Reflecting Backward, Looking Forward | | |
As we finalize our 2024 service metrics, it’s the perfect moment to reflect on the past year and share how we plan to tackle the challenges and seize the opportunities that lie ahead. 2024 underscored a hard truth: families and communities continue to struggle; many times, being forced to choose between what necessities they can afford and how to pay for them. Seeing the need for civil legal services grow, Volunteer Lawyers for Justice's dedicated team of staff and volunteers worked tirelessly to provide critical legal help to our neighbors across New Jersey.
Our client community is already feeling the impacts of the new administration’s policies and executive actions. If proposed cuts to Medicaid, SNAP, VA benefits, and other vital services move forward, even more families could be pushed into poverty, making them more vulnerable to civil legal challenges.
VLJ uses means testing for our client services and in 2024, 67% of our clients had incomes below 150% of the poverty line—less than $30,660 a year for a family of two! Imagine if you had to live on less than $30,660 a year in New Jersey. How would you prioritize your spending? For most, hiring a lawyer to fight a wrongful eviction, contest an improper garnishment, or clear a criminal record would be out of reach. This is the harsh reality our clients face every day.
It is also where VLJ steps in. We fight to ensure people experiencing poverty have access to justice. With 24 years of experience in collaborative efforts for change, we understand we can’t do this alone. Whether you're a longtime volunteer, a loyal donor, or someone just learning about our mission, your support is vital.
Together, we can ensure justice is decided on the merits of a case, not on one’s ability to afford it.
Thank you for your continued support and belief in our mission!
| | How We Do Justice Matters | | A Veteran’s Journey to a Fresh Start | | |
“I want to thank Volunteer Lawyers for Justice for their services. I am very appreciative of all that you guys do. This record was from 25 years ago and it was something so small. I did not go to jail nor prison and unbeknownst to me it would follow me like a thorn in my side. It was something so simple in which the police and prosecutor told me I just had to pay a fine and it will be taken care of. But what I did not know is that it would be a mark on my record. This record caused undue stress and delay in a lot of processes such as going through background checks for employment opportunities, filing for my passport, and even getting items mailed to my house.
Often times, I had to go to the local police department to get the clearance for the items to be shipped to my house. Back then when I had originally tried to get this off of my record it was before there were computers and things were in filing cabinets. So, it was just a hassle so I let it go for sometime. But I just decided that I would try again so that is when I reached out to VLJ and the attorney that I worked with was so knowledgeable and very professional, and it was very comforting working with him as he made it appeared that getting the record expunged would be a walk in the park. I want to thank VLJ for the services that you guys have provided, now that my expungement has been granted it feels like a weight lifted off of my shoulders. Thank you so much VLJ!”
| | Because how we do justice matters. | | |
Join VLJ on Monday, May 19 at Essex Fells Country Club for our annual golf outing, The Long Drive for Justice!
Have a memorable day on the green where every swing supports VLJ’s mission of ensuring access to justice for people experiencing poverty. Whether you’re an avid golfer or beginner, this event promises fun for all skill levels, and your participation will help us drive justice forward.
| | But don't delay! The deadline to register—if you want a forecaddie—is April 28. | | VLJ's February 2025 Volunteer of the Month: Ashleigh White | | |
Ashleigh White is a dedicated Senior Compliance Paralegal at BASF Corporation, where she provides legal support to the Compliance, Employment, and Privacy Group. With an ABA Paralegal Certification from Fairleigh Dickinson University, a BS in Business Administration from Centenary University, and as a candidate for a Master of Legal Studies from Fordham Law School, Ashleigh is a legal powerhouse. If that weren’t enough, Ashleigh is a member of the National Association of Legal Assistance, Society of Corporate Compliance and Ethics, and the National Association of Black Compliance & Risk Management Professionals.
Through her work at BASF, Ashleigh first became involved with VLJ assisting BASF Assistant General Counsel Cristina Baragona with Veterans Affairs benefits appeals. This sparked a meaningful relationship with VLJ, and as the saying goes, “the rest is history.” For Ashleigh, the most rewarding aspect of volunteering is the relationships she builds:
“I love connecting with our clients at VLJ. Walking into a room full of lawyers and discussing sensitive topics can be intimidating. I always try and find a way to connect with our clients and help them know they are heard and seen and that we will do our best to provide them with guidance and advice. Many of the clients we served at the VA hospital in South Orange were from Essex County; I am also an Essex County native and always talked with clients during intake to share favorite locations, neighborhoods, restaurants, etc. I always want clients to feel they can trust VLJ volunteers.”
| | New Program Spotlight: PRIDE Name Change Program | | VLJ's Eric W. Hughes, Jill Heredia Lopera, Karen Robinson, and Diana Onuschak. | | |
VLJ is proud to announce the launch of its new PRIDE Name Change Program, a collaborative effort with Merck, Rutgers Law School, and Emanuel Lutheran Church. This initiative aims to provide free legal assistance to New Jersey residents seeking to legally change their names, with a focus on serving transgender, nonbinary, and non-cisgender community members with no and low incomes.
