News & Updates
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.
In our bustling world, there are unsung heroes who work tirelessly to champion causes that often go unnoticed, and through their efforts, plant the seeds for a better tomorrow. VLJ’s September 2023 Volunteer of the Month is one such “gardener,” harnessing the power of pro bono to ensure children have access to the services and support they deserve. This month, we cheerlead and honor the Hillary D. Freeman, Esq., a special education powerhouse and Founding Partner of Freeman Law Offices. Hillary received a Bachelor of Science in Corporate Communications and Politics from Ithaca College and a Juris Doctor from Widener University School of Law.
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.
This month’s VLJ Volunteer of the Month is no stranger to being recognized for their above and beyond contributions to pro bono and ensuring access to justice. Indeed, our August 2023 Volunteer of the Month was VLJ’s Pro Bono Attorney of the Month in July 2017, and currently serves on VLJ’s Board of Trustees (after having served as Co-Chair of VLJ’s Generation Now Committee), giving a sense of just how dedicated and passionate they are. VLJ is thrilled to recognize Kaitlyn (“Kate”) E. Stone, Esq. as this month’s Volunteer of the Month for her exceptional dedication to pro bono, VLJ, and helping New Jerseyans with their unmet civil legal needs.
Kate is a partner at Barnes & Thornburg LLP, having joined the firm in September 2022. Kate's origin story began at the University of Rhode Island, where she earned a B.A., summa cum laude, in writing and rhetoric and in English language and literature. Kate served as a writing tutor in URI’s Writing Center and as an intern to the Provost during her undergraduate studies. Kate then earned her Juris Doctor, cum laude, from Seton Hall University School of Law (class of 2013).
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.
For the final installment of our Summer 2023 Intern Spotlight series, we are delighted to introduce Jonathan Acampora. Jonathan is spending his summer internship supporting VLJ’s Debt Relief Legal Program and Tenancy Program.
With an impressive academic journey, Jonathan holds a bachelor’s degree of Music in Oboe Performance and English from the University of Hartford, a master's degree in Teaching of English from Teachers College, Columbia University, and he is currently pursuing his Juris Doctor at Seton Hall Law.
Sneha Desai, Chief Legal Counsel, Global Litigation & Employment at Stryker and a Volunteer Lawyers for Justice (VLJ) board trustee and volunteer, was recently profiled in Reuters’ Practical Law — The Journal August 2023 In-House Counsel File.
As the saying goes, “Home is where the heart is,” and VLJ’s home in Newark is generously made possible by our July 2023 Supporter of the Month, McCarter & English, LLP.
McCarter & English could have stopped there, but going above and beyond in 2022, 72 attorney and non-attorney staff from McCarter & English volunteered nearly 1,307 hours of their time. The already impressive 1,307 volunteer hours really hit home the power of pro bono when one considers the corresponding “value in service” (calculated using individual billable rates) means over $498,000 in free legal assistance was donated to VLJ and its clients. McCarter & English's unwavering partnership with VLJ empowers us and our work, and it shows the commitment to ensuring access to justice runs deep in Newark and across New Jersey.
As New Jersey’s housing affordability crisis continues, it is more important than ever to ensure tenants facing eviction have access to justice based on their merits and not their ability to afford an attorney. Fortunately for VLJ, our July 2023 Volunteer of the Month is a dedicated volunteer fighting to keep our Tenancy Program clients stably housed at home. This month, we celebrate the compassionate dedication and powerful impact of Willard C. Shih, Esq.
Having begun his legal career at a NYC “Big Law” firm, Willard is now a Shareholder at Wilentz, Goldman & Spitzer, P.A., a firm he has been with since 2001. His practice includes business and commercial disputes and representing law firms and attorneys in various claims involving professional negligence. Willard received a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and International Relations from Columbia University and a Juris Doctor from Fordham Law. Additionally, Willard is a certified Civil Trial Attorney in New Jersey and a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers.
The next spotlight on VLJ’s four exceptional Summer 2023 interns is Fotini Sisois. Fotini's dedication and diverse skills are happily welcomed in the VLJ programs she supports during her internship: South Ward Promise Neighborhood, Driver's License Restoration, Children's Representation, and Human Trafficking.
Fotini received a Bachelor of Science in Public Relations and a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from the University of Florida, and she currently attends Rutgers Law School-Newark.
Continuing with our Summer 2023 new intern spotlights, VLJ is excited to spotlight Chase O'Brien who is spending his summer supporting VLJ’s Debt Relief Legal Program and Divorce Program. Chase received a Bachelor of Arts in Communications from Fairfield University, and he currently attends the George Washington University Law School.
