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VLJ July 2023 Supporter of the Month: McCarter & English, LLP

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VLJ July 2023 Supporter of the Month: McCarter & English, LLP

As the saying goes, “Home is where the heart is,” and VLJ’s home in Newark is generously made possible by our July 2023 Supporter of the Month, McCarter & English, LLP.

McCarter & English could have stopped there, but going above and beyond in 2022, 72 attorney and non-attorney staff from McCarter & English volunteered nearly 1,307 hours of their time. The already impressive 1,307 volunteer hours really hit home the power of pro bono when one considers the corresponding “value in service” (calculated using individual billable rates) means over $498,000 in free legal assistance was donated to VLJ and its clients. McCarter & English's unwavering partnership with VLJ empowers us and our work, and it shows the commitment to ensuring access to justice runs deep in Newark and across New Jersey.  

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VLJ July 2023 Volunteer of the Month: Willard C. Shih

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VLJ July 2023 Volunteer of the Month: Willard C. Shih

As New Jersey’s housing affordability crisis continues, it is more important than ever to ensure tenants facing eviction have access to justice based on their merits and not their ability to afford an attorney. Fortunately for VLJ, our July 2023 Volunteer of the Month is a dedicated volunteer fighting to keep our Tenancy Program clients stably housed at home. This month, we celebrate the compassionate dedication and powerful impact of Willard C. Shih, Esq.

Having begun his legal career at a NYC “Big Law” firm, Willard is now a Shareholder at Wilentz, Goldman & Spitzer, P.A., a firm he has been with since 2001. His practice includes business and commercial disputes and representing law firms and attorneys in various claims involving professional negligence. Willard received a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and International Relations from Columbia University and a Juris Doctor from Fordham Law. Additionally, Willard is a certified Civil Trial Attorney in New Jersey and a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers.

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VLJ Summer 2023 Intern Spotlight: Fotini Sisois

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VLJ Summer 2023 Intern Spotlight: Fotini Sisois

The next spotlight on VLJ’s four exceptional Summer 2023 interns is Fotini Sisois. Fotini's dedication and diverse skills are happily welcomed in the VLJ programs she supports during her internship: South Ward Promise Neighborhood, Driver's License Restoration, Children's Representation, and Human Trafficking.

Fotini received a Bachelor of Science in Public Relations and a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from the University of Florida, and she currently attends Rutgers Law School-Newark.

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VLJ Summer 2023 Intern Spotlight: Chase O'Brien

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VLJ Summer 2023 Intern Spotlight: Chase O'Brien

Continuing with our Summer 2023 new intern spotlights, VLJ is excited to spotlight Chase O'Brien who is spending his summer supporting VLJ’s Debt Relief Legal Program and Divorce Program. Chase received a Bachelor of Arts in Communications from Fairfield University, and he currently attends the George Washington University Law School.

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VLJ Summer 2023 Intern Spotlight: Elena Schwartz

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VLJ Summer 2023 Intern Spotlight: Elena Schwartz

As summer kicks into high gear, VLJ shines a spotlight on our four Summer 2023 interns. First up, VLJ is thrilled to introduce Elena Schwartz who is interning with VLJ’s ReLeSe Program and Veterans Legal Program. Elena received a Bachelor of Arts in Criminology from Fairleigh Dickinson University, and she is a rising 2L at Brooklyn Law School.

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VLJ June 2023 Defender of Justice: Jeff Stephens

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VLJ June 2023 Defender of Justice: Jeff Stephens

“Ensuring access to justice is showing up,” whether that is at the courthouse or on the neighborhood block. For VLJ’s June 2023 Defender of Justice, “showing up” is his “just getting started.” For this month’s Defender of Justice, VLJ recognizes and honors the commitment, compassion, and dedication of Jeff Stephens.

Jeff is a senior staff attorney in VLJ’s Tenancy Program and also oversees VLJ’s quarterly Estate Planning Clinic and co-leads VLJ’s internship efforts. Jeff received a Bachelor of Arts in philosophy and political science at Hunter College and his Juris Doctor from Rutgers Law-Newark.

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VLJ June 2023 Supporter of the Month: American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers Foundation

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VLJ June 2023 Supporter of the Month: American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers Foundation

For this month's inaugural VLJ “Supporter of the Month” series, we are delighted to recognize the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML) Foundation whose generous funding has made a significant impact on VLJ’s Divorce Program and its clients.

