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PSEG Foundation Supports VLJ’s Veterans Legal Program with $85,000 Grant to Help Veterans with Their Unmet Civil Legal Needs

PSEG Foundation Supports VLJ’s Veterans Legal Program with $85,000 Grant to Help Veterans with Their Unmet Civil Legal Needs

Newark, NJ – Volunteer Lawyers for Justice (VLJ) announces with gratitude and appreciation that the PSEG Foundation recently awarded VLJ a grant of $85,000 to support its Veterans Legal Program. VLJ’s Veterans Legal Program helps New Jersey Veterans 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 October 2022 Defender of Justice Tracy Griffinger Nelson

VLJ’s October 2022 Defender of Justice is Tracy Griffinger Nelson, VLJ’s Director of Finance. Tracy started volunteering at Volunteer Lawyers for Justice in 2008 after she and her partner sold their organic baking company to a distributor. Tracy was looking for meaningful work when her cousin Michael Griffinger, a renowned attorney at Gibbons P.C., told her, “I have the place for you!”

Two VLJ Staff Attorneys Chosen as New Jersey Housing Justice Corps Fellows

Two VLJ Staff Attorneys Chosen as New Jersey Housing Justice Corps Fellows

Following up on last month’s official start of the New Jersey Housing Justice Corps fellowship program, Volunteer Lawyers for Justice (VLJ) is excited to shine a spotlight on two familiar faces who are participating in the fellowship program: Nina DePalma, Esq. and Margo Katz Rosenberg, Esq.

VLJ Honors Audible, Joseph T. Boccassini, and Richmond Rabinowitz at its Annual Arts & Eats for Justice Gala

VLJ Honors Audible, Joseph T. Boccassini, and Richmond Rabinowitz at its Annual Arts & Eats for Justice Gala

Newark, NJ – Set against the beautiful backdrop of the Mountain Ridge Country Club on an ideal New Jersey fall evening, Volunteer Lawyers for Justice (VLJ) returned in person, after an extended pause due to the COVID-19 pandemic, to its annual Arts & Eats for Justice gala for a night of community, celebration, and justice. The Arts & Eats for Justice gala is not only VLJ’s largest fundraising event, it is also its largest celebration of those whose time and talent raise the bar on ensuring access to justice for people experiencing poverty. For this year’s gala, VLJ was particularly proud to honor Audible (Community Vision Award), Joseph T. Boccassini, Esq. (Partner in Justice Award), and Richmond Rabinowitz (Champion of Justice Award).

VLJ August 2022 Defender of Justice - Adelina Herrarte

VLJ August 2022 Defender of Justice - Adelina Herrarte

VLJ’s August 2022 Defender of Justice is Adelina Herrarte, Esq. A recent addition to the VLJ family, Adelina joined VLJ in late April 2022 and hit the ground running as the Senior Staff Attorney for the Debt Relief Legal Program (DRLP) and Divorce Program. In just over four months Adelina has played an instrumental role overseeing VLJ’s consumer debt, bankruptcy, and divorce services while also expanding VLJ’s reach by providing legal help in English and Spanish. For those who know Adelina, none of this should come as a surprise as she is a lifelong public interest attorney with experience at various legal services organizations. Adelina has been aptly described as a great leader and mentor for both programs. Adelina completed both undergrad and law school studies in New York City. In 2001 Adelina earned her bachelor’s degree from New York University, and in 2004 she received a Juris Doctor from the City University of New York School of Law.

VLJ Summer 2022 Intern Spotlight - Ryan Campbell

VLJ Summer 2022 Intern Spotlight - Ryan Campbell

Rounding out the “Fantastic Four” Summer 2022 interns, VLJ shines a spotlight on intern Ryan Campbell. Ryan attended Fordham University for undergrad where he double majored in Political Science and Philosophy with a minor in Peace & Justice studies. Putting his undergraduate education and experience to good use, Ryan held roles in law and politics since graduating. Currently, Ryan is a rising 2L at Rutgers Law-Camden. During his internship Ryan supports VLJ’s Tenancy Program.

VLJ Summer 2022 Intern Spotlight - Mariah Agbonkpolo

VLJ Summer 2022 Intern Spotlight - Mariah Agbonkpolo

VLJ is proud to spotlight Summer 2022 intern Mariah Agbonkpolo. Mariah graduated with a bachelors in history from the University at Buffalo in 2020, and she is a rising 2L at Fordham University School of Law. As part of her summer internship, Mariah works in VLJ’s Human trafficking, Children’s Representation, and South Ward Promise Neighborhood Programs.

VLJ Summer 2022 Intern Spotlight - Melanie Zelikovsky

VLJ Summer 2022 Intern Spotlight - Melanie Zelikovsky

VLJ proudly spotlights Summer 2022 intern Melanie Zelikovsky. Melanie is a rising 2L at Rutgers Law - Newark (class of 2024); She received her B.A. in Classics with honors from NYU in 2013 and a M.A. in Classical Archaeology from the University of Arizona in 2016. During her time at VLJ Melanie supports the Debt Relief Legal and Divorce Programs.

