of New Hampshire
State of Utah
State of Texas
Court of Appeals for Veteran Claims
Education:
University of Puerto Rico School of Law
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Jazmine Gipe
Director of Billing and Revenue Operations
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Jazmine Gipe serves as Billing and Collections Manager at Veteran Legal, where she leads the team responsible for the firm’s billing and collection operations.
Jazmine brings more than 12 years of experience in VA disability, medical knowledge, and operations to Veteran Legal. Throughout her career, she has held leadership roles focused on process improvement, operational efficiency, and developing knowledgeable teams. Her understanding of the VA system, combined with her background in technology and process improvement, allows her to streamline workflows while maintaining accuracy and compliance.
Jazmine studied Business Health Management at Santa Fe College and has earned credentials in Six Sigma, Technical Product Ownership, and Project Management. As a leader, she is committed to developing her team and giving them the knowledge and tools to perform with confidence and consistency.
Jazmine’s connection to the veteran community is also personal. Her great-grandfather earned a Purple Heart while serving during World War II, and several members of her family have served in the Navy, Marine Corps, and Air Force. These connections have given her a deep appreciation for the sacrifices made by veterans and their families.
Jazmine brings leadership, attention to detail, and a commitment to service to Veteran Legal, helping ensure the firm’s operations support its larger mission of fighting for veterans.
Alisha Flanighan
Director of Veterans Benefits Management System
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Alisha serves as the VBMS Team Manager at Veteran Legal, bringing over five years of dedicated professional and personal commitment to supporting military and veteran families. As a lifelong member of the military community - having grown up as a military brat and later becoming a military spouse stationed abroad in Germany and South Korea - her advocacy is rooted in lived experience.
Prior to her role at Veteran Legal, Alisha built a diverse background focused on community empowerment and professional development. She previously connected talented military spouses with employment opportunities at law firms in need of legal staff, and actively served her local military installations as a dedicated lactation counselor and doula.
Academically, Alisha earned her undergraduate degree in Business Administration and Management from Western Governors University. Combining her extensive administrative background with her passion for advocacy, she is currently completing her third year of law school and plans to seamlessly transition into Veteran Legal’s attorney team upon graduation.
Dennys R. Zamora Torres
Director of Strategic Case Review
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Dennys serves as Strategic Legal Team Manager at Veteran Legal, where he leads a team of paralegals and legal reviewers responsible for developing and appealing veterans’ disability compensation claims before the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Dennys brings years of experience in veterans law to Veteran Legal. Since beginning his career in the field in 2018, he has worked across the VA disability claims and appeals process, including evaluating claims, reviewing decisions issued by VA Regional Offices and the Board of Veterans’ Appeals, and preparing legal briefs in support of veterans seeking the benefits they deserve.
Dennys earned his Juris Doctor from the University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras Campus, where he participated in the Federal Criminal Law Clinic. He also earned his bachelor’s degree from Antillean Adventist University.
As Strategic Legal Team Manager, Dennys is passionate about building a team focused on thoroughly reviewing each veteran’s case, identifying potential avenues for benefits, and developing strong strategies for challenging unfavorable VA decisions.
An Eagle Scout and former collegiate swimmer for the University of Puerto Rico, Dennys brings discipline, leadership, and a commitment to service to his work advocating for veterans.
Education:
University of Puerto Rico School of Law
Kathryn Kauzlarich
Director of Intake and Client Experience
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Kathryn serves as Intake and Client Care Manager at Veteran Legal, where she leads the teams that support veterans from their first conversation with the firm and throughout their time as clients. She is committed to ensuring every veteran feels heard, supported, and confident that they have a team in their corner.
Kathryn brings more than a decade of professional experience to Veteran Legal and earned her master’s degree from Western Governors University. In her leadership role, she focuses on creating a client experience built around communication, responsiveness, and compassion while ensuring veterans and their families understand what to expect throughout their relationship with the firm.
Kathryn’s commitment to the veteran community is also personal. As a military spouse, she understands the sacrifices associated with military service and the important role families play in supporting those who serve.
Originally from Atoka, Tennessee, Kathryn brings compassion, leadership, and a commitment to service to her role at Veteran Legal. She is passionate about making sure veterans know they are not navigating the process alone and that they have a team committed to standing beside them.
Martha Carrero
Director of VA Filing Operations
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Martha serves as Director of VA Filing Operations at Veteran Legal, where she leads the team responsible for ensuring veterans’ claims, appeals, and other filings are accurately and timely submitted to the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Martha brings more than 16 years of management and leadership experience to Veteran Legal. Since joining the firm in 2022, she has continued to take on greater responsibilities and has played an important role in developing the processes and team responsible for managing the firm’s growing volume of VA filings. Her attention to detail, adaptability, and commitment to her team have been instrumental in her growth within the firm.
As Director of VA Filing Operations, Martha is passionate about developing her team, improving the way the firm serves its clients, and ensuring that every filing receives the attention it deserves. She understands that behind every claim or appeal is a veteran who is counting on Veteran Legal to get it right.
For Martha, her continued growth at Veteran Legal has been one of the most rewarding accomplishments of her career. She is proud to lead a team whose work contributes directly to the firm’s most important mission - fighting for and serving our nation’s veterans.