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VLJ June 2023 Volunteer of the Month: Cristina Baragona

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VLJ June 2023 Volunteer of the Month: Cristina Baragona

There is a saying that veterans are generally the first to volunteer, so much like the veterans VLJ serves, our June 2023 Volunteer of the Month was one of the first volunteers when VLJ launched its Veterans Legal Wellness Clinic in 2017. For her compassionate dedication to serving those who served, VLJ honors Cristina Baragona, Esq. as this month’s Volunteer of the Month.

Cristina is currently Assistant General Counsel–Compliance, Employment, and Privacy at BASF. Prior to joining BASF, Cristina was an associate at Lowenstein Sandler. At BASF, Cristina is responsible for employment law and supporting HR and managers with matters ranging from recruitment, onboarding, employee issues, through retirement and resignations. In short, Cristina often sees the lifespan of one’s employment journey at BASF. Cristina received a Bachelor of Arts in English and Political Science from Lehigh University and her Juris Doctor from Seton Hall Law.

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VLJ May 2023 Volunteer of the Month: Jennifer Prioleau

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VLJ May 2023 Volunteer of the Month: Jennifer Prioleau

Not too many volunteers are “Have bar license, will travel,” but for VLJ’s May 2023 Volunteer of the Month, that’s the spirit of how she ensures access to justice, whether it’s from her home in New Jersey, corporate headquarters in Pennsylvania, or global headquarters in Germany. This month, VLJ honors Board Trustee and Secretary Jennifer Prioleau, Esq. as our Volunteer of the Month.

Jennifer serves on the executive leadership team of B. Braun Medical Inc. as Senior Vice President, Chief Legal Officer, Chief Compliance Officer & Corporate Secretary, where her primary responsibility is to lead all legal, compliance and governance functions. Jennifer earned a bachelor of arts from Tufts University in International Relations & Russian and a Juris Doctor from Northwestern University School of Law.

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The New Jersey Coalition Against Human Trafficking Awards VLJ with NJ Freedom Award

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The New Jersey Coalition Against Human Trafficking Awards VLJ with NJ Freedom Award

On Wednesday, May 17, Volunteer Lawyers for Justice (VLJ) was presented with a NJ Freedom Award for its work ensuring access to justice for survivors of human trafficking in New Jersey. The awards were presented by the New Jersey Coalition Against Human Trafficking (NJCAHT) at its annual New Jersey Freedom Gala. At the Gala, which was held at the Bridgewater Manor, NJCAHT awarded several recipients with its NJ Freedom Award, an award that recognizes the compassion, courage, impact and reach of individuals and organizations to prevent human trafficking in New Jersey and help those affected by it.

Joe Giovannoli and Tracey Salmon-Smith Join VLJ’s Board of Trustees

Joe Giovannoli and Tracey Salmon-Smith Join VLJ’s Board of Trustees

Newark, NJ – Volunteer Lawyers for Justice (VLJ) is pleased to announce that Joe Giovannoli of Waldwick, NJ and Tracey Salmon-Smith of Manalapan, NJ recently joined its Board of Trustees at the beginning of the year. Joe is the Founder and CEO of 9Sail, a lead generation and search engine optimization firm with a focus on the legal industry based in Fairfield, NJ. Tracey Salmon-Smith is a partner at international law firm Faegre Drinker in the business litigation practice group.

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VLJ April 2023 Volunteer of the Month: Megan Williams

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VLJ April 2023 Volunteer of the Month: Megan Williams

While the saying “April showers bring May flowers” exists, there is no rain on our parade as we recognize and celebrate VLJ’s April 2023 Volunteer of the Month, Megan Williams. Megan is an associate at Lowenstein Sandler who joined the firm in January 2021. Megan was no stranger to Lowenstein as she was a summer associate during law school. Megan graduated with a B.A. cum laude from the University of Pittsburgh, and received her Juris Doctor from Washington and Lee University School of Law, where she was the managing editor of the German Law Journal.

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VLJ April 2023 Defender of Justice: Eilleen Ingram-Willis

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VLJ April 2023 Defender of Justice: Eilleen Ingram-Willis

“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 then we honor, cheerlead, and champion our newest Defender of Justice, Eilleen Ingram-Willis.

With VLJ since November 2021, Eilleen is a managing attorney where she leads VLJ’s South Ward Promise Neighborhood (SWPN) and Human Trafficking Programs. Eilleen completed undergrad at the University of Pennsylvania, and she received her Juris Doctor from Rutgers Law School-Newark.

