Shielding Veterans: Legal Services with Purpose and Impact

Good morning and welcome everyone. My name is Bret Schanzenbach. I'm the President and CEO here at the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce. I am your host today, and I'm excited to have with me Michael Stinnett. Michael is the founder and director of Shield Legal Services.
Bret: Good morning, Michael.
Michael: Good morning.
Bret: Good to have you down here.
Michael: Thanks for having me.
Bret: I'm excited about this conversation. You and I have had the chance to get to know each other a little bit, and I was looking into your past. I know we're going to get into some of your military service and things like that. But before joining the Navy, were you a local here?
Michael: I'm from Palm Springs originally.
Bret: Okay, so technically Southern California-ish, but not San Diego.
Michael: Right. But I was stationed in San Diego, and I do consider it home. We've adopted it.
Bret: Absolutely. So you went into the Navy. Tell us about that.
Michael: I enlisted pretty much right after high school, around 2005. I became an aviation ordnance technician, stationed with a helicopter squadron in San Diego for five years. We were attached to the USS Nimitz, so whenever it deployed, we deployed. I did two deployments to the Persian Gulf in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom, and another in the Pacific.
After that, I did shore duty for three years in Coronado as a weapons instructor, training ordnance technicians in San Diego, Japan, and Hawaii before they deployed. I also trained pilots and aircrew in small arms and heavy weapons. Overall, I spent eight years in San Diego, which was great.
Bret: Amazing. Thank you for your service. I noticed in your record: helicopter strike weapons and anti-submarine squads. That sounds unique.
Michael: We had two models of helicopters back then—one for anti-submarine warfare, with sonar and torpedoes, and another for combat search and rescue, outfitted with Hellfire missiles and heavy guns. Later, they merged into newer aircraft that did everything.
Bret: Fascinating. Then you ventured into politics?
Michael: Yes, I’d always been interested. While stationed here, I started taking night classes. When I left the Navy in 2013, I transferred to Boston University, double-majored in political science and industrial relations, minored in history. I interned with Congressman Ruiz in Palm Springs, then worked on now-Mayor Michelle Wu’s city council campaign in Boston.
Bret: And you also studied in Switzerland?
Michael: Right. In 2014, I studied abroad there in an international organizations program and worked for the Small Arms Survey, a research group analyzing global gun proliferation. It was eye-opening work and gave me the chance to travel throughout Europe.
Bret: Then law school came next?
Michael: I went to Washington & Lee for law school. My first summer, I interned at the Department of Justice in the Criminal Division in D.C., working on electronic surveillance cases. The next summer, I worked in the DOJ’s New York Antitrust office on a big case involving foreign exchange price fixing. It was intense but a great learning experience—especially in understanding how to communicate complex cases to juries.
Bret: And you went even deeper into law?
Michael: Yes. I went on to Georgetown Law for a master’s in national security law and international human rights. That led me to the NSA’s Office of General Counsel for three years. When my contract ended, I transitioned to a nonprofit in D.C. providing pro bono legal services to homeless veterans, funded by the VA.
Bret: What kind of cases did you see?
Michael: Everything from disability ratings to housing disputes, landlord-tenant issues, and helping veterans navigate VA benefits. Many didn’t even know what was available to them. Some had served decades earlier and never filed for disability. It was rewarding work—much more personally fulfilling than the NSA.
Bret: And those services were free for veterans at that time, correct?
Michael: Yes, all funded by grants. Veterans didn’t pay a thing.
Bret: What brought you back to San Diego?
Michael: Our nonprofit’s funding was cut. Around the same time, I was ready to leave D.C. I missed San Diego, and I quickly realized there were very few organizations here offering similar legal services for veterans. With Camp Pendleton nearby and thousands of service members transitioning every year, the need is enormous. That’s why I founded Shield Legal Services.
Bret: So you’re trying to replicate what you built in D.C., here in North County?
Michael: Exactly. The challenge now is securing funding. With that in place, we can offer free services. Even without funding, I still help veterans at affordable rates. The key is making sure they know their rights, what benefits they qualify for, and how to access resources.
Bret: Give us an example.
Michael: A homeless veteran might come in with an eviction notice. I’d explain their legal rights, timelines, and required paperwork. Once that’s stabilized, we’d review their disability rating, GI Bill eligibility, job training options, or mortgage support. It’s a holistic process—helping them navigate the VA maze.
Bret: And your own experience helps, since you used VA benefits yourself.
Michael: Yes. I used the GI Bill and vocational rehab, which is open to veterans with a disability rating of 30% or higher. I know firsthand how complicated it can be—and how much goes unadvertised by the VA. Veterans need someone to coach them through it.
Bret: While you build funding, you’re already helping veterans. What’s next for Shield Legal Services?
Michael: I’m seeking grants from local and state governments, as well as private donors. Joining the Carlsbad Chamber has been a huge help in building those connections. Eventually, I’d like Shield to serve not just San Diego, but veterans nationwide through virtual support.
Bret: With 9,000 Marines leaving active duty from Camp Pendleton every year, the need is clear. And many transition without enough information to succeed.
Michael: Exactly. Too often, commands discourage transitions, or service members go through the process without really understanding their benefits. If they start planning six months out, they can set themselves up for long-term success.
Bret: And for listeners who want to reach you?
Michael: Email is best: michael@shieldls.org.
Bret: Perfect. Michael, thank you for your service, for what you’re building, and for sharing your story with us today.
Michael: Thank you. I’m glad to be here.
Thanks for joining us today on Carlsbad People, Purpose, and Impact. If you enjoyed this episode, please follow us on your favorite podcast app and share with a friend.