Volunteer Lawyers for Justice is thrilled to spotlight Gavin Pereira as our June 2024 Volunteer of the Month. Gavin, Corporate Counsel at Audible, plays a pivotal role in supporting the company's rapidly evolving content initiatives. As part of the Content Legal team, Gavin’s responsibilities include advising on a variety of content issues, structuring and negotiating acquisition and development agreements, and collaborating with cross-department stakeholders such as creative, business affairs, production, marketing, and PR.
VLJ June 2024 Defender of Justice: Eric W. Hughes
At Volunteer Lawyers for Justice (VLJ), stories of resilience, compassion, and commitment to justice abound. So much so VLJ never hesitates to share the voices and experiences that encompass the transformative power of pro bono. For VLJ’s June 2024 Defender of Justice, we pull the curtain back to spotlight one staff member who helps bring those stories to you: Eric W. Hughes.
The Power of Pro Bono - “Isaac"
Isaac* and his family faced uncertainty when their landlord attempted to evict them from their long-time home located in a three-unit building. Throughout their tenancy, the landlord would sporadically send them notices of nonrenewal, telling the family their lease would not be renewed because it is an owner-occupied property, yet the landlord continued to accept the family’s rent payments. Continuing the trend, the landlord sent a notice of nonrenewal urging the family to move out of their long-time home so the rent for the unit could be increased. After the landlord filed an eviction complaint against Isaac and his family—despite them not owing any outstanding money—Isaac turned to Volunteer Lawyers for Justice for help.
Cathy Keenan, VLJ's Executive Director, Interviewed by Comcast Newsmakers
Volunteer Lawyers for Justice Executive Director Cathy Keenan talks with Comcast Newsmakers host Candace Kelley about mobilizing private practice attorneys from across New Jersey to volunteer to support vulnerable populations and people who really need to have their voice amplified or heard in the legal system. Volunteer Lawyers for Justice Executive Director Cathy Keenan talks with Comcast Newsmakers host Candace Kelley about mobilizing private practice attorneys from across New Jersey to volunteer to support vulnerable populations and people who really need to have their voice amplified or heard in the legal system.
How We Do Justice Matters - VLJ's ReLeSe Program
On April 18, 2024, for Financial Institution Pro Bono Day, volunteers from Duane Morris LLP and TD Bank joined Volunteer Lawyers for Justice for an e-filing criminal record expungement clinic. Not only was it a great day to harness the power of pro bono, it was a great day for a client of VLJ’s ReLeSe (Reentry Legal Services) Program who successfully e-filed their expungement petition thanks to volunteers Jennifer Polovetsky and Lynne Evans from Duane Morris and Lisa DeLessio and Peter Pai from TD Bank.
VLJ May 2024 Volunteer of the Month: Ellen Schwartz
VLJ Celebrates National Volunteer Month 2024
𝗛𝗮𝗽𝗽𝘆 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗩𝗼𝗹𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗲𝗿 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗵!
At Volunteer Lawyers for Justice, volunteers are at the core of our mission to ensure access to justice for people experiencing poverty. They consistently and powerfully show up for our clients and communities, generously donating their time and talent to ensure justice is not limited to those who can afford it. While there are not enough days in National Volunteer Month to personally celebrate all our volunteers, VLJ is spotlighting a few who represent the incredible humans partnering with us to change lives.
VLJ April 2024 Defender of Justice: Jill Heredia Lopera
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.
Tracey Salmon-Smith and Leonard V. Jones Honored with GSBA Awards
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.
Stacey Slater, President and Founder of Pro Bono Strategies, Joins Volunteer Lawyers for Justice’s Board of Trustees
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.
The Power of Pro Bono - “Emelina” and “Kristiana”
“Emelina”* and her daughter “Kristiana”* live in Newark’s South Ward. At age five, Kristiana was diagnosed with diabetes, yet was determined to not let that hold her back. Like many her age, Kristiana enrolled in kindergarten to begin her journey from K to 12.
Of course, to succeed in school, Kristiana would need medical support. Through advocating for Kristiana, Emelina had the school district agree to some of the medical recommendations from Kristiana’s doctor, but the school district would not comply with all the recommendations.
Nukk-Freeman & Cerra, P.C. Named a 2024 NJBIZ Leaders in Law Pro Bono Honoree
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.
Prudential Financial Receives the Bernard A. Kuttner Pro Bono Service Award from the Essex County Bar Association
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.
VLJ March 2024 Volunteer of the Month: Misbah Fatima
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.
VLJ February 2024 Volunteer of the Month: Amara Conteh
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.
VLJ Spring 2024 Intern Spotlight: Jonathan Nendze
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.
Daniel D'Alessandro, Partner at McCarter & English, LLP, Joins Volunteer Lawyers for Justice’s Board of Trustees
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.
American College of Bankruptcy Foundation Awards $12,500 Grant to Volunteer Lawyers for Justice to Support Its Debt Relief Legal Program
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.
VLJ February 2024 Defender of Justice: Adaneka Witter Judge
“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.
Volunteer Lawyers for Justice Receives $1,000,000 Gift to Launch Endowment to Ensure Access to Justice
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.