Hear from those who unite for justice. The video debuted at Volunteer Lawyers for Justice's annual gala on Tuesday, October 7, 2025.
Because how we do justice matters.
Rooted in Service - Fostering a Pro Bono Culture in New Jersey
Volunteer Lawyers for Justice Staff Attorney, Emerald Sheay, recently wrote an article that was published in the New Jersey State Bar Association’s October 2025 issue of New Jersey Lawyer.
How We Do Justice Matters - The Power in a name
VLJ September 2025 Volunteer of the Month: Alyssa D’Antonio
Volunteer Lawyers for Justice (VLJ) proudly recognizes Alyssa D’Antonio as our September 2025 Volunteer of the Month! Alyssa is Counsel at Lowenstein Sandler LLP, where her practice focuses on intellectual property and life sciences. While her day-to-day work involves complex patent law, she volunteers with VLJ's Tenancy Program, using her legal talent to keep families safely housed at home.
VLJ Statement on Maureen “Mo” McCully Winograd’s Passing
VLJ Volunteer Attorney, Kevin Gilmore of Gibbons P.C., Named a Finalist for the 2025 New Jersey Legal Awards’ Pro Bono Lawyer of the Year
Congratulations to Kevin Gilmore on being named a finalist for the 2025 New Jersey Legal Awards’ Pro Bono Lawyer of the Year!
VICTORY: Passaic Tenants Pass Landmark Rent Control Ordinance Impacting Nearly Half of the City’s Renter Population
From Make the Road New Jersey - Wednesday, September 3, 2025
Yesterday, in a packed City Council meeting, Passaic tenant leaders, housing advocates, community members, and allies, pass one of the strongest rent control ordinances in New Jersey. This new ordinance stabilizes annual rent increases at 3% and eliminates vacancy decontrol, a loophole that allowed unlimited rent hikes when a unit became vacant. With this historic win, Passaic becomes just the fifth city in the state to eliminate vacancy decontrol, protecting more than 4,000 families from displacement.
VLJ August 2025 Volunteer of the Month: Alyssa Bartholomew
This month, Volunteer Lawyers for Justice (VLJ) celebrates Alyssa Bartholomew, an associate in the Family Law Group at Chiesa Shahinian & Giantomasi PC, as our August 2025 Volunteer of the Month. Alyssa first became involved with VLJ last year through her firm and thanks to VLJ Board Trustee Maritza Rodríguez.
Jessica Kitson Interviewed on Issues And Ideas With Chris DeBello
On Friday, August 8, Jessica Kitson, Volunteer Lawyers for Justice’s Director of Legal Advocacy and a member of Freedom Network USA, was interviewed on Issues And Ideas With Chris DeBello.
Jessica Kitson Appointed to New Jersey Coalition Against Human Trafficking Board
NEWARK, NJ – Volunteer Lawyers for Justice (VLJ) is proud to announce that Jessica Kitson, VLJ's Director of Legal Advocacy, has been appointed to the Board of Trustees of the New Jersey Coalition Against Human Trafficking (NJCAHT). This appointment underscores Jessica’s commitment to justice and her compassionate expertise in advocating for survivors.
VLJ July 2025 Volunteer of the Month: Genna Conti
For our July 2025 Volunteer of the Month, Volunteer Lawyers for Justice (VLJ) spotlights Genna Conti. Genna, an associate in the Business & Commercial Litigation Group at Gibbons P.C., lives and breathes the spirit of pro bono, consistently going above and beyond to make a powerful difference in the lives of VLJ clients.
Volunteer Lawyers for Justice Publishes its 2024 Annual Report
How We Do Justice Matters - Excited About the Future
What may be pro bono for a volunteer is a second chance for someone else, and thanks to the efforts of Volunteer Lawyers for Justice volunteer Richard Myslinski (McCarter & English, LLP), that’s exactly what happened.
New Summer 2025 Intern Spotlight: Colleen Wanner
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.
New Summer 2025 Intern Spotlight: Sarah Afromsky
New Summer 2025 Intern Spotlight: Marthalyn Johnson
Volunteer Lawyers for Justice welcomes Marthalyn Johnson to our team as a Summer 2025 intern. Marthalyn is a rising 3L at Rutgers Law School–Newark and will be working with VLJ’s Divorce Program, South Ward Promise Neighborhood Program, and Tenancy Program.
How We Do Justice Matters - A Veteran’s Life Looking Up
At Volunteer Lawyers for Justice, we proudly serve those who served. Through our Veterans Legal Program, we provide holistic civil legal services to veterans who call New Jersey home.
VLJ June 2025 Volunteer of the Month: Morris "Mo" Bauer
Volunteer Lawyers for Justice (VLJ) is delighted to shine its June 2025 Volunteer of the Month spotlight on Morris “Mo” Bauer, a partner in the Business Reorganization & Financial Restructuring Practice Group at Duane Morris LLP, a firm that strongly advocates for pro bono (which Mo has embraced wholeheartedly). At Duane Morris, Mo specializes in representing financially distressed businesses, lenders, and creditors in various proceedings, including out-of-court workouts, bankruptcy litigation, Chapter 11 and Chapter 7 representations, and also serves as a bankruptcy mediator.
VLJ June 2025 Defender of Justice: Saranya Thana
Please join Volunteer Lawyers for Justice in celebrating Saranya Thana, VLJ's Director of Development, as our latest Defender of Justice! While it feels like Saranya has been with us for years, it’s only been six months, further hitting home how impressive her impact has been in such a short amount of time.
Volunteer Lawyers for Justice Announces Officer Elections for its Board of Trustees; Sneha Desai Elected Chair
NEWARK, NJ — Volunteer Lawyers for Justice (VLJ) announces the election of officers to its Board of Trustees, ushering in a new era of leadership dedicated to expanding access to justice for communities experiencing poverty across New Jersey. Sneha Desai, Esq., Chief Legal Counsel, Global Litigation & Employment at Stryker, has been elected Chair of the Board.