"I feel I have an obligation to use my law degree to help others, since it is such a great privilege to be a lawyer. VLJ is a wonderful organization that makes doing pro bono work easy!”
-CJ Griffin
Celebrating a Champion of Justice: CJ Griffin, Volunteer Lawyers for Justice’s February 2026 Volunteer of the Month
For CJ Griffin, the law isn't just a profession, it’s a powerful tool for balancing the scales of justice. As a Partner at Pashman Stein Walder Hayden, P.C. and Director of the firm’s Justice Gary S. Stein Public Interest Center, CJ has dedicated a career to defending democracy, the rule of law, and advancing social justice. Yet, despite having argued before the New Jersey Supreme Court more than 25 times, CJ’s commitment to pro bono remains deeply personal, rooted in a childhood that mirrors the challenges many clients at Volunteer Lawyers for Justice (VLJ) face.
From Quiet Roots to Courtroom Advocate
It might surprise those who see CJ’s confident presence in the courtroom today to learn CJ was once "very, very shy." Growing up in a household where a single mother worked hard to make ends meet, CJ remembers the anxiety of falling behind on rent and bills.
"I grew up very poor and am the first person in my family to go to college, let alone graduate law school. If we had faced eviction proceedings, we would have needed volunteer lawyers like VLJ because we could not afford a lawyer on our own."
Becoming a lawyer didn't just provide a career; it gave CJ a voice. Today, CJ uses that voice to ensure others aren't silenced by poverty or complexities of the legal system.
Impact Beyond the Individual
While CJ facilitates pro bono opportunities for the entire firm, including connecting transactional and trust and estates lawyers with meaningful service, CJ’s recent work with VLJ has left a powerful mark on the legal landscape for tenants across New Jersey.
In the case Fairkings Partners LLC v. Daniels (2025), CJ partnered with Allison Nolan, Managing Attorney of VLJ’s Tenancy Program, on an appeal regarding the "Stack Amendment." The core legal dispute centered on the interpretation of the Stack Amendment that allows a tenant facing eviction for non-payment of rent a three-business-day period after a warrant of removal is posted to submit a rent payment to prevent a lockout. The landlord argued this payment must include the amount set forth in the Judgment for Possession plus any rent that accrued afterward. The Appellate Division rejected the landlord's argument, affirming the trial court’s decision that the payment is limited to the amount fixed in the Judgment.
Thanks in part to CJ’s experience, insight, and passion, the Appellate Division decided tenants need only pay the court-determined amount to avoid an eviction. This victory didn't just help one client; it created a precedent protecting tenants across New Jersey.
CJ’s Why
CJ volunteers with VLJ because, “I feel I have an obligation to use my law degree to help others, since it is such a great privilege to be a lawyer. VLJ is a wonderful organization that makes doing pro bono work easy!" For those hesitant about joining CJ in pro bono, CJ had this to say:
“Don’t feel nervous—VLJ will give you all the support you need. And, in the end, you’ll have a very rewarding experience knowing that you are using your law degree to make a difference in someone else’s life. Even if you do not win or obtain all the relief your client needs, even knowing that someone was willing to advocate for them is very meaningful to most clients.”
VLJ is proud to honor CJ Griffin as our February 2026 Volunteer of the Month. CJ’s journey from shy, rural adolescence, to SUNY Empire State College and Rutgers Law School, to a regular champion of justice before the New Jersey Supreme Court serves as a moving reminder that when we make space for someone to use their voice, they can change the world. Thank you, CJ!
Motivated by CJ? Contact Emerald Sheay at esheay@vljnj.org or visit vljnj.org/why-probono.