News & Updates
When Delia Murphy guides would-be litigants at VLJ’s Divorce Clinic every month, it’s clear that many of her nonlegal, as well as legal, experiences trained her for the role.
Delia, who has been lending her expertise to VLJ since its inception 15 years ago, runs a solo matrimonial law practice in Bloomfield. Previously, she taught marketing part time at Saint Peter’s University in Jersey City and remains at ease in a teaching environment.
This summer, VLJ had the pleasure of working with three wonderful legal interns: Alexandra Bravo, Danielle Panizzi, and Kate Petrie. All three students attend Rutgers School of Law in Newark. Alex is in her third year and Danielle and Kate are in their second year.
Danielle served as VLJ’s first Maida Fellow. The Maida Fellowship provides funding to a Rutgers student for a summer internship at a public interest legal organization. Alex and Kate were Proskauer Rose Fellows.
At VLJ, we celebrate pro bono work every day, but in honor of the American Bar Association’s Pro Bono Week (October 23rd to 29th), we have planned a wide variety of events for attorneys and clients. The goals of the celebration include recruiting more pro bono volunteers and increasing legal services to poor and vulnerable people, mobilizing community support for pro bono, fostering collaborative relationships, and recognizing the pro bono efforts of America’s lawyers. Click through to see some events that we have planned.
Volunteer Lawyers for Justice’s Board of Trustees has announced the addition of four accomplished lawyers who will help shape the direction of the organization, which marks its 15th anniversary this year.
The new trustees are Angela M. Coxe, Senior Patent Counsel, Hewlett Packard Enterprise, Berkeley Heights; Donald J. Cussen, Senior Vice President/Financial Adviser, RBC Wealth Management, Florham Park; Matthew Lepore, Senior Vice President and General Counsel, BASF Corp., Florham Park; and Tricia B. O’Reilly, Partner, Walsh Pizzi O’Reilly Falanga LLP, Newark.
The billable hour is a staple behind law firm economics, and now Volunteer Lawyers for Justice (VLJ) is using the concept for a fund-raiser marking its 15th anniversary.
VLJ is asking lawyers at 150 New Jersey firms to donate the cash equivalent of "Just One" billable hour to help fund legal services for low-income individuals across the state.
Suzanne M. Klar is an example of how one person can spark beneficial and lasting change—in this case, for veterans.
In 2013, the PSEG associate general litigation counsel approached Volunteer Lawyers for Justice about a broader pro bono role by attorneys in her company’s legal department. A VLJ board member since 2008, Suzanne had been focused on pro bono work for years. In particular, she noticed that veterans and active service members had critical legal needs.
VLJ is currently conducting a female veterans survey, with the hopes of understanding and prioritizing the legal issues faced by female veterans and servicewomen. If you are a female vet, please take a few minutes to complete our online survey here. We truly appreciate your feedback and hope we are able to design a program that best fits yours and your peers needs. Or call our office to complete over the phone with a VLJ staff member, (973)645-1955.
U.S Senator Cory Booker, a longtime Volunteer Lawyers for Justice collaborator since his tenure as mayor of Newark, extends warm greetings at VLJ’s annual Arts & Eats for Justice Gala. The Senator shares with guests how proud he was to partner with VLJ to host a successful Expungement Clinic for New Jerseyans working towards a fresh start for themselves and their families.
If you filed a flood insurance (NFIP) claim after Superstorm Sandy, and you were not satisfied with the amount of money you received from your flood insurance company, you can request a review of your flood insurance claim through FEMA. VLJ, in collaboration with Legal Services of New Jersey (LSNJ), is hosting several clinics statewide which will cover the NFIP claims review process from start to finish and answer any questions you may have. Walk-ins are welcome; no need to register in advance. See current dates and locations (right). More clinic dates and locations will be added. Please call 1-844-308-2053 for up-to-date information.
The Supreme Court of New Jersey has adopted two new court rules relating to pro bono practice along with conforming amendments to the Rules of Professional Conduct and various court rules. The new rules and rule changes,with minor modifications made the Court, were recommended by the New Jersey State Bar Association's Pro Bono Task Force "...in order to clarify, streamline, and encourage pro bono practice..." The Task Force was formed to make recommendations to increase the provision of pro bono services in the state. The final Report "Closing the Justice Gap" was issued May 2012 and was unanimously adopted by the Board of Trustees of the NJSBA. For a copy of the report CLICK HERE. For a copy of the rules and conforming amendments, effective January 1, 2015, CLICK HERE.
