News & Updates
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.
“Margaret”* originally came to Volunteer Lawyers for Justice (VLJ) over 20 years ago seeking help expunging her criminal record, contained on microfiche no less, when she met with a team of lawyers in Newark. At the time, Margaret had two felonies, and this was long before New Jersey passed its expansive expungement laws. After meeting with the team of attorneys, Margaret found out she was ineligible for expungement even though the attorneys described her as “the poster child” for having her record expunged.
Even with Margaret having turned her life around, being in school for a degree in human services, and zealously pursuing a career, sadly, the law would not be of help. The attorneys recommended Margaret pursue clemency from the governor; Margaret completed the clemency petition, collected over 200 signatures, and mailed it to the Governor of New Jersey at the time. Nothing. No word and no clemency.
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.
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."
“Thomas”, a veteran, came to Volunteer Lawyers for Justice for help resolving a child custody matter. Adding to the situation, Thomas lived in Florida and was seeking assistance with his parental visitation and communications rights; Thomas’s ex-spouse took his child from Florida to New Jersey and refused to allow Thomas to see or visit his child. Indeed, when Thomas would travel from Florida to New Jersey to visit his child, Thomas’s ex-spouse would not let him.
Through determination, powered by technology and ingenuity, VLJ's Alexandra Bravo helped Thomas successfully obtain an order in New Jersey granting Thomas the right to speak with his child every other day, with firm plans for Thomas to visit and see his child for the first time in several years.
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
