News & Updates
Every semester Volunteer Lawyers for Justice is incredibly fortunate to welcome new interns to the team—interns who bring compassion, skill, and a zeal for social justice—and this semester is no different. Joining VLJ’s Tenancy Program for the Spring 2024 semester is Jonathan (“Jon”) Nendze.
Newark, NJ – Volunteer Lawyers for Justice (VLJ), a nonprofit civil legal services organization based in Newark, New Jersey, is thrilled to announce the receipt of a $12,500 grant from the American College of Bankruptcy Foundation (ACBF) to further support VLJ's Debt Relief Legal Program (DRLP). Originally serving Essex County and Newark, the DRLP expanded statewide in response to the unmet civil legal needs exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. This expansion, aided by the ACBF grant, includes virtual legal help across New Jersey on bankruptcy, ensuring geography is not a barrier to justice.
“Dedicate yourself to what gives your life true meaning and purpose; make a positive difference in someone's life.” — Roy T. Bennett
If ever there is someone who embodies this quote and more, it is Volunteer Lawyers for Justice’s February 2024 Defender of Justice, Adaneka Witter Judge. Dedicated to her community, to her dreams, and to a better tomorrow, Adaneka is proof you don’t have to go very far to find the best among us.
Newark, NJ — Volunteer Lawyers for Justice (VLJ) is ecstatic to announce that David J. Bershad and Mindy A. Cohen have pledged a $1,000,000 gift in support of its mission to ensure access to justice for people experiencing poverty. David and Mindy’s generous contribution will enable VLJ to create an endowment, which will ensure the longevity of the organization and the sustainability of its finances in the wake of unforeseen circumstances.
Dear Friends,
As we usher in a new year, I find myself reflecting on the challenges and triumphs of 2023. While our clients faced hurdles from increased living costs, changes to judicial processes, and delays by government agencies, our staff, volunteers, and donors stood up for justice. I am grateful to share some of the remarkable strides we made together last year.
Dedicated to Justice. Determined to Ensure Justice. Defender of Justice.
Three phrases to describe one incredible person, so incredible it would be a disservice not to shine a much-deserved spotlight on her. For Volunteer Lawyers for Justice’s December 2023 Defender of Justice, we celebrate a pillar of our organization: Karen Robinson.
For Volunteer Lawyers for Justice’s November Supporter of the Month, we spotlight and celebrate Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Newark and its Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) program that provide much-needed funding for VLJ’s Veterans Legal Program (VLP). Through SSVF, Catholic Charities provides essential supportive services to veterans experiencing poverty and those at risk of homelessness.
Newark, NJ – Volunteer Lawyers for Justice (VLJ) announces with deep gratitude that the PSEG Foundation recently continued its support of VLJ’s Veterans Legal Program with a renewed grant of $85,000. VLJ’s Veterans Legal Program helps veterans in New Jersey 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.
At Volunteer Lawyers for Justice (VLJ), we're not just an organization; we're a team of individuals committed to making New Jersey a better place to live and work. Among our remarkable team, there's one standout worthy of being VLJ’s October 2023 Defender of Justice: Deja Kemp-Salliey. Deja joined VLJ this March as our newest Development Associate, and in such a short period of time she has made her mark.
The New Jersey Office of the Public Defender today announced that it filed a class action lawsuit against the New Jersey State Police to require it to stop unlawfully disclosing the criminal records of tens of thousands of individuals in violation of their court-ordered expungements. New Jersey has been on the forefront of expanding opportunities for people to expunge their criminal records, and the courts have ordered the records of thousands of New Jerseyans expunged. Once an expungement is granted, the New Jersey State Police is charged with removing such offenses from background checks. But the State Police’s extreme delays in processing expungement orders and sealing individuals’ criminal records is frustrating the law’s goals of allowing reformed and rehabilitated New Jerseyans to be freed from the collateral consequences of their past lives.
Volunteer Lawyers for Justice has the pleasure of introducing our second Fall 2023 Intern, Lisa Roe.
Lisa serves as an all-programs intern at VLJ, and she is currently pursuing a law degree at Seton Hall University School of Law. Prior to starting her law studies at Seton Hall Law, Lisa obtained a Master of Library & Information Science and a Bachelor of Arts in Communication, both from Rutgers University.
With fall in full swing, Volunteer Lawyers for Justice is delighted to introduce Saturday Zammit, one of VLJ’s Fall 2023 interns; Saturday is spending her internship supporting VLJ’s Tenancy Program.
Ever the dedicated student with a thirst for knowledge, Saturday is dually enrolled at Rutgers Law School and Rutgers School of Social Work (having earned a B.A. in Cognitive Science and Psychology from Rutgers University). When asked why she chose to go to law school, Saturday said the decision was deeply rooted in her passion for working with people. Indeed, with a double M.S.W. and J.D. in her near future, Saturday is uniquely positioned to combine her love of problem-solving with her desire to help people.
