Margo Katz Rosenberg
"I feel honored to be a part of such a special organization where we all look out for each other and for our clients. Our colleagues and supervisors truly care about each and every employee and VLJ is a very unique and special place to work. Our clients can't afford legal services and without our help they would likely not know what to do. We are all lucky that we can assist the clients whom we are connected with, and I'm so glad that our organization exists so that our clients can access the help that they need and deserve.”
Defender of Justice: Margo Katz Rosenberg, A Champion for Tenants' Rights
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!"
Margo is at the forefront of VLJ’s weekly Tenancy Advisory Clinic, a crucial initiative providing tenants with legal help on eviction matters. This clinic not only benefits tenants, it also offers a platform for attorneys, law students, translators, and other volunteers to contribute meaningfully to ensuring access to justice for people experiencing poverty. Margo’s leadership ensures volunteers are well-trained and supported, meaning clients benefit from timely and informed legal advice. Beyond the clinic, Margo oversees the Tenancy Program’s volunteer recruitment and retention efforts, ever increasing the pool of pro bono superheroes.
Outside of VLJ, Margo is an adjunct professor at Rutgers Law School, teaching Residential Landlord-Tenant Housing Law. Her passion for justice is evident as she raises up the next generation of lawyers by providing a compassionate environment where students feel comfortable learning and are inspired to help those in need. Margo’s passion is quite infectious, with former students of hers now volunteering at VLJ, paying it forward one tenant at a time.
If that weren’t enough, Margo is generous with her time and talent across New Jersey and beyond: she is part of the Alumni Ambassador Program at the University of Pennsylvania, meeting with prospective students, and recently, Margo was asked to join the Penn Athletics mentorship program, where alumni athletes mentor a current student-athlete (Margo was on the varsity fencing team at Penn). Margo is also an active member of the New Jersey State Bar Association. Her impressive academic background includes graduating magna cum laude from the University of Pennsylvania in 2000 and earning her law degree from Fordham University School of Law in 2006.
For Margo, the people at VLJ make all the difference. "I feel honored to be a part of such a special organization where we all look out for each other and for our clients. Our colleagues and supervisors truly care about each and every employee and VLJ is a very unique and special place to work. Our clients can't afford legal services and without our help they would likely not know what to do. We are all lucky that we can assist the clients whom we are connected with, and I'm so glad that our organization exists so that our clients can access the help that they need and deserve.”
That help has been evident throughout Margo’s tenure at VLJ. One of Margo’s early cases involved a client living in a trailer home facing eviction due to non-payment of rent. Through diligent research and negotiation, Margo secured an additional three weeks for him to move, a significant improvement from the few days he initially had. This compassionate approach ensured the client could relocate in a dignified manner, a hallmark of how Margo centers clients in everything she does. Another compelling story of Margo’s advocacy involved a tenant struggling to pay rent due to the pandemic. Margo secured rental assistance for the client and negotiated with the landlord, ultimately getting the case dismissed. The tenant then remained in her home with her children and newborn baby, demonstrating once again how compassion and dedication can translate into stability and security.
For Margo, her biggest personal accomplishment at VLJ is her leadership in launching the new tenancy clinic, which has already made a significant impact for community members in Essex County facing eviction. Setting a proud example for her coworkers, Margo has learned to balance her passion for advocacy with personal well-being, enabling her to continue providing strong support for clients while maintaining her own strength and resilience.
When she’s not fighting for tenants’ rights and housing stability, Margo enjoys spending time with her family and their three dogs, traveling, going for walks, biking, beach days, and making chocolate flowers and arrangements. Margo’s dedication to VLJ and our mission is truly inspiring. Her work is life-changing, not just for the clients she helps but for the entire VLJ community. We are incredibly grateful to have her on our team—exuding enthusiasm, kindness, and “teamwork makes the dream work” energy.
Thank you, Margo, for your unwavering commitment to realizing a kinder and more just New Jersey!
Connect with Margo on LinkedIn