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Eric Gang, founder of Gang & Associates, was recently profiled in International Business Times in a feature article titled “Fighting for Veterans, Not Fees: Eric Gang’s Mission to Protect the Vulnerable and Reform the Veterans Legal System.” The piece highlights Gang’s dedication to representing disabled veterans in some of the most complex legal claims in the country, as well as his ongoing efforts to protect veterans from predatory actors and advance much-needed reform within the system.
A Legal System That’s Grown Too Complex for Veterans to Navigate Alone
In the article Eric emphasizes how the veterans’ benefits system has evolved from a relatively simple process into a highly intricate legal and medical battlefield. Changes like the repeal of outdated fee limits in 2007 and the Appeals Modernization Act of 2017 have transformed how veterans must pursue claims, particularly in cases involving serious and long-latency conditions like Agent Orange exposure, burn pits, and neurological disorders.
Gang points out that while free services—like those offered by the American Legion or Disabled American Veterans—remain invaluable, they are not always equipped to handle the 10% of cases that are truly complex and often denied at first glance. These are the cases where accredited attorneys become essential.
Taking on the Toughest Cases—Without Charging Interest or Upfront Fees
Gang & Associates has built its reputation by taking on the hard cases: veterans whose claims have been denied, whose conditions are scientifically difficult to prove, or who require multiple expert evaluations. The firm regularly advances the costs of litigation like expert medical reports and testimony and never charges interest or upfront fees. If the case is successful, the firm recovers its expenses; if it’s not, the veteran owes nothing.
Gang explains that the pricing model ensures that even the most vulnerable veterans—those who are older, homeless, or suffering from mental illness—can access the high-level legal support they need.
Standing Up to “Claim Sharks” and Pushing for Accountability
A major theme of the article is Gang’s concern about the rise of unaccredited “claim sharks”—non-lawyers and third-party companies that exploit loopholes to charge fees for services that should be free. These entities, often supported by aggressive lobbying and seeking to profit from vulnerable populations, operate in a largely unregulated space where criminal penalties have been stripped away.
“Accreditation is not hard,” Gang says. “They avoid it because once they’re accredited, they can’t charge for the simple stuff.”
He calls for greater enforcement, professional standards, and public education to protect veterans from predatory practices and ensure they’re directed to the appropriate resources.
Complementing Free Veterans Services, Not Replacing Them
Gang emphasizes that his firm does not aim to replace free veterans’ services but rather to support them. His veterans disability team regularly provides legal updates and education for service officers and encourages veterans to first pursue free assistance. However, when cases are denied or become too complicated, his firm steps in with legal and financial muscle that most other organizations simply don’t have the capacity to provide.
A Call to Reframe How We View Lawyers Who Serve Veterans
At its core, the International Business Times feature is not just a profile of one attorney, but a call to reframe the public perception of lawyers working in this space.
“Not every lawyer is a predator,” Gang states. “We are not here to take from veterans—we are here to fight for the cases no one else can win.”
His message to veterans is clear: start with the free services. But if that doesn’t work, don’t give up. Find a licensed, accredited advocate who knows how to win these complex battles.