Volunteer Lawyers for Justice Celebrates Michael A. Conforti, Recipient of the 2024 Distinguished New Lawyer Award from the New Jersey State Bar Association
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 14, 2024
CONTACT
Eric W. Hughes
Bershad Director of Communications
Volunteer Lawyers for Justice
(973) 233-5724
ehughes@vljnj.org
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.
Michael began his pro bono journey with VLJ in 2015 as an intern, quickly becoming a volunteer attorney not long after he was admitted to practice law in 2018. At the time of his award nomination, Michael helped 61 VLJ clients. Over the last five years, Michael has generously donated 180 hours of pro bono with VLJ, valued at nearly $45,000. Michael’s pro bono expertise includes issues impacting the reentry population, primarily criminal record expungement, with some driver’s license restoration and child support modification. His extensive, dedicated efforts using the power of pro bono to help community members with second chances exemplifies the spirit of service that the Distinguished New Lawyer Award seeks to honor.
"Michael may be an early-career lawyer, but he does not shy away from defending his clients and demonstrates skill, dedication, and commitment to fighting vigorously for what is right,” remarked Karen Robinson, Managing Attorney of VLJ’s ReLeSe (Reentry Legal Services) Program. “He does not say no. He is the ideal volunteer who is always willing to go above and beyond to advance racial, social, and economic justice. His passion is inspiring, and it’s a privilege to work alongside him as he navigates complex litigation. Indeed, Michael is invaluable to the pro bono legal community, and his winning the 2024 NJSBA Distinguished New Lawyer Award is a well-deserved testament to his enthusiastic drive to ensure justice is decided on the merits and not one's ability to afford it."
VLJ’s tagline reads “Taking Cases. Changing Lives.”, and Michael’s steadfast commitment to pro bono and the compassionate way he helps clients make all the difference. As one of his previous clients said, “It was a long, long wait from start to finish, but we got through it together. Michael would always encourage me and he would email and call back immediately with updates. During the pandemic, Michael would call and check in, even if there was not much going on with my case.
When my expungement order was granted I cried and Michael told me to go out and celebrate. Michael was very patient and encouraging throughout the entire process. Even when I cried, he would always tell me to take my time. He always believed in me. People who don’t believe in you do not go to the extent Michael did. It was not just a job for him. He showed compassion and grace.”
Fortunately for New Jersey, Michael’s generosity is not limited to VLJ. He also volunteers with Kids in Need of Defense (KIND). Deemed an “exceptional volunteer” by his KIND colleague, Michael provides pro bono representation to unaccompanied immigrant and refugee children in the United States.
Volunteer Lawyers for Justice extends its heartfelt congratulations to Michael on this remarkable achievement. We are honored and immensely grateful to have him as part of our volunteer team and look forward to many more years of partnering in pro bono. Michael, along with the other pro bono award honorees, will be recognized at the NJSBA’s Pro Bono Awards Reception on Tues., October 29 from 6:00 PM – 8:30 PM at the New Jersey Law Center. Tickets can be found at njsba.com/event/pro-bono-awards-reception/.
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About Volunteer Lawyers for Justice (VLJ)
VLJ is an award-winning, comprehensive nonprofit legal services program based in Newark, NJ, with a statewide reach. VLJ's mission is to ensure access to justice for people experiencing poverty. The Newark-based organization ensures fair access to the legal system through partnerships with corporations and hundreds of volunteer attorneys. In 2023, VLJ’s work impacted over 4,200 people—including 1,644 children—and its volunteer attorneys donated nearly $2 million in free legal services.