“Access to justice means ensuring that people who have legal issues are not delayed or denied simply because they do not have ample financial resources. Justice is for all. We recite that in schools every day across this country, but it cannot be just words. Those of us with the skills to help should put that creed into action as often as we can.”
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.
In her role at Panasonic, Afiya leads both the corporate governance and litigation teams, managing a wide range of matters from Board of Directors meetings to product liability claims. Outside of her professional responsibilities, she is deeply involved in her community, serving on the Judiciary Committee of the Association of the Bar of the City of New York, the Board of Trustees of the Newark Museum of Art, and mentoring aspiring legal professionals through the Legal Mentor Network and Columbia Law School’s alumni program; she also serves as Executive Sponsor of Panasonic’s BLAAC (Black, Latino, African-America, Caribbean) Employee Network. As she is able, Afiya supports the ACLU of Louisiana’s Justice Lab program, which is a litigation and storytelling program that challenges racially discriminatory policing practices. With her impressive professional background comes an impressive educational one: Afiya is a graduate of Columbia University and Columbia Law School.
Afiya first became involved with VLJ through Panasonic’s Legal Department, seeing her support VLJ’s Divorce Program, South Ward Promise Neighborhood Program, and Veterans Legal Program. For Afiya, the few hours per year required for this commitment is a small investment that yields a tremendous impact. “I like the support from VLJ. Not every matter is in my wheelhouse, but VLJ has a clear set of guidelines and mentors at the ready, so I feel confident speaking to clients. It is also very gratifying to be able to answer someone’s question(s) right away and help them get to the right place. For many people, the issues and dollar amounts involved are not a big deal, but for the clients, it can be nights of lost sleep and panic. To be able to guide them to a solution to alleviate all that anxiety is fulfilling. And sometimes, just to be able to listen and let them get their story out is all they need.”
One of her most memorable cases involved working with a client on her will over the course of a year. Though the client’s assets were modest, Afiya recognized the emotional weight the task carried. “Every time we thought we were near the finish line, a new issue came up,” she recalls. “When we finally met face to face at VLJ's office and my client signed the will, it was a huge relief for both of us.”
Afiya’s dedication to pro bono is deeply personal. Reflecting on her own upbringing, she recalls the challenges her father faced in securing a divorce and custody of her and her sisters in the 1980s. “It took him years and years to save up for the legal fees,” she explains. “I often think how different things could have been if someone had taken his case pro bono. Ultimately, it’s paperwork. But it cost thousands of dollars that could have been used toward a down payment on a house or put into college savings accounts. Instead, it went to lawyers and court costs. It strikes me as an easy decision to have skills to be able to handle simple matters for people who really don’t have the means.”
When it comes to Afiya’s view of access to justice, it means “ensuring that people who have legal issues are not delayed or denied simply because they do not have ample financial resources. Justice is for all. We recite that in schools every day across this country, but it cannot be just words. Those of us with the skills to help should put that creed into action as often as we can.”
Thank you, Afiya, for your inspiring dedication to justice and enthusiastic embrace of pro bono!
Inspired by Afiya? Join VLJ’s incredible network of volunteers and use your legal skills to make a difference. Together, we can ensure access to justice across New Jersey. Find your why at www.vljnj.org/why-probono.
Connect with Afiya on LinkedIn