Two U.S. Army and Operation Iraqi Freedom veterans, Hill Ward Henderson Attorney, Matthew F. Hall (Class of 2011) and Daniel K. Armstrong (Class of 2010), met while attending University of Florida (UF) Levin College of Law and were surprised to find that there were no endowed scholarships for veterans. Hall and Armstrong decided to carry the flag and create the first endowed scholarship available exclusively to military veterans and service members at Levin College of Law.
After Armstrong’s father LTC James (Tom) T. Armstrong (Ret.), became ill and passed away, Hall and Armstrong decided to name the scholarship in his honor. Through a truly grassroots effort and the help of hundreds of contributors at varying levels of financial support and encouragement, the mission to create this long overdue scholarship was successful. In the fall of 2016 the first LTC James T. Armstrong Memorial Law School Veteran's Scholarship Fund (JTAM) was available for UF law students to apply. The applicants needed to provide only their proof of honorable service in the military, no essays or financial aid applications, just a single page service record issued by the Department of Defense. The applicants are chosen based on a point scale that rewards overseas service, valor awards and combat experience.
For the inaugural year UF selected Jonathan “Yoni” Haim as the initial awardee of the JTAM Veterans Scholarship. Mr. Haim is a combat veteran who served with the Marines in Afghanistan prior to attending law school. It is this sacrifice and service that is honored with the JTAM Law School Veterans Scholarship. Beyond Mr. Haim's sacrifice to his country his law school path also demonstrates the need for the scholarship. For more information on the scholarship program please visit the website.
Mr. Hall is an Associate in Hill Ward Henderson’s Litigation Group. His practice primarily focuses on insurance coverage disputes, general commercial litigation and federal court practice. Prior to law school, Mr. Hall served as an infantryman in the U.S. Army, deploying to Iraq in 2003. During law school, he served as President of the Military Law Students Association and created a scholarship fund for military veterans at the University of Florida Levin College of Law. After law school, Mr. Hall served as a law clerk to Hon. Peter T. Fay at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit. He is also actively involved in the leadership of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 4321 in South Tampa and is a board member with the Mid-Florida Chapter of the National MS Society. Additionally, Hall is a life member of the Disabled American Veterans and a Mentor with the Hillsborough County Veterans Treatment Court.
4.10.17Firm News