Attorneys Melissa Wernick and Catherine Trinkle Join VLJ’s Board of Trustees

Attorneys Melissa Wernick and Catherine Trinkle Join VLJ’s Board of Trustees

Newark, NJ – Volunteer Lawyers for Justice (VLJ) is pleased to announce that Melissa F. Wernick, Esq. of Millburn and Catherine A. Trinkle, Esq. of Morristown recently joined its Board of Trustees. Melissa is a Member of Chiesa Shahinian & Giantomasi PC (CSG Law) based in West Orange, and Catherine is Deputy General Counsel, Regulatory & Environmental Law, and Head of Government Affairs at BASF Corporation, based in Florham Park.

NEW FEATURE: VLJ Defender of Justice

VLJ is proud to recognize Abigail Oliver as our next Defender of Justice! Abigail joined VLJ as a legal assistant in the thick of the pandemic in 2020, and despite the challenges of learning a new job remotely, she has become an integral member of VLJ’s team. Abigail works on VLJ’s Tenancy, Children’s Representation, and South Ward Promise Neighborhood Programs and previously worked on Estate Planning.

Governor Signs Vacatur Expansion Bill to Help Survivors of Human Trafficking

Newark, NJ – January 12, 2022 – As New Jersey celebrates National Human Trafficking Prevention and Awareness Month, Governor Murphy signed a new law that expands access to vacatur for survivors of human trafficking. The bill, A5322, will help survivors of human trafficking build new lives by expanding the existing list of crimes that can be cleared from their records beyond just prostitution convictions. This will result in real and immediate relief for survivors of both sex and labor trafficking who have been unfairly stigmatized as a result of their convictions. The bill also streamlines the process for survivors pursuing this relief and ensures enhanced privacy protections of the petitions filed in court.

An Institution of Justice: VLJ Honors Loretta Lynch, Merck, and Karen Sacks at 20 Year Anniversary Celebration

On October 20th, 600 supporters attended the virtual Arts & Eats for Justice gala. The event raised $700,000 to support our mission of ensuring access to justice for people experiencing poverty. Initially created as a subcommittee of the Legal Services of Essex County, VLJ has grown into a pro bono powerhouse impacting the lives of tens of thousands of New Jersey’s most vulnerable residents. Three honorees were recognized for their contributions to the cause of justice: former US Attorney General Loretta E. Lynch, Merck & Co., Inc., and Karen Sacks, VLJ’s Founding Executive Director.

A Message from Cathy Keenan: The Mission of Volunteer Lawyers for Justice Is...

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Hello friends,

October is a big month for VLJ. On October 20th, we’ll gather virtually to celebrate VLJ’s 20th anniversary.The night will feature an inspirational spoken word performance from Sheika ‘Purple’ Norris, director of the NJPAC’s Hip Hop Education Program. We’ll also view a powerful testimonial from Michael –a VLJ client who cleared crushing medical debt by working with our bankruptcy program. Finally, we’ll honor three giants in the legal field: Karen Sacks, Founding Executive Director of VLJ, Merck & Co., and Former US Attorney General, Loretta Lynch. Surely this will be a night that causes our collective passion for justice to burn brighter. Be sure to purchase your tickets.

The following week is National Pro Bono Week. Legal organizations across the county will draw attention to the need for pro bono help and will celebrate those who volunteer their time. We have a lot planned, including timely trainings to prepare volunteers to address the growing list of legal issues stemming from the pandemic. We are also asking the greater VLJ community to help us answer this question: “Justice Is___”

We’d like you to tell us what justice means to you, and how pro bono work helps to achieve that justice.  Please join us by sending a photo, video, or email answering the prompt “Justice is___” to aahiabor@vljnj.org. Check out our Pro Bono Week activities here.

With a focus on justice, VLJ’s Board of Trustees and staff finalized a new mission statement!

VLJ mission statement:

To ensure access to justice for people experiencing poverty

As you can imagine, at an organization comprised mostly of lawyers, we had some spirited debates about the essence of VLJ’s work and purpose. We aligned upon an ambitious mission that doesn’t merely set out to provide free legal services, but strives to ensure justice is accessible to all .

The words “people experiencing poverty” were carefully chosen to emphasize our enduring belief in the agency our clients possess. We believe that poverty can and should be transitory. We believe that socioeconomic status should not limit one’s access to justice. We believe that our work has a  profound impact on individuals, families, communities, and generations. With this in mind, we fulfill our mission by mobilizing volunteers and staff to address critical legal needs and advance racial, social, and economic justice in New Jersey.

I hope October’s activities and the revamped statement of our mission will inspire you to ask not only what justice means to you, but what you can do to help further justice in New Jersey.

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New Jersey Eviction Q&A Panel Discussion

NorthJersey.com is hosting a monthly housing video series to provide advice from a panel of tenant law experts on affordable housing issues. In this video VLJ staff attorney Allison Nolan and fellow panelists discuss the following:

  • What renters can still be evicted in New Jersey?

  • When do eviction protections end?

  • Where can tenants at risk of eviction get help

Click here to read the full NorthJersey.com article.

If you are at risk of being evicted, call (973) 943-4754 to apply for help.

To volunteer to represent tenants facing eviction, click here.