The People Behind Your Benefits.
Hope Legal Services is led by a VA-Accredited Claims Agent and supported by a dedicated team committed to serving veterans with integrity, professionalism, and care.
CO-FOUNDERS & OWNERS
The Heart Behind HLS
José and Loredee founded Hope Legal Services together — a husband-and-wife team united by faith, military service, and an unwavering commitment to veterans.
VA-Accredited Claims Agent | Co-Owner | Managing Director
José Augusto Rodríguez González
José Augusto Rodríguez González is a veteran, entrepreneur, and VA-Accredited Claims Agent who has dedicated much of his career to serving veterans and helping them navigate the VA benefits system.
Together with his wife, Loredee Torres, José co-founded Hope Legal Services in 2022 to provide veterans and their families with personalized, ethical, and knowledgeable representation.
Before founding HLS, José spent nearly eight years working in veteran advocacy and legal-services operations, gaining extensive experience with VA claims, appeals, case development, client services, and law-office operations.
His military background with the Puerto Rico Army National Guard, combined with his business, legal, mediation, and arbitration experience, gives him a unique understanding of the veterans HLS serves.
José is accredited by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of General Counsel, and is also a Certified Mediator (M-3166) and Arbitrator (A-592).
The Office of General Counsel (OGC) is the legal arm of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. It oversees the accreditation of claims agents and attorneys authorized to represent veterans before the VA. Only individuals listed in the OGC accreditation database are legally permitted to charge fees for VA claims assistance.
President | Co-Owner | Managing Director
Loredee Torres
Loredee Torres is the Co-Founder and President & CEO of Hope Legal Services. Together with her husband, José, she built HLS Puerto Rico from the ground up with a clear purpose: to stand beside veterans and their families as a trusted partner in the fight for earned benefits.
Loredee leads the organization's mission, culture, and growth — building a team defined by integrity, compassion, and excellence. Her leadership ensures that every veteran who walks through HLS's doors is treated with dignity and receives the full attention their case deserves.
JOSÉ'S BACKGROUND
Military & Professional Background
JOSÉ'S CREDENTIALS
Accreditations & Certifications
VA-Accredited Claims Agent
Accredited through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of General Counsel, to represent claimants in the preparation, presentation, and prosecution of VA benefit claims.
VERIFY ACCREDITATIONCertified Mediator — M-3166
Cert. No. M-3166
Certified in alternative dispute resolution, providing mediation services to help parties reach mutually agreeable resolutions outside of formal proceedings.
Certified Arbitrator — A-592
Cert. No. A-592
Certified in alternative dispute resolution, providing arbitration services as a neutral third party to render binding or advisory decisions.
PROTECT YOURSELF
Why VA Accreditation Matters
VA accreditation is not simply a marketing credential. It identifies individuals authorized by the Department of Veterans Affairs to assist claimants in the preparation, presentation, and prosecution of VA benefit claims. Veterans should verify the accreditation of anyone offering to represent them before VA.
VERIFY WITH THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRSVA ACCREDITED
CLAIMS AGENT
Office of General Counsel
LEADERSHIP
Program Leadership
Mental Health Program Director
Melissa Rivera Crespo, PhD
Melissa oversees the development and delivery of HLS's Christian Applied Neurotheology program for veterans. She brings deep expertise in mental wellness, faith-based healing, and veteran support — guiding veterans toward emotional restoration and renewed purpose.
SUPPORT LEGAL TEAM
Legal Support Staff
SUPPORT LEGAL TEAM
Edgar Hernández
Photo coming soon
SUPPORT LEGAL TEAM
Edgardo Hernández
SUPPORT LEGAL TEAM
Juan Rodríguez
Photo coming soon
SUPPORT LEGAL TEAM
Valerie Vera
Photo coming soon
SUPPORT LEGAL TEAM
Japhet Rodríguez
HOW WE OPERATE
Our Standard
Faith
Faith guides how we serve.
Trust
Trust determines how we operate.
Excellence
Excellence defines the standard we pursue.
Driven by Faith. Defined by Trust. Delivered with Excellence.
Ready to Work with Our Team?
Schedule a free consultation and let our accredited team review your claim with the experience and dedication your case deserves.