Matt Jokajtys
“My favorite moments are when I see the progress many of the clients make. We help them tackle issues at a clinic, and when they cross an item off their list I see how it makes a real impact on their lives.”
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.
As Managing Counsel – Environmental at PSEG, Matt advises and counsels the company’s lines of business in connection with all applicable environmental issues. Matt holds a Bachelor of Science from the University of Vermont, a Juris Doctor (cum laude) with Certificate in Environmental Law from Pace Law School, and a Master of Environmental Management from Yale University.
Thanks to PSEG’s foundational role in creating VLJ’s Veterans Legal Program, after joining PSEG in 2016, Matt discovered the Veterans Legal Clinic that PSEG co-hosted with VLJ. Because serving those who served is a cause close to Matt’s heart due to his family's history of service in the military, it makes sense that Matt has generously volunteered over 162 hours assisting on 79 legal matters for veterans such as child support, criminal record expungement, driver’s license restoration, estate planning, and eviction defense.
A long-time “pro bono pro,” Matt appreciates how the Veterans Legal Clinic accommodates even the busiest lawyers’ schedules. Matt makes time each month, rarely missing a chance to help veteran clients identify their unmet civil legal needs while determining how VLJ may be able to help. Of course, as a pro, Matt mentors newer clinic volunteers, helping them learn the ropes while increasing the pool of attorneys able to bridge the access to justice gap. Matt finds the experience rewarding and notes that clients always seem to appreciate the help, remarking, “My favorite moments are when I see the progress many of the clients make. We help them tackle issues at a clinic, and when they cross an item off their list I see how it makes a real impact on their lives.”
Indeed, Matt finds the legal clinic setting to be a perfect match for volunteers balancing their desire to give back with the demands of their full-time jobs:
“Pro bono does not have to be an indefinite commitment of time, nor does it require you appearing in court or filing legal motions (though it can be if you’d like). With VLJ’s help you can tailor your pro bono experience to your schedule and level of comfort. The Veterans Legal Clinic is a good general introduction to pro bono, but you can also take on specific clients or matters through VLJ if you prefer a more specific subject area.”
With nearly a decade of pro bono under his belt, Matt knows firsthand how important using one’s time and talent are to access to justice, finding that pro bono work is important to help ensure everyone can have access to justice—not just the well off. Matt emphasizes, “Sometimes it’s easy to miss how just sitting down with a client, walking through their questions or concerns, and developing an action plan can be incredibly useful for them. It can be difficult and intimidating for many clients to know where to start with legal issues if they have been struggling with health or financial issues or just reacclimating to civilian life.”
And hitting home why he continues to volunteer for veterans, Matt reflects on the significance of the Pledge of Allegiance, which ends with the phrase “one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.” As lawyers, Matt believes the profession is privileged to put the “justice for all” piece into practice by working with VLJ and clients experiencing poverty who may not otherwise see justice without some pro bono assistance.
As a prolific volunteer and eager champion of all things pro bono, Volunteer Lawyers for Justice celebrates Matt Jokajtys. His time, talent, compassion, and dedication give a whole new meaning to “Taking Cases. Changing Lives.”, and for that, we are incredibly grateful. Thank you, Matt!
Connect with Matt on LinkedIn