Troutman Pepper was mentioned in the July 9, 2024 American Lawyer article, “The Work That Matters: Highlights From the Year in Big Law Pro Bono.”

After eight years of litigation in Rudisill v. McDonough, Troutman Pepper secured a ruling from the U.S. Supreme Court that unlocks additional education benefits for some 1.7 million military veterans.

The Post-9/11 GI Bill that Congress enacted in 2008 provided “enhanced educational benefits” that were far more generous than the then-prevailing peacetime Montgomery GI Bill. Congress passed the bill in recognition of the “especially arduous” wartime service required of veterans since September 11, 2001.

The case was brought by FBI Special Agent James Rudisill, whose eight years of qualifying service, including active duty in combat in Iraq and Afghanistan, entitled him to educational benefits under both the Montgomery and Post-9/11 GI Bills. The legal team argued before the U.S. Supreme Court last November, and in April, the court issued a 7-2 ruling in Rudisill’s favor, holding that “Veterans who separately accrue benefits under both the Montgomery and Post-9/11 GI Bills are entitled to both benefits.”

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