Rounding out Volunteer Lawyers for Justice’s Summer 2025 interns, VLJ welcomes Colleen Wanner to the team. This summer, Colleen will support VLJ’s PRIDE Name Change Program, ReLeSe (Reentry Legal Services) Program, and Veterans Legal Program.
Colleen is a rising 2L at Rutgers Law School–Camden, where she’s combining her passion for service with growing her legal expertise. Prior to law school, Colleen earned a B.A. in International Studies from American University. Colleen was drawn to VLJ through her school’s listserv when looking for an internship that would directly connect her with clients. The desire to build real-world legal experience, combined with her own professional aspirations and personal values, made her a perfect match for VLJ.
Colleen describes her internship at VLJ as “the whole package” and an ideal way to close out her 1L year. She is particularly excited to work with clients, gain hands-on experience with case research, and form meaningful connections within New Jersey’s legal community. Indeed, this internship is more than just a resume builder—it's a launching point for a career rooted in justice and the public interest.
When asked about the value of pro bono, Colleen doesn’t hold back: “Every attorney should do pro bono work, even if it isn’t something they considered when applying to law school, because pro bono is an extension of an attorney’s commitment to the practice of law and to the judicial ideals of equality and fairness.” While it’s no secret the courts look vastly different for people experiencing poverty, compared to those who can afford legal representation, Colleen sees pro bono as one of the many ways the legal community can both support people experiencing poverty and strengthen the integrity of the legal system.
For Colleen, VLJ’s mission is about ensuring that everyone—not just those with resources—can navigate the legal system. “It’s imperative organizations like VLJ exist so every person in the United States has access to legal resources that can help guide them, because justice should never be reserved only for the affluent.”
VLJ is grateful to have Colleen spend her summer with us as she builds the foundation to become the kind of lawyer our justice system needs. Welcome, Colleen!
Connect with Colleen on LinkedIn