VLJ proudly spotlights Summer 2022 intern Melanie Zelikovsky. Melanie is a rising 2L at Rutgers Law - Newark (class of 2024); she received her B.A. in Classics with honors from NYU in 2013 and a M.A. in Classical Archaeology from the University of Arizona in 2016. During her time at VLJ Melanie supports the Debt Relief Legal and Divorce Programs.
Melanie comes to VLJ with rich and unique experience: she was Registrar at the excavation of the infant cemetery at the Poggio Gramignano Archaeological Project in Lugnano in Teverina, Italy for the 2016, 2017, and 2018 seasons. She then switched gears to gain more transferrable professional skills and experience at GEICO's Management Development Program where she developed an expertise in coaching and customer de-escalation (talk about a “soft skill” that has come in handy at VLJ!). At GEICO, Melanie led a top-performing service team and trained rising supervisors and mentors.
Currently, Melanie is looking forward to continuing public interest/pro bono law while using her archaeological expertise to tackle international art and antiquities laws and cultural repatriation issues facing indigenous communities. Melanie is also happy to report that she is one of five 2Ls chosen to compete on Rutgers' National Mock Trial team! Melanie first learned about VLJ through Rutgers Newark's Maida Fellowship Program. When Melanie applied, she looked through all the options and VLJ in particular stood out to her both because of its mission and because of the range of services it offers. Melanie mentioned that she wanted to be part of that mission and branch out.
When asked “What do you like about interning with VLJ?” her response was an enthusiastic, “So many things!” Specifically, Melanie responded, “I think the culture at VLJ is great; everyone is kind to one another and their clients. It's also a pretty inspiring workplace because everyone, fellow interns included, are dedicated to the cause and the work. We all believe that we all deserve better and I think that permeates the workplace culture as well as everyone's positive attitudes. Having done many internships before, some great and some not so great, it's amazing to be included in workplace goings on and treated as an equal adult with the capability to learn the ropes, rather than being relied on for coffees and the tasks that paid employees don't want to do. The fact that everyone here is open to answering questions and helping guide me as I grow as an attorney-in-training I think is unique, so I'm extremely glad to be here.”
Melanie is putting her time at VLJ to good use. Aside from building new skills and using skills she already has, Melanie is excited for each day at work (even when she is tired). Melanie is incredibly proud and excited to be part of such a tight knit crew dedicated to such an important cause; Melanie exclaimed that she keeps gushing about everything she is doing to anyone who dares to ask!
For Melanie, pro bono work is essential. She thinks the civil legal system is something many people take for granted, until they face a civil legal issue without an advocate in their corner. In her short time interning at VLJ, Melanie said she has learned a lot about how New Jerseyans experiencing poverty are impacted by not having guaranteed legal representation in matters that are life changing. Indeed, Melanie said the numbers speak for themselves and that pro bono work is critical for equity so that people who are involved in the civil justice system have the best chance at actual justice.
VLJ is immensely grateful to and for Melanie! Her energy and enthusiasm for justice have been an incredible help to our clients and staff, and we take comfort in the knowledge that Melanie, along with all our other Summer 2022 interns, are going to be the next generation of social justice warriors and changemakers. Thank you so much, Melanie!