News & Updates
Get to know Daniela Geraldo, Volunteer Lawyers for Justice’s December 2024 Defender of Justice. Daniela, a dedicated staff attorney on VLJ’s Tenancy Program, has been championing access to justice with VLJ since October 2022. Daniela’s passion for empowering clients is evident in every aspect of her work.
Newark, NJ – As economic challenges continue to strain families across New Jersey, Volunteer Lawyers for Justice (VLJ) remains committed to aiding residents facing significant financial challenges. Thanks to a recent grant award of $12,500 from the American College of Bankruptcy Foundation (Foundation), VLJ’s Debt Relief Legal Program (DRLP) will continue providing critical legal assistance to New Jerseyans experiencing poverty who are struggling with consumer debt issues, such as bankruptcy, medical bills, and lawsuits from creditors.
Christine Gaddis, an associate in the Intellectual Property Group at Gibbons P.C., is Volunteer Lawyers for Justice’s (VLJ) December 2024 Volunteer of the Month. Christine’s enthusiastic embrace of pro bono has made a significant impact on VLJ’s clients, especially those navigating New Jersey’s complicated expungement process. Christine is a graduate of Villanova University and Seton Hall Law, and she is a member of the John C. Lifland Inn of Court and the Association of the Federal Bar of New Jersey.
Dorian Bernard remembers his family's old apartment in Irvington, New Jersey, fondly.
The neighborhood was a quiet and close-knit one where he would frequently run into friends he knew from high school when he came back to visit. Growing up there with his brothers, he remembers awards and other keepsakes his mother and father used to display, giving it an atmosphere that was charming, though a little dated, according to Bernard.
Newark, NJ — Volunteer Lawyers for Justice (VLJ) is thrilled to announce that it has successfully met the $500,000 match goal for its Legacy of Justice Endowment Campaign. This achievement was made possible through the generous support of 43 donors who collectively contributed $519,750 to the campaign, surpassing the match goal.
In this season of gratitude and serving those who served, Stephen Kunen, Senior Corporate Counsel at Palo Alto Networks, is proudly recognized as Volunteer Lawyers for Justice’s November 2024 Volunteer of the Month. Stephen earned a bachelor’s degree in neuroscience and behavior from Columbia University and a Juris Doctor from Emory Law School, and at Palo Alto Networks, Stephen is a corporate transactions attorney specializing in cybersecurity.
Newark, NJ — Volunteer Lawyers for Justice (VLJ) is excited to announce two recent staff promotions: Alexandra Bravo has been promoted to senior staff attorney and Allison Nolan has been promoted to managing attorney while joining VLJ’s leadership team.
On November 21, 2024, Volunteer Lawyers for Justice’s (VLJ) Executive Director Cathy Keenan was interviewed by Michael Hill on Newark Today. During her interview, Cathy introduced VLJ to Newark Today listeners and the organization’s efforts to ensure access to justice for people experiencing poverty.
In a newly released report, Unjustified Residential Evictions in New Jersey, a coalition of tenant advocates including the Housing Justice Project of the Center for Social Justice at Seton Hall Law School, the Lowenstein Center for the Public Interest at Lowenstein Sandler, Volunteer Lawyers for Justice, and the Housing Justice Program at Rutgers Law School, urges the New Jersey courts to improve their process for reviewing residential eviction complaints. The report is based on data collected and analyzed by the coalition that suggests that eviction judgments or defaults are entered against as many as 29,000 tenant families each year in cases where the court lacks jurisdiction.
Newark, NJ — Volunteer Lawyers for Justice (VLJ) announces that Amy Woltman joined its Board of Trustees in September. Amy, Vice President & Chief Legal Officer, Retirement Strategies, joined Prudential Financial in December 2013. She is a veteran of the U.S. Army, having served four years as a 98G, Voice Interceptor (Arabic), including a six-month deployment to Kosovo. Amy also previously served as President of VETNET, Prudential’s business resource group focused on raising veterans’ issues as they relate to the workplace and representing Prudential within the veteran community.
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.
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.
This month, Volunteer Lawyers for Justice (VLJ) proudly recognizes Afiya Jordan, Associate General Counsel at Panasonic Corporation of North America, as our September 2024 Volunteer of the Month. Afiya’s commitment to serving the community and using her legal talent for the greater good exemplifies the spirit of volunteerism that makes VLJ’s work not just possible, but powerful.
NEWARK, NJ — Volunteer Lawyers for Justice (VLJ) is proud to announce the election of two current trustees to the executive leadership team of its Board of Trustees: Sneha Desai as Vice Chair and Kaitlyn E. Stone as Secretary. The elections were made at VLJ’s May 21st board meeting.
At Lowenstein Sandler LLP, Michael Campolongo (“Mike”) is a force in the Emerging Companies & Venture Capital group, skillfully drafting and prosecuting patent applications for a wide range of technologies. Yet, it’s Mike’s dedication to using his legal talent to ensure access to justice for people experiencing poverty that has earned him the title of Volunteer Lawyers for Justice’s (VLJ) August 2024 Volunteer of the Month.
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.
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.
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!"
Volunteer Lawyers for Justice’s July 2024 Volunteer of the Month is a familiar face, both in the Veterans Legal Program and as our December 2018 Volunteer of the Month. Celebrating a volunteer whose dedication to serving veterans sets a high bar, VLJ recognizes Matt Jokajtys as this month’s Volunteer of the Month.
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.
