FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 14, 2025
CONTACT
Eric W. Hughes
Director of Communications
Volunteer Lawyers for Justice
(973) 233-5724
ehughes@vljnj.org
Volunteer Lawyers for Justice Celebrates BASF Corporation’s Legal Department and Bressler, Amery & Ross, P.C. for Major NJSBA Pro Bono Award Wins
Volunteer Lawyers for Justice staff along with BASF and Bressler, Amery & Ross, P.C.
BASF
Bressler, Amery & Ross, P.C.
NEWARK, NJ – Volunteer Lawyers for Justice (VLJ) is grateful that two of its dedicated pro bono partners, BASF Corporation’s Legal Department and Bressler, Amery & Ross, P.C., have been recognized by the New Jersey State Bar Association (NJSBA) with prestigious awards for their outstanding commitment to access to justice in New Jersey.
BASF Corporation’s Legal Department has been awarded the Mark Daniel Excellence in Pro Bono Award, and Bressler, Amery & Ross, P.C. received the Pillar of Justice Award. VLJ nominated both organizations in recognition of their deep and sustained partnership, particularly their powerful work supporting New Jersey veterans through VLJ’s Veterans Legal Program (VLP).
The NJSBA presented the awards at its 2025 Pro Bono Awards Reception on Wednesday, October 22 at the New Jersey Law Center.
BASF Corporation’s Legal Department: NJSBA Mark Daniel Excellence in Pro Bono Award
The Mark Daniel Excellence in Pro Bono Award recognizes the exemplary pro bono efforts of corporate legal departments, honoring the legacy of the late Mark Daniel, a visionary leader of pro bono efforts at Merck.
BASF Corporation’s Legal Department (BASF) was selected for its broad scope of corporate legal involvement in pro bono and its unique role in forwarding access to justice. The company demonstrates its commitment to social sustainability by putting significant resources behind its pro bono efforts, making participation easy and rewarding for employees, and securing support from corporate leadership.
"Our pro bono program reflects the heart of BASF's Legal team, which is deeply committed to service, collaboration, and making a meaningful impact in our communities," said Karen Killeen, Senior Vice President, BASF Corporation as well as General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer of BASF North America. "We are honored to receive this recognition on behalf of the entire BASF Legal team, whose dedication brings our corporate values to life by fostering a culture where service is second nature."
BASF’s legal staff has donated over 715 hours of free legal services to VLJ clients since 2016, valued at over $250,000. Beyond VLJ, BASF has assisted Pro Bono Partnership’s nonprofit clients with over 200 legal matters since 2002.
The department's senior leadership, in partnership with VLJ and other corporate partners, was instrumental in creating the Veterans Legal Wellness Clinic at the East Orange Veterans Affairs Medical Center in 2017. Their dedication to the VLP has helped over 500 VLJ clients, primarily veterans, since 2016.
BASF actively encourages staff engagement, with over 45 employees (attorneys and non-attorneys) having volunteered with VLJ. The company also demonstrates leadership by donating the time of its Pro Bono Executive Sponsor, Catherine Trinkle, to VLJ’s Board of Trustees.
"BASF and Bressler have been dedicated supporters of VLJ’s Veterans Legal Program since the creation of the legal wellness program at the VA Hospital in 2017," said Alexandra Bravo, senior staff attorney at VLJ and program lead for the VLP. "BASF volunteers bring their professionalism and expertise as well as compassion and empathy for our veterans."
Bressler, Amery & Ross, P.C.: NJSBA Pillar of Justice Pro Bono Award
The Pillar of Justice Pro Bono Award recognizes law firms for significant and innovative pro bono contributions toward forwarding access to justice in New Jersey.
Bressler, Amery & Ross, P.C. (Bressler) was chosen for its significant and innovative pro bono contributions and the firm’s promotion of service among its lawyers. The national, full-service firm supports a robust pro bono program driven by the deeply held belief that legal representation for those with limited access to justice is a high value.
Since 2016, Bressler attorneys and paralegals have donated over 400 hours of volunteer time to VLJ, valued at over $120,000 in donated legal services, assisting in over 300 matters. The majority of this work has been dedicated to the VLP, including direct representation of clients outside of the clinic setting.
Bressler was recruited by BASF to join in the inaugural Veterans Legal Wellness Clinic in 2017 and has remained a dedicated partner, often serving as mentors to new volunteers. Their attorneys regularly go above and beyond, assisting veterans with complex legal matters such as document collection for bankruptcy, record requests for expungements, and negotiating payment plans.
The firm’s pro bono work focuses on critical areas including housing and homelessness, women’s rights, racial and socioeconomic injustice, immigration, and veterans' affairs.
“Supporting our veterans and giving back to the communities we serve are fundamental to who we are as a firm,” said Frederick K. Schoenbrodt, II, Managing Principal of the firm’s New Jersey office and a U.S. Army Veteran. “We are proud to partner with VLJ and BASF to help ensure New Jersey’s veterans receive the legal support and respect they deserve.”
Alexandra Bravo added, "They ensure our veterans feel heard and understood, a service that can sometimes be as meaningful to our veterans as the legal advice provided."
VLJ is incredibly proud to have a powerful, longstanding partnership with both BASF and Bressler. We celebrate their well-deserved recognition by the NJSBA. Indeed, their enthusiastic embrace of pro bono sets a high standard for corporate legal departments and law firms across the state.
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About Volunteer Lawyers for Justice (VLJ)
VLJ is an award-winning, comprehensive nonprofit legal services program based in Newark, NJ, with a statewide reach. VLJ's mission is to ensure access to justice for people experiencing poverty. The Newark-based organization ensures fair access to the legal system through partnerships with corporations and hundreds of volunteer attorneys. In 2024, VLJ’s work impacted nearly 4,500 people—including 1,661 children—and its volunteer attorneys donated $2.2 million in free legal services. Connect with VLJ on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube.