FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT
Jaclyn Kramer
Development Director
Volunteer Lawyers for Justice
(973) 755-4120
Email: jkramer@vljnj.org
Cathy Keenan
Executive Director
Volunteer Lawyers for Justice
(973) 645-1951, ext.101
Email: ckeenan@vljnj.org
Newark, NJ – March 2, 2021 – Volunteer Lawyers for Justice (VLJ) is excited to announce the creation of the Bershad Communications Fellowship. Funded through the generosity of long-time Board Member David Bershad and his wife, Mindy Cohen, the fellowship will enable VLJ to enhance its public profile as the organization celebrates its 20th year anniversary.
The Bershad Communications Fellowship will begin as a two-year position for a marketing professional who will lead VLJ’s communications and press efforts. The first position of its kind at VLJ, the Bershad Fellow will have lofty goals to accomplish tied to the recently-completed three-year strategic plan for 2021-2023.
“David Bershad and Mindy Cohen are long-time supporters of VLJ and our efforts to ensure that low-income people across New Jersey have access to legal justice. But a gift of this magnitude will be transformative for our organization. With the addition of the Bershad Communications Fellow, VLJ will be able to raise its communication efforts to clients, volunteers, and supporters to a new level. We are beyond thrilled for David’s and Mindy’s vision and philanthropy,” says Executive Director Cathy Keenan.
David Bershad says, “VLJ has been doing wonderful things for years and most of it has been under the radar. So I am excited and delighted that VLJ is going to be able to bring its activities and successes to a wider public audience.”
VLJ is grateful to David and Mindy for their visionary leadership. The organization expects to hire the fellow in March.
About Volunteer Lawyers for Justice
VLJ is an award-winning, comprehensive legal services program based in Newark, NJ, with a statewide reach. VLJ's mission is to improve the lives of economically disadvantaged and at-risk adults, children, and families in New Jersey by empowering them with the tools, advice, and pro bono representation to obtain fair and equal treatment within the legal system. The Newark-based organization ensures fair access to the legal system through partnerships with corporations and hundreds of volunteer attorneys. Each year, VLJ’s work impacts more than 3,000 people—including veterans, children, tenants, families, and victims of human trafficking—through 10 pro bono programs. To learn more, please visit www.vljnj.org.