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VLJ October 2024 Defender of Justice: Yasmine Boto

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VLJ October 2024 Defender of Justice: Yasmine Boto

Meet Yasmine Boto, one of Volunteer Lawyers for Justice's (VLJ) dedicated staff and a familiar face who has been with the organization since 2022. Yasmine's journey with VLJ began as an intern for the ReLeSe (Reentry Legal Services) Program, Veterans Legal Program, and driver’s license restoration efforts during her 3L year at New York Law School. After graduating from law school, Yasmine joined VLJ as a Wilf Public Interest Fellow, expanding her work to the Tenancy Program and Children’s Representation Program. Now, Yasmine focuses her efforts on the ReLeSe Program, Divorce Program, and estate planning for veterans.

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Volunteer Lawyers for Justice Hosts Annual Gala Honoring Preet Bharara, Catherine Weiss, and RBC Wealth Management

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Volunteer Lawyers for Justice Hosts Annual Gala Honoring Preet Bharara, Catherine Weiss, and RBC Wealth Management

Newark, NJ – Volunteer Lawyers for Justice (VLJ) proudly hosted its annual Arts & Eats for Justice Gala on October 8, 2024, in a celebration of the organization’s commitment to ensuring access to justice for people experiencing poverty across New Jersey. The event, held at The Park Savoy Estate, was a resounding success, raising $750,000 in support of VLJ’s mission and programs.

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Volunteer Lawyers for Justice's Jeff Stephens Interviewed by PIX11

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Volunteer Lawyers for Justice's Jeff Stephens Interviewed by PIX11

Newark, NJ — In response to recent efforts by the State of New Jersey to provide medical debt relief and protections to its residents, Volunteer Lawyers for Justice’s Jeff Stephens, Senior Staff Attorney and Program Lead for VLJ’s Debt Relief Legal Program, was interviewed on August 21 by PIX11 about the impact this relief has, especially for those communities most impacted by medical debt and those least likely to seek medical care because of the cost.

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Volunteer Lawyers for Justice Celebrates Michael A. Conforti, Recipient of the 2024 Distinguished New Lawyer Award from the New Jersey State Bar Association

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Volunteer Lawyers for Justice Celebrates Michael A. Conforti, Recipient of the 2024 Distinguished New Lawyer Award from the New Jersey State Bar Association

Newark, NJ — Volunteer Lawyers for Justice (VLJ) is proud to announce that Michael A. Conforti, an associate at Gibbons P.C. in the firm’s Business & Commercial Litigation Group and a dedicated volunteer with VLJ, has been honored with the 2024 Distinguished New Lawyer Award by the New Jersey State Bar Association (NJSBA). This prestigious award recognizes the exceptional pro bono contributions and leadership of lawyers who have been in practice for 10 years or less.

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VLJ August 2024 Defender of Justice: Margo Katz Rosenberg

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VLJ August 2024 Defender of Justice: Margo Katz Rosenberg

For our August 2024 Defender of Justice, Volunteer Lawyers for Justice is thrilled to spotlight Margo Katz Rosenberg, a staff attorney whose dedication and passion are inspirational. Margo's journey with VLJ began in October 2021 as a volunteer attorney, and recognizing her immense potential and commitment, she quickly transitioned to a staff attorney role in the Tenancy Program in January 2022. Almost three years later, her impact continues to grow. As she aptly puts it, "Time flies when you're having fun!"

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New Summer 2024 Intern Spotlight: Debora Perez

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New Summer 2024 Intern Spotlight: Debora Perez

For the final installment of Volunteer Lawyers for Justice’s Summer 2024 intern spotlight series, we are thrilled to welcome Debora Perez to the team. Bringing excitement and energy with her, Debora will support VLJ’s Divorce Program, New Jersey Human Trafficking Survivors Legal Assistance Program, and Tenancy Program. A rising 3L at Cardozo School of Law, Debora earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Miami.

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New Summer 2024 Intern Spotlight: Caroline Sigler

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New Summer 2024 Intern Spotlight: Caroline Sigler

Continuing with our Summer 2024 new intern spotlight series, Volunteer Lawyers for Justice is elated to welcome Caroline Sigler. Caroline completed her undergraduate studies at Hunter College and is now pursuing her law degree at Rutgers Law School-Newark (class of 2026). During her summer internship Caroline is supporting VLJ’s Debt Relief Legal Program and Veterans Legal Program.

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New Summer 2024 Intern Spotlight: Yuki Kyu

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New Summer 2024 Intern Spotlight: Yuki Kyu

As summer kicks off, Volunteer Lawyers for Justice (VLJ) spotlights our three Summer 2024 interns. First up, Yuki Kyu. Yuki brings a unique blend of passion, experience, and creativity to VLJ’s Children’s Representation Program, ReLeSe (Reentry Legal Services) Program, and South Ward Promise Neighborhood Program.

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Prudential Financial Honored with the 2024 Pro Bono Publico Award by the American Bar Association

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Prudential Financial Honored with the 2024 Pro Bono Publico Award by the American Bar Association

NEWARK, NJ – Prudential Financial (Prudential) has been named a recipient of the American Bar Association’s 2024 Pro Bono Publico Award. The award “seeks to identify and honor individual lawyers and small and large law firms, government attorney offices, corporate law departments and other institutions in the legal profession that have enhanced the human dignity of others by improving or delivering volunteer legal services to our nation's poor and disadvantaged. These services are of critical importance to the increasing number of people in this country living in a state of poverty who need legal representation to improve their lives.” Prudential’s enthusiastic embrace of pro bono has set a “gold standard” for volunteerism and supporting communities that have been historically underrepresented and under-resourced, especially in Newark, New Jersey, where the company has been headquartered for nearly 150 years.

