FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT
Augustine Ahiabor
Bershad Communications Fellow
Volunteer Lawyers for Justice
(973) 233-5724
Email: aahiabor@vljnj.org
Cathy Keenan
Executive Director
Volunteer Lawyers for Justice
(973) 645-1951, ext.101
Email: ckeenan@vljnj.org
Newark, NJ, June 25, 2021 — Volunteer Lawyers for Justice (VLJ) is pleased to share that on June 23rd, the organization held its annual Summer Soiree. After shifting to a completely virtual service model last year, the Summer Soiree was VLJ’s first in-person event since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic. Over 100 attorneys and friends gathered to celebrate VLJ’s work to provide free legal services to those in need and to raise over $35,000 for the organization.
Hosted by the Generation Now Committee, VLJ’s young professionals board, the event featured speeches from VLJ’s Executive Director Cathy Keenan and sponsor Stacey Slater of Pro Bono Strategies. Stefanie, a former VLJ client, also shared her story: Her neurodivergent son’s needs were not being met in a virtual setting, and he was falling behind in school. VLJ took her case and connected her with volunteer attorney Robyn Wapner, who donated over 120 hours to help Stefanie and reach a favorable outcome for her son. Stefanie encouraged the attorneys present to volunteer with VLJ, saying, “I do hope that many of you join VLJ’s notable mission and vision; it really is a life changing organization.”
Michael Griffinger, an Emeritus Board Member at VLJ and Partner at Gibbons, P.C. hosted the organization at the Mountain Ridge Country Club in West Caldwell. VLJ’s Development Director Jaclyn Kramer says, “We are so grateful to Michael for his years of dedicated commitment to VLJ. Not only did he help co-found the organization 20 years ago, but he has been an ardent supporter of legal aid and VLJ since – donating his time, talent, and treasure to ensure that our organization can help as many people as possible.”
VLJ gives special thanks to our title sponsor, Pro Bono Strategies; our underwriters David Bershad and Michael Griffinger; and our sponsors: AT&T; Counsel Press; Duane Morris; George Holland; McCarter & English; Peapack-Gladstone Bank; Price, Meese, Shulman & D’Arminio; Prudential, RBC Wealth Management, and Veritext.
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About Volunteer Lawyers for Justice
VLJ is an award-winning, comprehensive legal services program based in Newark, NJ, with a statewide reach. VLJ's mission is to improve the lives of economically disadvantaged and at-risk adults, children, and families in New Jersey by empowering them with the tools, advice, and pro bono representation to obtain fair and equal treatment within the legal system. The Newark-based organization ensures fair access to the legal system through partnerships with corporations and hundreds of volunteer attorneys. Each year, VLJ’s work impacts more than 3,600 people—including veterans, children, tenants, families, and victims of human trafficking—through 10 pro bono programs. To learn more, please visit www.vljnj.org.