Eilleen Ingram-Willis, Esq.
“The power of pro bono is taking a moment to not think about ourselves, but to think about the needs of communities and the ability to help them; communities that are experiencing hardships and using our professional knowledge and skills to help improve their life situations.”
“If we want a beloved community, we must stand for justice.” – bell hooks
That quote from author, cultural critic, and professor bell hooks is an apt summary of one of VLJ’s many “whys” to our work. It acknowledges that “community” and “justice” must always go in the same sentence, hand in hand. This quote is not just philosophical at VLJ, it takes corporeal form and is embodied by our staff. Indeed, for VLJ’s April 2023 Defender of Justice, this quote encompasses the passion, commitment, and unwavering zeal for the communities we serve. It is why we happily honor, cheerlead, and champion our newest Defender of Justice, Eilleen Ingram-Willis.
Eilleen is a managing attorney at VLJ where she leads VLJ’s South Ward Promise Neighborhood (SWPN) and Human Trafficking Programs; she is also the staff liaison for the VLJ Board of Trustees’ Governance Committee. Eilleen has been with VLJ since November 2021, and prior to joining the organization, she served as In-House Counsel for the Jersey City Housing Authority for 11 years where she established and administered all legal aspects of its public housing and voucher program housing matters. Her career in the public sector began as a staff attorney at Central Jersey Legal Services in its Housing and Public Entitlements Unit. Eilleen completed undergrad at the University of Pennsylvania, and she received her Juris Doctor from Rutgers Law School-Newark.
Eilleen’s impact can be felt in every corner of VLJ, from direct client services and outreach, to program strategy and ensuring community members know their legal rights and responsibilities. Realizing the power in her work, Eilleen’s “cup” is refilled. One of the most recent events that replenished her was helping a survivor of human trafficking obtain a vacatur order which cleared their criminal history and freed them from a past long gone. While the programs Eilleen leads often involve neighbors in need, Eilleen feels she made the right decision to come to VLJ at this point in her career: the opportunities to enhance her skills as an advocate and to connect on a personal level with clients, community partners, and volunteers through her work with the SWPN have reaffirmed her “Yes.”
Eilleen’s work is not the only thing that replenishes her “cup.” She said the people at VLJ, the diversity of experiences and the wealth of knowledge the staff bring, and their commitment to doing this work all echo and energize her efforts. Eilleen also finds energy from the community in Newark, a community she enjoys reconnecting with from her days at Rutgers Law.
Eilleen is a community champion helping to harness the power of pro bono, “I think the power of pro bono is taking a moment to not think about ourselves, but to think about the needs of communities and the ability to help them; communities that are experiencing hardships and using our professional knowledge and skills to help improve their life situations.”
A community champion, leader, and advocate Eilleen surely is, she is also a “yogi,” a “momma bear,” and Girl Scout parent volunteer. Eilleen enjoys supporting her children’s school and walking the pedestrian paradise of local parks and neighborhood sidewalks.
To VLJ’s April 2023 Defender of Justice, a changemaker with a heart, a collegial coworker of the highest order, and a powerful partner, we express gratitude, appreciation, joy, and thanks. Thank you, Eilleen, for leading with light, love, and a determination to ensure access to justice for people experiencing poverty!