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VLJ June 2024 Defender of Justice: Eric W. Hughes

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VLJ June 2024 Defender of Justice: Eric W. Hughes

At Volunteer Lawyers for Justice (VLJ), stories of resilience, compassion, and commitment to justice abound. So much so VLJ never hesitates to share the voices and experiences that encompass the transformative power of pro bono. For VLJ’s June 2024 Defender of Justice, we pull the curtain back to spotlight one staff member who helps bring those stories to you: Eric W. Hughes.

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Cathy Keenan, VLJ's Executive Director, Interviewed by Comcast Newsmakers

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Cathy Keenan, VLJ's Executive Director, Interviewed by Comcast Newsmakers

Volunteer Lawyers for Justice Executive Director Cathy Keenan talks with Comcast Newsmakers host Candace Kelley about mobilizing private practice attorneys from across New Jersey to volunteer to support vulnerable populations and people who really need to have their voice amplified or heard in the legal system. Volunteer Lawyers for Justice Executive Director Cathy Keenan talks with Comcast Newsmakers host Candace Kelley about mobilizing private practice attorneys from across New Jersey to volunteer to support vulnerable populations and people who really need to have their voice amplified or heard in the legal system.

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Nukk-Freeman & Cerra, P.C. Named a 2024 NJBIZ Leaders in Law Pro Bono Honoree

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Nukk-Freeman & Cerra, P.C. Named a 2024 NJBIZ Leaders in Law Pro Bono Honoree

NEWARK, NJ – Nukk-Freeman & Cerra, P.C. (NFC), a leading employment law firm headquartered in New Jersey, has been recognized as a 2024 NJBIZ Leaders in Law-Pro Bono honoree. This prestigious accolade celebrates NFC's unwavering commitment to harnessing the power of pro bono to ensure access to justice for people experiencing poverty in New Jersey. A 100% women-owned firm, NFC has consistently demonstrated a deep-seated dedication to giving back to the community, and through their robust pro bono initiatives, NFC embodies the belief that access to justice is a right, not a privilege.

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Prudential Financial Receives the Bernard A. Kuttner Pro Bono Service Award from the Essex County Bar Association

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Prudential Financial Receives the Bernard A. Kuttner Pro Bono Service Award from the Essex County Bar Association

NEWARK, NJ – Prudential Financial has been named the recipient of the Bernard A. Kuttner Pro Bono Service Award by the Essex County Bar Association. The award is a distinguished honor bestowed upon individuals, law firms, legal departments, and institutions within the legal profession for their outstanding contributions to providing volunteer legal services in Essex County. Since 2010, Prudential’s Law, Compliance, Business Ethics and External Affairs (LCBE) Voluntary Pro Bono Committee has been committed to helping some of the most vulnerable populations in the state, especially in the Essex County, NJ area, where the company has been headquartered for 148 years.

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VLJ Spring 2024 Intern Spotlight: Jonathan Nendze

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VLJ Spring 2024 Intern Spotlight: Jonathan Nendze

Every semester Volunteer Lawyers for Justice is incredibly fortunate to welcome new interns to the team—interns who bring compassion, skill, and a zeal for social justice—and this semester is no different. Joining VLJ’s Tenancy Program for the Spring 2024 semester is Jonathan (“Jon”) Nendze.

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American College of Bankruptcy Foundation Awards $12,500 Grant to Volunteer Lawyers for Justice to Support Its Debt Relief Legal Program

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American College of Bankruptcy Foundation Awards $12,500 Grant to Volunteer Lawyers for Justice to Support Its Debt Relief Legal Program

Newark, NJ – Volunteer Lawyers for Justice (VLJ), a nonprofit civil legal services organization based in Newark, New Jersey, is thrilled to announce the receipt of a $12,500 grant from the American College of Bankruptcy Foundation (ACBF) to further support VLJ's Debt Relief Legal Program (DRLP). Originally serving Essex County and Newark, the DRLP expanded statewide in response to the unmet civil legal needs exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. This expansion, aided by the ACBF grant, includes virtual legal help across New Jersey on bankruptcy, ensuring geography is not a barrier to justice.  

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VLJ February 2024 Defender of Justice: Adaneka Witter Judge

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VLJ February 2024 Defender of Justice: Adaneka Witter Judge

“Dedicate yourself to what gives your life true meaning and purpose; make a positive difference in someone's life.” — Roy T. Bennett

If ever there is someone who embodies this quote and more, it is Volunteer Lawyers for Justice’s February 2024 Defender of Justice, Adaneka Witter Judge. Dedicated to her community, to her dreams, and to a better tomorrow, Adaneka is proof you don’t have to go very far to find the best among us.

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Volunteer Lawyers for Justice Receives $1,000,000 Gift to Launch Endowment to Ensure Access to Justice

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Volunteer Lawyers for Justice Receives $1,000,000 Gift to Launch Endowment to Ensure Access to Justice

Newark, NJ — Volunteer Lawyers for Justice (VLJ) is ecstatic to announce that David J. Bershad and Mindy A. Cohen have pledged a $1,000,000 gift in support of its mission to ensure access to justice for people experiencing poverty. David and Mindy’s generous contribution will enable VLJ to create an endowment, which will ensure the longevity of the organization and the sustainability of its finances in the wake of unforeseen circumstances.

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A Look Back, A Step Forward

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Dear Friends,

As we usher in a new year, I find myself reflecting on the challenges and triumphs of 2023. While our clients faced hurdles from increased living costs, changes to judicial processes, and delays by government agencies, our staff, volunteers, and donors stood up for justice. I am grateful to share some of the remarkable strides we made together last year.