For Volunteer Lawyers for Justice’s October 2023 Supporter of the Month, we recognize PSEG and the PSEG Foundation, a steadfast partner, champion, and cheerleader of VLJ’s Veterans Legal Program. PSEG’s invaluable support fuels VLJ’s services for those who served, extending critical legal help to veterans across New Jersey with their unmet civil legal needs.
Continuing the trend of celebrating community, justice, and the power of pro bono, Volunteer Lawyers for Justice (VLJ) celebrated its annual Arts & Eats for Justice Gala on Tuesday, October 3 at Nanina’s in the Park. The Arts & Eats for Justice Gala is VLJ’s largest celebratory event that raises much-needed funds to continue providing free civil legal services while also honoring those whose time and talent raise the bar on ensuring access to justice for people experiencing poverty. For this year’s gala, VLJ honored Verizon (Partner in Justice Award), Reed Smith LLP (Beacon of Justice Award), and Paul J. Fishman (Champion of Justice Award). As a result of the generous and robust support of this year’s gala, VLJ raised over $625,000.
Volunteer Lawyers for Justice is proud and honored to announce our very own Alexandra Bravo, a staff attorney leading VLJ’s Veterans Legal Program, was recently selected as one of the New Jersey Law Journal’s 2023 Diverse Attorneys of the Year.
The New Jersey Law Journal’s Diverse Attorneys of the Year honors diverse attorneys in New Jersey making an impact at a law firm, courtroom, in-house legal department, government agency or public interest organization. Further, the Diverse Attorneys of the Year recognizes the impact these attorneys have on the profession in all its forms, whether it is resolving a significant case or transaction, leading a department through a difficult stretch, or helping change policy. The New Jersey Law Journal sought to highlight the honorees’ accomplishments over the past two years, with demonstrable excellence and accomplishment during that time frame being key to a strong nomination. The New Jersey Law Journal, in their email to Alexandra announcing her selection as one of its Diverse Attorneys of the Year, said, "We received a number of impressive nominations. The recognition is well earned."
For Volunteer Lawyers for Justice’s September 2023 Supporter of the Month, we proudly feature the South Ward Promise Neighborhood (SWPN), the catalyst for VLJ’s SWPN Program. SWPN's generous funding—$540,000 since 2017—plays a pivotal role enabling VLJ to provide essential civil legal services to families in Newark's South Ward, ensuring children can thrive from the cradle, to college and career, and beyond.
The SWPN is a powerful collaborative effort of more than 25 organizations working together to invest in South Ward families. SWPN’s partners offer free programs and services to ensure children receive support at every stage of development from prenatal to college and career. The goal of SWPN is to ensure every child growing up in Newark’s South Ward has access to high-quality services and community support.
On Sept. 1, the New Jersey judiciary walked back its effort to reform the eviction process, increasing the already uneven odds against tenants.
Every day, landlords and their lawyers file eviction complaints that do not comply with the law. They fail to provide proper notice, demand illegal rent and fees, and claim as arrears rent that has already been paid. Moreover, the rent they seek is often for property that is dilapidated, leaky, and infested. Most tenants have nowhere to go when rents are high and conditions are appalling; the rental market is the tightest it’s been in years.
Access the entire opinion piece on NJ.com
In the heart of the legal world, where compassion and expertise meet, there's a bright star named Nina DePalma, Esq., who is a guiding light at Volunteer Lawyers for Justice (VLJ). In recognition of her achievements and commitment, Nina is VLJ’s August 2023 Defender of Justice.
Nina, a staff attorney in VLJ’s Tenancy Program, also serves as a fellow with the New Jersey Housing Justice Corps. Nina earned a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology of Law and Society from Moravian University and a Juris Doctor from Rutgers Law School-Newark (class of 2020). During law school Nina was an editor for the Rutgers Journal for Law and Public Policy, and had the privilege of addressing her class as their chosen commencement speaker. Nina also won the Sera Ramcharitar Memorial award at Rutgers Law, which is awarded to the student who excelled in work on behalf of the underprivileged, particularly women, children and families.
For Volunteer Lawyers for Justice’s (VLJ) August 2023 Supporter of the Month, we spotlight the Interest on Lawyers Trust Accounts Fund of the Bar of New Jersey (IOLTA NJ), a pivotal supporter of VLJ’s Divorce Program—a legal program that helps pro se litigants navigate the divorce process in New Jersey.
With a remarkable history of awarding grants totaling over $462 million to organizations across New Jersey, IOLTA NJ is a driving force behind the delivery of free legal services for New Jerseyans experiencing poverty who face unmet legal needs while improving the administration of justice.
On Wednesday, August 2, 2023, Univision 41 Nueva York came to Volunteer Lawyers for Justice’s Newark office for a Spanish-language interview on VLJ’s services and how we work to ensure access to justice for people experiencing poverty. VLJ Staff Attorney Alexandra Bravo represented VLJ, and two former VLJ clients spoke about how our services, along with the power of pro bono, impacted their lives.
