News & Updates
For Volunteer Lawyers for Justice’s April 2024 Defender of Justice, dedication, compassion, and empathy are as much a part of her job as helping clients, supporting programmatic efforts, and ensuring access to justice are. This month, VLJ celebrates Jill Heredia Lopera.
Volunteer Lawyers for Justice congratulates Tracey Salmon-Smith, a VLJ board trustee, and Leonard V. Jones, a member of VLJ’s Generation Now Committee, for being honored by the Garden State Bar Association.
Newark, NJ — Volunteer Lawyers for Justice (VLJ) announces that Stacey Slater joined its Board of Trustees in March. Stacey, President and Founder of Pro Bono Strategies, is an award-winning leader with over 20 years of experience using the power of pro bono to close the access to justice gap. Stacey’s leadership and experience helping to develop law firm pro bono programs will greatly benefit VLJ as the organization looks to innovatively ensure access to justice for people experiencing poverty.
NEWARK, NJ – Nukk-Freeman & Cerra, P.C. (NFC), a leading employment law firm headquartered in New Jersey, has been recognized as a 2024 NJBIZ Leaders in Law-Pro Bono honoree. This prestigious accolade celebrates NFC's unwavering commitment to harnessing the power of pro bono to ensure access to justice for people experiencing poverty in New Jersey. A 100% women-owned firm, NFC has consistently demonstrated a deep-seated dedication to giving back to the community, and through their robust pro bono initiatives, NFC embodies the belief that access to justice is a right, not a privilege.
NEWARK, NJ – Prudential Financial has been named the recipient of the Bernard A. Kuttner Pro Bono Service Award by the Essex County Bar Association. The award is a distinguished honor bestowed upon individuals, law firms, legal departments, and institutions within the legal profession for their outstanding contributions to providing volunteer legal services in Essex County. Since 2010, Prudential’s Law, Compliance, Business Ethics and External Affairs (LCBE) Voluntary Pro Bono Committee has been committed to helping some of the most vulnerable populations in the state, especially in the Essex County, NJ area, where the company has been headquartered for 148 years.
For Volunteer Lawyers for Justice, we found a “pot of justice gold” in the form of our March 2024 Volunteer of the Month, Misbah Fatima. Misbah is Director, Corporate Counsel within Prudential Financial’s Law, Compliance, Business Ethics and External Affairs department.
Misbah's journey into the legal profession began with a strong academic foundation, earning a B.A. in English and Jurisprudence, summa cum laude, from Montclair State University, followed by her law degree from Seton Hall University School of Law. Misbah’s dedication to the law extends beyond her day-to-day, serving as adjunct faculty at Montclair State University teaching courses in legal research and writing.
From Washington, D.C., with love (for pro bono and ensuring access to justice).
That’s the spirit behind Volunteer Lawyers for Justice’s February 2024 Volunteer of the Month, Amara Conteh. An associate at Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, Amara’s enthusiastic embrace of volunteering her legal talent not only represents the firm’s dedicated partnership with VLJ, it demonstrates the transformative power one person can have even hundreds of miles away.
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) heartily announces that Daniel D'Alessandro (“Dan”) of Hoboken recently joined its Board of Trustees. Dan, a partner at McCarter & English, LLP, is a fervent and longstanding volunteer with VLJ whose substantial experience in complex contractual, financial, and regulatory matters will undeniably add to the expertise and strength of VLJ’s board.
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.
Lynn Norcia, Of Counsel with Starr, Gern, Davison & Rubin, P.C., stands as a shining beacon of compassion and justice for children and families. Volunteer Lawyers for Justice (VLJ) is incredibly fortunate to count Lynn among our family of volunteers, and what better way to kick off a new year than to recognize her as our January 2024 Volunteer of the Month.
Lynn's journey with VLJ began in 2018, and since then, she has volunteered nearly 30 hours, providing much-needed pro bono legal help valued at over $8,000. While Lynn's introduction to VLJ remains a mystery, likely the result of a serendipitous email that made its way to her inbox, her desire to give back was always clear, and her altruistic spirit has seen her volunteer with VLJ’s Divorce Program and South Ward Promise Neighborhood Program. Lynn’s firm, Starr, Gern, Davison & Rubin, believes that giving back to the community is an important part of its role as a leading law firm in Essex County and has been very supportive of her volunteer work.
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.
In the bustling realm of Prudential Financial's Law, Compliance, Business Ethics and External Affairs department, Linda Dennis, an executive assistant with an impressive 27-year tenure, stands out as a beacon of giving back through pro bono and community service. Recognizing the incredible work Linda does ensuring access to justice for people experiencing poverty, Volunteer Lawyers for Justice celebrates and cheerleads her as our December 2023 Volunteer of the Month.
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) is thrilled to announce the addition of Michael Golden of Springfield to its Board of Trustees. Michael, currently Assistant Vice President-Senior Legal Counsel at AT&T, brings to the board a wealth of legal expertise, years of pro bono, and a deep commitment to VLJ’s mission.
Michael earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA) from Boston University and a Juris Doctor from Georgetown University Law Center. Ever a servant of his community, Michael is a past president of the Springfield Lions Club, having been involved with the club over the last five years. Michael’s service to his Springfield community further shows how generous he is with his time and talent. Indeed, Michael has been donating his time and talent with VLJ since 2013, enthusiastically supporting VLJ's Debt Relief Legal Program (DRLP) to the tune of volunteering more than 214 hours.
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.
In the world of corporate law, one may not always have the time to do pro bono. Yet, for Volunteer Lawyers for Justice’s November 2023 Volunteer of the Month, pro bono service to others is her lodestar. This month, VLJ recognizes Natalie Dallavalle, Associate Counsel - Litigation with PSEG, whose selfless service for those who served is a testament to the power and impact compassionate people can have when they undertake pro bono. Natalie earned her bachelor’s degree in English and Political Science from The College of New Jersey and her Juris Doctor from Seton Hall University School of Law; Natalie is also a member of the New Jersey Women Lawyers Association.
As part of PSEG’s litigation group, Natalie represents the company on complex commercial and environmental matters, both individually and with outside counsel. Her work extends to environmental concerns, property, and contract disputes. She's the ultimate fixer, striving to ensure the lights stay on and the gas keeps flowing for the countless community members who rely on PSEG's services.
