Professor of Practice, Veterans Legal Clinic
- JD, 2013, University of San Diego
- PhD, 2010, Florida State University
- MA, 2006, Florida State University
- BA, 2003, San Diego State University
Areas of Expertise
Clinical Education, Veterans Law, Military Justice, Philosophy of Law, Child Welfare Law, Legal Writing, Bar Exam Writing
Professional Experience
Professor Ali Brown is the Managing Attorney for the Veterans Legal Clinic, which provides pro bono legal services to low-income, indigent, and homeless veterans and their families. Ali specializes in representing veterans with PTSD or who have experienced Military Sexual Trauma and advocating before the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Court of Appeals for veterans Claims.
Ali joined the Veterans Legal Clinic as a Staff Attorney in 2017 and was Professor of Practice in 2022 and became the Managing Attorney of the Veterans Legal Clinic in 2024. Before joining the Veterans Legal Clinic, Ali was a trial attorney with Dependency Legal Group of San Diego, where she practiced child welfare law and was awarded (with her trial team) Courtroom Team of the Year in 2015. Prior to that, she was a trial attorney at Hanna, Brophy, MacLean, McAleer & Jensen, LLP, a Workers’ Compensation Insurance Defense firm.
Ali earned her BA in Philosophy and French in 2003 from San Diego State University, summa cum laude, and she was recognized for making an Outstanding Contribution to the Philosophical Community in 2002. She earned her M.A. in Philosophy in 2006 and her Ph.D. in Philosophy in 2010 from Florida State University, where her concentrations included Philosophy of Law, Action Theory, Responsibility, Luck, and Ethics. She earned her JD in 2013 from the University of San Diego, where she was chief student comment editor of the San Diego International Law Journal and a member of the Appellate Moot Court Board.
Honors and Affiliations
Ali is admitted to the bar in California and is a Department of Veterans Affairs accredited attorney. She is a Rotarian, serves as a Board member for Compassion for African Villages, which works with African villagers to develop sustainable and equitable educational resources, and is an active member of Military Spouse J.D. Network, advocate for licensing accommodations for military spouses.
Ali is also a lecturer in San Diego State University’s Philosophy Department where she has taught designed and taught courses on topics including logic, critical thinking, and ethics.