Girard & Centonzio Veterans Disability Lawyers

Bios

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  VIRGINIA A. GIRARD

  Managing Partner

  VIRGINIA A. GIRARD, Managing Partner, received a B.A. in English/Creative Writing from the University of Kansas in 1989 and a Juris Doctorate from Washburn University in 1996. In 2000, she founded ABS Legal Advocates, P.A. to protect the rights of those who had courageously served our country. With over 23 years of experience in veterans’ benefit law, and is the President of the National Organization of Veterans Advocates (NOVA). She is admitted to practice before the United States Supreme Court, the Supreme Court of Kansas, the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (CAVC), and the Federal District Court of Kansas. Virginia is also accredited by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

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  Link: VIRGINIA A. GIRARD

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  Javier A. Centonzio

  Managing Partner

  JAVIER A. CENTONZIO, Managing Partner, Javier Centonzio’s path to becoming an attorney was anything but conventional. After moving from Puerto Rico to Kansas City as a child, he left high school early to attend Job Corps, earned his GED, and enlisted in the Marine Corps as an Infantryman. Later, while serving in the Kansas Army National Guard, he experienced a profound loss when his close friend, Sgt. Jessie Davila, was killed in Iraq. This tragedy inspired Javier to pursue a legal career advocating for veterans. While earning his B.A. in Political Science at Park University, Javier championed initiatives to support veterans, helping secure a $100,000 grant for transitioning service members. He continued this commitment at Stetson University College of Law, where he co-founded the Veterans Law Institute and established the Sgt. Jessie Davila Memorial Veterans Scholarship. His legal journey led him to serve as a Federal Judicial Law Clerk for Judge Robert N. Davis at the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims before transitioning into private practice as a Veterans Disability Attorney, where he now represents veterans nationwide. Beyond his legal career, Javier is deeply committed to education and community service. He has created multiple scholarships, including the Dr. Ron Brecke Veterans Scholarship at Park University and the Centonzio Family Military and Veteran Scholarship at the University of Kansas. He serves on the advisory board of the University of Kansas Veterans Law Clinic, is a board member of the Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Foundation (KCMBF), and holds the position of Vice-Chair of KCMBF's Military Matters program. Javier is licensed to practice law in Florida, Washington, D.C., Kansas, and Missouri and is admitted before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit and the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (CAVC). He is an active member of the National Organization of Veterans Advocates and holds Life Memberships with the Marine Corps League, Disabled American Veterans, and the American Legion. Outside of work, Javier enjoys golfing, traveling, watching documentaries, and spending time with his wife and four children. His unwavering dedication to veterans and his community continues to shape his professional and personal endeavors.

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  Link: Javier A. Centonzio

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  Benjamin T. Malotte

  Partner

  BENJAMIN T. MALOTTE, Partner and Manager of Legal Operations, received a B.A. in Journalism from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in December 2014 and his Juris Doctorate from Washburn University School of Law in May 2018. He is admitted to practice before the Supreme Court of Kansas and the United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (CAVC). Ben is accredited by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and has been representing veterans and their survivors as an associate since September 2018.

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  Link: Benjamin T. Malotte

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  Jamie M. Boldt

  Special Senior Counsel

  JAMIE M. BOLDT, Special Senior Counsel, received a B.S. in Business from K.U. in December 2003, a Juris Doctorate from the University of Kansas in May 2006, and an MBA from the University of Missouri in Kansas City in 2009. She is admitted to practice before the Kansas and Missouri Supreme Courts, United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, and the United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (CAVC). Jamie is accredited by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and has been representing veterans and their survivors as an associate since 2007.

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  Link: Jamie M. Boldt

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  Eva D. Perring

  Senior Associate Attorney

  EVA D. PERRING, Senior Associate Attorney, received a B.S. in Criminal Justice from Washburn University in May 2013 and a Juris Doctorate from Washburn University School of Law in December 2015. She is admitted to practice before the Supreme Court of Missouri and the United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (CAVC). Eva is accredited by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and has been representing veterans and their survivors as an associate since June 2016.

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  Link: Eva D. Perring

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  Aimee A. S. Robeson

  Associate Attorney

  AIMEE A.S. ROBESON, Associate Attorney, is a US Army Veteran who retired in December 2021 as a Chief Warrant Officer-3. She received a BS in Business Communications from the University of Phoenix in November 2009, an MA in Cyber Analytics from American Military University in August 2017, and her Juris Doctor from Mitchell Hamline School of Law in May 2022. Aimee is admitted to practice before the Supreme Court of Minnesota and the United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (CAVC). She is accredited by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and has been representing veterans and their survivors as an associate since January 2023.

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  Link: Aimee A. S. Robeson

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  Grace A. Paul

  Associate Attorney

  GRACE A. Paul, Associate Attorney, received a Bachelor’s in Sociology from Stetson University College in 2020 and her Juris Doctorate from the Stetson University College of Law in 2023. She is admitted to practice before the Supreme Court of Florida and the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (CVAC). Grace is accredited by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and has been representing veterans and their survivors as an associate attorney since August 2023

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  Roger W. Klaffka

  Associate Attorney

  ROGER W. KLAFFKA, Associate Attorney, is a US Air Force Veteran who retired in September 2009 as a Lieutenant Colonel. He received a B.S. in Aerospace Engineering from Syracuse University in May 1992, an M.A. in Administrative Sciences from The George Washington University in May 1999, an M.S. in Military Operational Art and Science in June 2004, and his Juris Doctor from Stetson University College of Law in 2017. He is licensed to practice law in Florida. He is a member of the Brevard County Bar Association, the Military Officers Association of America, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the American Legion, and the Air Commando Association. He has represented veterans and their survivors as an associate attorney since December 2024.

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  Link: Roger W. Klaffka

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  Sara Wells

  Chief Paralegal

  SARA WELLS, Chief Paralegal, earned a B.S. in Community, Corporate, and Hospital Wellness in 2009 and a B.S. in Education in 2011, both from Pittsburg State University. Sara became the Chief Paralegal at ABS in August of 2023 and is responsible for communicating with new and existing clients and V.A. personnel and supervising our paralegal team.

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  Link: Sara Wells