CCK Law Community Engagement (September 2026): Deepening Partnerships Through Education and Thought Leadership

CCK Law deepened strategic partnerships and expanded educational outreach across Georgia and nationally in September, strengthening relationships with organizations serving veterans, military families, and their communities while sharing trusted information and legal expertise.

Expanding Engagement and Strengthening Partnerships

Military Influencer Conference

Partner Brad Hennings and Community Engagement Lead Nicole Goodrich represented CCK Law at the 10th annual Military Influencer Conference (MIC) in Tampa, Florida, one of the nation’s largest gatherings of the military-connected community.

MIC brought together approximately 4,000 service members, veterans, military spouses, government and military leaders, nonprofit and business executives, entrepreneurs, advocates, and creators for four days of learning, collaboration, and connection.

U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs Doug Collins participated in a fireside conversation focused on the future of VA and issues affecting veterans and military families, joining a broad lineup of military, government, business, and community leaders.

CCK Law’s participation strengthened national relationships and created new opportunities for collaboration across the military and veteran community.

VETLANTA Q3 Summit

In Georgia, Brad Hennings and Nicole Goodrich represented CCK Law at the VETLANTA Q3 Summit at the Chick-fil-A College Football Hall of Fame, bringing together veterans and transitioning service members, military spouses, veteran-owned businesses, corporate leaders, and nonprofit and public-sector partners from across the state.

The summit featured remarks from Dr. Lee Payne, Deputy Under Secretary for Health at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, as well as a special performance by The Washington Tattoo. CCK Law’s continued participation in VETLANTA reinforces the firm’s commitment to collaboration across Georgia’s military and veteran-serving community.

Gateway Center

Nicole Goodrich also represented CCK Law at Gateway Center’s 14th Annual Human Clay, its signature fundraiser supporting programs for individuals and families experiencing homelessness in Atlanta. The event raised approximately $447,000 to support Gateway Center’s mission and services.

CCK Law’s relationship with Gateway Center has grown throughout the year through sponsorship and educational outreach, including a presentation on VA disability benefits and the appeals process for staff serving veterans experiencing homelessness.

Education and Thought Leadership

Georgia State University College of Law

Partner Brad Hennings spoke with Georgia State University College of Law students through its Lunch with a Lawyer series, sharing insights from his work in veterans law and his previous service as a Veterans Law Judge with the Board of Veterans’ Appeals.

Brad spoke candidly about his career path and encouraged students to explore their interests and give themselves time to determine what comes next in their own legal careers. Students were engaged throughout the conversation and asked thoughtful questions about his experiences and career in law.

NextOp Veterans

As a Patriot Sponsor of NextOp Veterans, CCK Law continued to deepen its partnership with the Houston-based organization, which helps enlisted service members and veterans transition into meaningful civilian careers.

Brad Hennings and Nicole Goodrich presented to transitioning service members about career opportunities and open positions at CCK Law, complementing NextOp’s employment-focused programming and providing participants with direct insight into opportunities within the firm.

This marked CCK Law’s second presentation with NextOp, with a third program already being planned for early 2027.

Intown Cares

In Atlanta, Brad Hennings and Nicole Goodrich presented CCK Law’s Understanding the VA Disability Benefits System and Appeals Process program to staff at Intown Cares, an organization working to prevent and reverse homelessness and hunger through:

• Housing support
• Case management
• Street outreach
• Food programs

The presentation equipped staff, including case managers working directly with people experiencing homelessness, with information to help identify and better support veterans who may be eligible for VA disability benefits.

With 32,495 veterans experiencing homelessness nationwide on a single night in January 2025 — and 646 veterans identified in Georgia’s 2024 Point-in-Time Count — building relationships with organizations serving veterans experiencing homelessness remains an important component of CCK Law’s community engagement strategy.

Building Partnerships and Capacity

The Warrior Alliance

CCK Law continued its established partnership with The Warrior Alliance through participation in its 9/11 remembrance event at Truist Park, honoring those lost on September 11 and the service and sacrifice of first responders.

The relationship with The Warrior Alliance also includes Partner Brad Hennings’ participation in its statewide Veteran Legal Service Network, creating a referral pathway for veterans seeking assistance with VA disability benefits and appeals.

Emory Healthcare Veterans Program

CCK Law also expanded its veteran-serving network through a developing relationship with the Emory Healthcare Veterans Program, including a meeting with its Clinical Operations Manager to explore educational presentations and other opportunities for collaboration.

The nationally recognized program provides no-cost, evidence-based mental health care to eligible post-9/11 veterans and service members, creating a natural opportunity to connect veterans with complementary legal information, mental health care, and supportive resources.

QPR Suicide Prevention Training

CCK Law also strengthened its capacity to serve the veteran community through participation in QPR — Question, Persuade, Refer — suicide-prevention training offered through The Warrior Alliance. The training equips participants to recognize warning signs of a suicide crisis, engage someone who may be at risk, and connect them with appropriate support.

Georgia Planned Giving Council

Nicole Goodrich represented CCK Law at the Georgia Planned Giving Council meeting, continuing to build relationships within Georgia’s philanthropic and planned giving community while increasing awareness of the firm’s Bequest Management practice.

Supporting Veteran Communities in Georgia and Nationally

Through national engagement, education, thought leadership, and sustained investment in strategic partnerships throughout September 2026, CCK Law continued to deepen relationships across the military, veteran-serving, legal, health care, nonprofit, and philanthropic communities.

These efforts expanded opportunities to connect veterans and their families with trusted legal information and complementary resources while strengthening CCK Law’s presence in Georgia and nationally.