VA-Accredited Attorney, Veteran, Advocate
VA-Accredited Attorney Aaron Drake knows what it means to fight for your rights. When you work with Attorney Aaron Drake, you’re not just hiring a lawyer, you’re gaining an advocate who has walked the same path as the men and women he represents.
Aaron is a veteran, JAG officer, former Air Force Academy law professor, and VA-accredited attorney. He has spent his entire legal career helping veterans and service members get the benefits and recognition they’ve earned.
With nearly two decades of experience in veterans’ and military law, Aaron understands both the legal complexities and the human cost of service.
Legal and Military Background:
- Owner, The Veteran’s Advocate, PC (2014–present)Focused exclusively on veterans’ and military law, including VA disability appeals, Board for Correction of Military Records (BCMR) petitions, security clearance adjudications, and federal benefits cases in divorce.
- Chief Counsel – Staff Judge Advocate, Utah Air National GuardServing as Lieutenant Colonel (JAG), advising commanders on ethics, operations, and compliance issues.
- Former Chief Counsel – State Judge Advocate, Utah National GuardLed a team of 14 attorneys and 20 paralegals supporting over 7,000 service members statewide.Advised general officers, the Utah Legislature, and the Lieutenant Governor on military law issues.
- Former Assistant Professor of Law, U.S. Air Force AcademyTaught Law for Air Force Officers, Negotiations, and Spanish.Published in the Denver Journal of International Law & Policy and presented internationally on military justice and international law.
- Former Assistant Staff Judge Advocate, U.S. Air ForceServed as a prosecutor and chief labor counsel, later deployed to Baghdad, Iraq, as the Rule of Law Coordinator for U.S. and Iraqi Security Forces.
Education & Credentials:
- J.D., magna cum laude – BYU J. Reuben Clark Law School
- Top 5% graduate, Order of the Coif
- Recipient of the J. Reuben Clark Award for academic excellence and integrity
- Former Solicitations Editor, BYU Education & Law Journal
- B.S., magna cum laude – Weber State University
- Degree in Spanish
- VA-Accredited Attorney – Authorized to represent veterans before the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
- Top Secret Clearance – Reflecting the highest standards of trust and responsibility.
- Fluent in Spanish – Serving bilingual veterans and families across the U.S.
Aaron is a sought-after presenter on veterans’ and military law, having led continuing legal education (CLE) sessions and international lectures for attorneys, paralegals, and military leaders.
Selected presentations include:
- “Malpractice Minefield: The Mistakes Civilian Lawyers Make with Their Military Clients” – Utah Bar CLE (2022)
- “Assessing Your Client for Service-Connected Disability” – Veterans Advocates Group of America (2019)
- “Division of Military Retirement Pay in Divorce and the Federal Law that Controls It” – Utah Paralegal Association (2018)
- “The Intersection of Military and Civilian Justice Systems” – Utah Prosecution Council (2016)
- “Rule of Law in U.S. Military Combat Operations” – Presented to Moroccan military officers (2012)
Aaron founded The Veteran’s Advocate to fill a gap he saw in how veterans were represented. Too many were left with denials, delays, or misinformation from unaccredited “helpers” who meant well but weren’t qualified to fight complicated appeals.
Today, Aaron’s practice stands for three principles:
- Compassion – Every veteran’s story matters.
- Integrity – Honest, plainspoken legal guidance.
- Persistence – Never giving up until the VA gets it right.
Located in Salt Lake City, Aaron and his team represent veterans throughout Utah and across the country.Whether you served in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, or Space Force — if you need help with your VA disability appeal, The Veteran’s Advocate is here for you.