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VLJ Staff Member and Board Trustee Published in NJSBA's New Jersey Lawyer - April 2023

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VLJ Staff Member and Board Trustee Published in NJSBA's New Jersey Lawyer - April 2023

Volunteer Lawyers for Justice staff member Jessica Kitson (Director of Legal Advocacy) and Board Trustee Jessica Hodkinson (Vice President, Chief Legal Officer and Corporate Secretary at Panasonic Corporation of North America) had their article, The Power of Pro Bono Partnerships, published in the New Jersey State Bar Association’s New Jersey Lawyer April 2023 edition.

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We Hate Poverty—A Call to Action by VLJ Executive Director Cathy Keenan

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We Hate Poverty—A Call to Action by VLJ Executive Director Cathy Keenan

Are you tired of seeing poverty in America? Are you fed up with the fact that poverty is considered a routine social ill? Something that has come to be expected and accepted. At VLJ, we are tired of seeing poverty and we are fed up with accommodating it, generation after generation, broken promise after broken promise.

Cathy Keenan, VLJ’s Executive Director, recently attended a talk by Pulitzer Prize-winning author and sociologist, Matthew Desmond, in advance of his new book, “Poverty, by America.” Desmond’s talk left Cathy energized and reinvigorated and now she has a call to action for the larger VLJ family.

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VLJ Highlighted in Psychology Today Article on Human Trafficking

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VLJ Highlighted in Psychology Today Article on Human Trafficking

Volunteers Lawyers for Justice was recently highlighted in a March 29, 2023, article from Psychology Today. The article discussed the criminals records-impact survivors of human trafficking face. Also featured in the article are VLJ volunteer Michelle Stegmann and the New Jersey Coalition Against Human Trafficking.

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VLJ March 2023 Volunteer of the Month: Kerrie R. Heslin

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VLJ March 2023 Volunteer of the Month: Kerrie R. Heslin

Volunteer Lawyers for Justice (VLJ) must be Irish, because we struck gold with our March 2023 Volunteer of the Month, Kerrie R. Heslin!

Kerrie is a Partner at Nukk-Freeman & Cerra, P.C., one of the largest labor and employment firms in the New York metropolitan area with offices on the nation’s east and west coasts.  Devoting a majority of her practice to litigation and employment matters involving discrimination, retaliation, whistleblower claims, wage and hour and benefits issues on behalf of employers, Kerrie oversees the Firm’s litigation team of 18 attorneys. Kerrie received a Bachelor of Science in Finance/Marketing from Syracuse University, and she received her Juris Doctor from Seton Hall Law. Kerrie is licensed to practice law in New Jersey, and she is admitted before the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey and the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit.

The Power of Pro Bono - “Greg"

The Power of Pro Bono - “Greg"

“Greg”* is a veteran who was referred by Community Hope SSVF to Volunteer Lawyers for Justice (VLJ) for assistance with his debt relief matter. At the time of his referral to VLJ, Greg was living in a small shack with no running water or electricity, forcing Greg to depend on his “neighbors” for electricity via an extension cord.

At one point, Greg’s neighbors put their PSEG bill in his name, with Greg’s consent, but failed to make multiple payments. This resulted in a PSEG bill of $2,940.64 in Greg’s name that was ultimately sent to collections. This unpaid bill was the only thing preventing Greg from obtaining much needed housing assistance, thus forcing him to remain unsuitably housed.

Attorney Catherine Fitch Joins VLJ’s Board of Trustees

Attorney Catherine Fitch Joins VLJ’s Board of Trustees

Newark, NJ – Volunteer Lawyers for Justice (VLJ) is excited to announce that volunteer Catherine Fitch, a resident of Cranford, New Jersey, recently joined VLJ’s Board of Trustees. Catherine is currently Managing Counsel, Patents at Merck where she has been involved with Merck’s Pro Bono Program including volunteering with VLJ’s Divorce and Debt Relief legal clinics. Catherine received a Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry from Wesleyan University, and she received her Juris Doctor with high honors from Rutgers Law School-Newark. Catherine is admitted to practice law in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and before the United States Patent and Trademark Office.

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VLJ February 2023 Volunteer of the Month: Steven Kim

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VLJ February 2023 Volunteer of the Month: Steven Kim

February is the season for spreading love which is perfect timing to honor and celebrate Steven Kim, VLJ’s February 2023 Volunteer of the Month, who has a huge heart for pro bono and volunteering to ensure access to justice for people experiencing poverty. Steven is presently Vice President, Corporate Counsel at Prudential Financial where he has been for nearly six years. Steven holds a pharmacy degree from Rutgers College of Pharmacy, and he received his Juris Doctor from New York University School of Law. Steven is barred in New York and holds an in-house license in New Jersey.