The PRIDE (Promoting Rights, Identity, Dignity, and Equality) Name Change Program helps those who qualify with New Jersey’s legal name change process, including:
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- Free legal consultations
- Assistance with applications for legal name change and e-filing with court
- Guidance on updating legal documents post-name change
"At Volunteer Lawyers for Justice, we believe everyone deserves access to justice, especially when it comes to affirming one's identity," said Cathy Keenan, VLJ’s Executive Director. "The PRIDE Name Change Program recognizes there is not only justice in one’s name and identity, but power as well, and the program will help remove barriers and streamline support for New Jersey residents seeking to change their name, opening up opportunities that otherwise would be closed due to confusing paperwork or complicated systems."
The program will be staffed by volunteer attorneys from VLJ's pro bono partner, Merck with support from Rutgers Law School students and faculty. New Jersey residents interested in VLJ’s PRIDE Name Change Program can apply online at www.vljnj.org/get-help or call (973) 645-1955.
| | Settlement of Lawsuit Against the New Jersey State Police Over Expungement Delays | | |
In March, the New Jersey Office of the Public Defender (NJOPD) announced a settlement with the New Jersey State Police (NJSP), ending an ongoing lawsuit over claims the NJSP failed to promptly process expungement orders and clear criminal records as required by law. Some important settlement highlights:
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Timely Processing Commitment: As of June 1, the NJSP has committed to have processed, and continue processing moving forward, all expungement orders within 120 days of receipt. In cases where possible, the goal is to complete the process within 90 days.
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Notice of Additional Information: If an order requires more information, the NJSP will notify applicants and their attorneys (or NJOPD if unrepresented) and prioritize processing once the required details are provided.
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New Online Portal: Petitioners can track the status of their expungement orders, enhancing transparency and keeping them informed. 🔗https://expungement.njsp.gov/
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Monthly Reports: NJSP will release detailed monthly reports on expungement processing statistics, publicly posted over an 18-month period.
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Ongoing Monitoring: NJSP’s expungement processing will be subject to continuous monitoring and auditing.
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Litigation Resolution: The case is expected to be dismissed with prejudice by September 2026, contingent on continued compliance with settlement terms.
VLJ is tremendously grateful to the NJOPD for initiating the class action litigation on behalf of plaintiffs like those our ReLeSe (Reentry Legal Services) Program serves.
Karen Robinson, Managing Attorney of VLJ’s ReLeSe Program, remarked, “Our expungement petitioners have waited months, sometimes years, to reap the full benefit that expungement relief provides. An online portal to view the status of their case gives petitioners access to critical information, and the timely processing of final orders ensures they have access to justice.”
| | New Faces, Rising Stars: VLJ Staff Updates | | | | Emerald Sheay - Staff Attorney | Joining VLJ this past March, Emerald focuses on pro bono recruitment, training, and case placement. She also supports VLJ’s Divorce Program and PRIDE Name Change Program. | | |
Prior to joining VLJ, Emerald practiced family law, and clerked for the Honorable Lisa F. Chrystal, P.J.F.P. at the Superior Court of New Jersey – Family Division in Union County. Emerald also volunteered with VLJ’s Divorce Program while in private practice.
Emerald is especially passionate about advocating for those without access to the judicial process, including children and animals. Emerald currently sits as the Co-Chair of the New Jersey State Bar Association’s Animal Welfare Committee. She has published articles on family law, animal law, and empathetic lawyering in the Animal Law Review, New Jersey Lawyer Magazine, and New Jersey Family Lawyer.
Emerald earned a bachelor’s degree summa cum laude in music from Rowan University and a Juris Doctorate cum laude from Seton Hall Law School, where she received the “Dean’s Award” upon graduation. She is admitted to practice in New Jersey and the United States District Court of New Jersey.
Outside of VLJ, Emerald performs with professional chamber choir Vocala Ensemble, and is an active member of the Union County Bar Association.
| | Hot Off the Digital Press:
VLJ's Pro Bono Blog | | Are you an aspiring legal blogger? Then consider writing for VLJ's pro bono blog! Email Eric W. Hughes, VLJ's Director of Communications, to learn more. | | | | VLJ's pro bono blog is generously supported by 9Sail. | | Support Access to Justice | | Opportunities to Sponsor VLJ Events and Pro Bono Programming | | |
Sponsor and Supporter Recognition
Thank you to our recent grantors, first-time corporate supporters, and major individual donors!
| | Ensuring Access to Justice for People Experiencing Poverty | | Connect with Volunteer Lawyers for Justice | | | | |
