Thomas Bandzul | Return of the Hounds: Alumni Masterclass+Festival (2024)

Veterans Advocate, US Congressional Lobbyist, Counsel for Veterans for Common Sense

Masterclass Presentation:“Affecting Change For Native American Veterans”

In the current role as Legislative Counsel, Mr. Bandzul serves as the advisor to Veterans for Common Sense (VCS). He is also active in developing and helping to promote bills for the House and Senate as either modification to existing laws or development of new laws. As part of a continuing practice helping Veterans, their families and first responders with veterans claims issues, understanding the processes used in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) or any particular legal issue encountered. In this role he is active in interfacing with other Veterans Service Organizations (VSO’s), the Federal Bar Association and the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (CAVC) Bar Association.

As a counsel to Veterans and the courts, Mr. Bandzul is very active in the Veterans Treatment Courts and attends the National Drug Court Professional’s Conference each year. VCS and his previous company (Veterans and Military Families for Progress (VMFP)) he is an ardent supporter of these courts and the role played in these meetings and in the courts. Veterans Treatment is a path away from repetitive behavior leading to problems with the law, self-medication with drugs or alcohol in regards to issues related to past experiences in military service.

As a service-connected disabled veteran himself, he served as legal advisor on legislative affairs and advocacy for over 18 to the VA, other lawyers and the House and Senate. Mainly providing legal assistance to veterans and their families who sought disability benefits from the VA he is also very active in the local community on supporting voter rights. He was a volunteer with the Fairfax County Sheriffs office to help Veteran population in the county jail.

Thomas received his Bachelors degree from Eastern New Mexico University and a JD from the University of Missouri. He currently lives in Burke, VA. He has three grown children who live in various parts of the country. He is a member of the Federal Bar Association; Veterans Law Section, The American Bar Association, the CAVC Bar Association and is an advisor to various courts on the Veterans Treatment Courts. He is also a member of the American Legion, Military Officers Association of America (MOAA), Disable Veterans of America (DAV), American Veterans (AmVets) and the National Association of Drug Court Professionals Association (NDCPA).