Working with former members of the armed services who received a less than honorable discharge is not for the faint of heart.
For Dania Lofton, JD ’15, each day brings new challenges — and opportunities to make a difference. As an administrative attorney with The Veterans Consortium (vetsprobono.org), a Veterans legal aid nonprofit in Washington, D.C., she spends her time combing through thousands of pages of legal documents, interviewing clients, and helping veterans, their families, caregivers, and survivors fight for the dignity and benefits they have earned.
Dania works with the organization’s Discharge Upgrade Program, which helps service members who received an unjust “Other than Honorable” discharge rating because of behavior resulting from an invisible injury, such as PTSD, military sexual trauma, or another mental health crisis. Some of the stories she hears are harrowing, but Lofton remains committed to helping her clients rebuild their lives. “They appreciate that I’m helping them when perhaps no one else was willing or able,” she says. “It’s incredibly rewarding watching them get the resources they need and begin to heal.”
Becoming an advocate for those with an other than honorable discharge wasn’t part of Lofton’s original plan. Her professional journey began in politics and public policy, where she focused on mental health legislation. But when the opportunity to serve these clients arose, she realized how deeply it aligned with her personal and professional values.
“I love what I do, but it’s not without its challenges,” Lofton reflects. “As an attorney, you have to advocate for all of your clients, regardless of your personal beliefs. I always make sure I’m loving the person—it’s paramount.”
Lofton credits Ohio Northern University’s Pettit College of Law with providing a foundation that supports her demanding and meaningful work today. Her time at ONU Law honed her analytical thinking, discipline, and deep respect for the practice of law.
“ONU Law built a solid foundation for the path I ultimately pursued,” she says. “It taught me how to think critically, how to write effectively, and how to apply the law to real-life situations.”
As a Summer Starter, Lofton immersed herself in her studies, often spending hours poring over case materials and dissecting legal arguments.
“Read your cases and study for understanding,” she advises current students. “It’s easy to memorize, but you need to know how to apply the law.”
That commitment has paid off. Working with veterans who face social stigma and legal barriers due to their discharge status and their mental health challenges requires diligence, empathy, and precision — skills afforded to Lofton while at ONU Law.
“When you’re working with individuals who received a less than honorable discharge, they often hesitate to seek help,” Lofton explains. “There are so many legal and policy restrictions that they need assistance navigating. They need a legal professional who can sort through the technicalities — and that’s where I come in.”
Lofton’s journey represents the spirit of service and advocacy that ONU Law strives to instill in every graduate. “I never imagined I’d be doing this kind of work,” Lofton admits. “But I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be.”