"As the saying goes, no Marine is left behind, and VLJ and their volunteers were one of the first American organizations to have found me and helped me not be left behind.”
Because how we do justice matters.
VLJ July 2024 Volunteer of the Month: Matt Jokajtys
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.
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.
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.
VLJ November 2023 Supporter of the Month: Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Newark
For Volunteer Lawyers for Justice’s November Supporter of the Month, we spotlight and celebrate Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Newark and its Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) program that provide much-needed funding for VLJ’s Veterans Legal Program (VLP). Through SSVF, Catholic Charities provides essential supportive services to veterans experiencing poverty and those at risk of homelessness.
PSEG Foundation recently continued its support of VLJ’s Veterans Legal Program with a renewed grant of $85,000
Newark, NJ – Volunteer Lawyers for Justice (VLJ) announces with deep gratitude that the PSEG Foundation recently continued its support of VLJ’s Veterans Legal Program with a renewed grant of $85,000. VLJ’s Veterans Legal Program helps veterans in New Jersey with certain civil legal issues, including criminal record expungement, driver’s license restoration, bankruptcy, consumer debt defense, eviction defense, child support modification, and estate planning.
VLJ November 2023 Volunteer of the Month: Natalie Dallavalle
In the world of corporate law, one may not always have the time to do pro bono. Yet, for Volunteer Lawyers for Justice’s November 2023 Volunteer of the Month, pro bono service to others is her lodestar. This month, VLJ recognizes Natalie Dallavalle, Associate Counsel - Litigation with PSEG, whose selfless service for those who served is a testament to the power and impact compassionate people can have when they undertake pro bono. Natalie earned her bachelor’s degree in English and Political Science from The College of New Jersey and her Juris Doctor from Seton Hall University School of Law; Natalie is also a member of the New Jersey Women Lawyers Association.
As part of PSEG’s litigation group, Natalie represents the company on complex commercial and environmental matters, both individually and with outside counsel. Her work extends to environmental concerns, property, and contract disputes. She's the ultimate fixer, striving to ensure the lights stay on and the gas keeps flowing for the countless community members who rely on PSEG's services.
The Power of Pro Bono - “Thomas"
“Thomas”, a veteran, came to Volunteer Lawyers for Justice for help resolving a child custody matter. Adding to the situation, Thomas lived in Florida and was seeking assistance with his parental visitation and communications rights; Thomas’s ex-spouse took his child from Florida to New Jersey and refused to allow Thomas to see or visit his child. Indeed, when Thomas would travel from Florida to New Jersey to visit his child, Thomas’s ex-spouse would not let him.
Through determination, powered by technology and ingenuity, VLJ's Alexandra Bravo helped Thomas successfully obtain an order in New Jersey granting Thomas the right to speak with his child every other day, with firm plans for Thomas to visit and see his child for the first time in several years.
The Power of Pro Bono - “Jordan"
"Jordan", a veteran living in Monmouth County, contacted Volunteer Lawyers for Justice (VLJ) earlier this year when her family was facing eviction. Jordan’s landlord had made a series of thinly veiled racist comments and false claims in an attempt to force Jordan and her family to leave the apartment. Ultimately, the landlord sued Jordan for alleged nonpayment of rent as well as several other baseless claims, including multiple allegations of damage to the premises and lease violations. In fact, it was the landlord’s refusal to properly maintain the premises that resulted in damage, which Jordan had been insisting he rectify.
A VLJ staff attorney accepted Jordan’s case for full representation and, at a trial that lasted several days, meticulously countered the landlord’s extensive allegations.
The Power of Pro Bono - “Greg"
“Greg”* is a veteran who was referred by Community Hope SSVF to Volunteer Lawyers for Justice (VLJ) for assistance with his debt relief matter. At the time of his referral to VLJ, Greg was living in a small shack with no running water or electricity, forcing Greg to depend on his “neighbors” for electricity via an extension cord.
At one point, Greg’s neighbors put their PSEG bill in his name, with Greg’s consent, but failed to make multiple payments. This resulted in a PSEG bill of $2,940.64 in Greg’s name that was ultimately sent to collections. This unpaid bill was the only thing preventing Greg from obtaining much needed housing assistance, thus forcing him to remain unsuitably housed.