Daniel Nagin

Daniel Nagin is a Clinical Professor of Law at Harvard Law School and Faculty Director of the WilmerHale Legal Services Center, a public interest law firm hosting six Harvard civil practice clinics. He founded the Veterans Legal Clinic in 2012 and served as Harvard Law School's inaugural Vice Dean for Experiential and Clinical Education (2015–2021). He previously held faculty roles at the University of Virginia School of Law and Washington University in St. Louis.

• B.A., Phi Beta Kappa and with distinction in all subjects, Cornell University
• M.A., Stanford University
• J.D., University of Chicago Law School, Edwin F. Mandel Award recipient

His research spans clinical legal education, veterans law and policy, social welfare law, and legal services delivery systems. He has explored VA evidentiary standards, administrative delays, and discharge upgrade advocacy for veterans. His work bridges legal scholarship with practical reforms, cited by the U.S. Supreme Court and the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims.

Recent publications include a 2021 book on military discharge upgrades, a 2020 article on clinical education frameworks, and 2015 analyses of VA backlog and credibility determinations. His scholarship emphasizes non-adversarial adjudication, veterans' rights, and systemic legal reform.

Scientific and professional recognitions include:

• Fellow, American Bar Foundation
• John G. Brooks Legal Services Award, Boston Bar Association
• Access to Equal Justice Award, Washington University in St. Louis
• Edwin F. Mandel Award, University of Chicago Law School

Nagin leads the WilmerHale Legal Services Center and Veterans Legal Clinic. He has served on the Amicus Committee (Boston Bar Association), AALS Poverty Law Executive Committee, and U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims Judicial Advisory Committee. His teaching includes Veterans Law and Disability Benefits Clinic (Fall 2025/Spring 2026) and clinical seminars.