Congratulations to Amy B. Kretkowski, who received the Kenneth M. Carpenter Award for Excellence at NOVA’s 2026 Spring Conference! 

This award is given to an outstanding NOVA member whose exemplary advocacy on behalf of veterans is admired by all. Amy started her veterans law career as a law clerk to Judge Mary Schoelen on the US Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims from 2009 to 2011. In addition to her private practice, she nationally trains VSOs and is an Adjunct Professor at the University of Iowa College of Law.

Amy was a driving force behind establishing NOVA’s mentorship program and has been instrumental in providing feedback for our written and oral testimonies.  She was previously awarded NOVA’s Pro Bono Advocate of the Year Award in 2022 and served on the NOVA Board of Directors from 2019 to 2025.

NOVA members say, “she has made an indelible impact on Veterans law by her determined approach in representing her clients, by her dedication to assist and educate interested representatives in VA law nationwide and her sound commitment to NOVA.”

And, “she wholeheartedly embodies what The Kenneth M. Carpenter advocacy award represents.”

We deeply appreciate her many years of dedicated service to NOVA.

Congratulations Amy!!

Congratulations to Yelena Duterte, who received the NOVA Pro Bono Advocate of the Year Award at NOVA’s Spring 2026 Conference!  The Pro Bono Advocate award is presented to recognize achievements and a continuing pattern of excellence in providing pro bono assistance to veterans and their families.

Yelena has directed law school veterans' clinics for 10 years, at Syracuse University and now at University of Illinois Chicago. This past year, she obtained the first ever settlement from VA that included certification of a class, in Gladney-Chase v. Collins.

NOVA members say, “she is extraordinarily humble, generous, and kind…she has been a brilliant leader in our field. She has represented many veterans at all levels, inspired countless students to stay and excel in our field, published many articles in law reviews and other publications addressing cutting-edge issues.”

Congratulations Yelena!

Congratulations to the Stetson University Veterans Law Institute, which received the Veterans Community Service Award at NOVA's 2026 Spring Conference!  This award is presented to a person or organization that has provided outstanding service to America’s veterans.

The Veterans Law Institute has assisted hundreds of veterans across the country in obtaining their disability benefits for free while training law students, many of whom go on to work in veterans law after graduation. They have drafted numerous amici briefs to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, and the U.S. Supreme Court and has published several comments to proposed regulations, advocating for the entire veteran community.  In the last ten years, they have assisted veterans in achieving a new projected lifetime disability compensation total of over $100 million.

Congratulations!!

Congratulations to Samantha Greer, who received the Distinguished Advocate Award at NOVA’s 2026 Spring Conference!  The Distinguished Advocate Award is designed to recognize talent deserving wider recognition and/or contribute in some other quiet way to the betterment of NOVA and/or the veterans law profession.

Samantha’s practice has focused exclusively on veterans' issues since she graduated from law school. She currently teaches at the Robert W. Entenmann Veterans Law Clinic at Hofstra University School of Law.  While she has represented clients from all backgrounds, her particular focus has been in service of veteran clients who have experienced military sexual trauma or discrimination based on sexual orientation or race, and those who have current mental health diagnoses.

While serving as Coordinating Attorney of the Veterans Initiative in the Legal Health division of the New York Legal Assistance Group, Samantha established the first legal clinic in the country to exclusively serve women veterans, enabling them to receive trauma-informed legal assistance on a variety of civil legal matters, and most significantly, in cases involving military sexual trauma. Through her advocacy, she has obtained more than $3 million in annualized benefits for veterans and their surviving spouses.

Samantha embodies NOVA's mission to "develop and encourage high standards of service and representation for all persons seeking benefits." Not only does she live these values in her own practice, she encourages this same standard of service to veterans through her clinical law instruction.

One NOVA members said: “She is a zealous and compassionate advocate. She approaches her clients' cases with diligence, tenacity and, perhaps most importantly, care. She recognizes that this is a field of service for those who have served, and this principle is her driving force behind each and every client interaction. Simply put, she has dedicated her career to helping veterans and advocating on their behalf; there is no one more deserving of this award.”

Congratulations Samantha!!

Congratulations to Derek Debus, who received the Distinguished Advocate Award at NOVA’s 2026 Spring Conference!  The Distinguished Advocate Award recognizes talent deserving wider recognition, specifically those who contribute to the betterment of NOVA and/or the veterans law profession.

In just five years of practice, Derek has made an extraordinary impact on the veterans law community through service, leadership, and a deep commitment to those who have served.  His work has helped drive meaningful systemic change, including litigation that resulted in important updates to the VA’s M21-1, protecting earned attorney fees, and helping to preserve access to representation for veterans nationwide.

He has also devoted more than 600 hours to pro bono service, securing millions in benefits for veterans, while educating communities, supporting homeless veterans, mentoring new practitioners, and generously sharing his knowledge with colleagues across NOVA. Through his advocacy, professionalism, and unwavering dedication to both veterans and fellow advocates, he exemplifies the spirit of this award.

As one NOVA member said: “He has been a source of invaluable advice and information for me and no doubt many others over my years as a NOVA member.  He is a regular contributor of sound advice and counsel to his fellow advocates, useful guidance in working through a frustrating legal system for veterans and a source of encouragement to continue to push our rocks up our respective hills to make the system work for veterans.”  Another member noted: “He has always put his own time aside in favor of assisting others, whether it is a fellow practitioner or a veteran. He is never too busy to be a resource or sounding board to others. He has exhibited everything NOVA stands for and I can think of no more deserving member of this award.”

Congratulations Derek!!

More than 625 veterans’ advocates from across the country are convening—both in person and virtually—at the Manchester Grand Hyatt for NOVA’s 2026 Spring Conference, which officially began this morning.

We are excited to host our largest conference to date and look forward to a dynamic program of learning, collaboration, and advocacy. Special thanks to our presenters, exhibitors, sponsors, and attendees for making this event possible.