Volunteer Lawyers for Justice

𝗔𝗻 𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗵 𝗖𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗯𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴! At Volunteer Lawyers for Justice, we love celebrating. Celebrating the stories we are a part of, celebrating the transformative power of justice, and celebrating the people who make access to justice a reality. It should then come as no surprise that at our 𝘜𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘑𝘶𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘦 Gala this Tuesday, October 7, we look forward to celebrating collaboration and change in New Jersey. Even more, we have seven incredible volunteers to celebrate as our 2025 Defenders of Justice for their significant contributions to VLJ’s programs and mission over the past year: Melisa Desperak – Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati (WSGives) Sonya Dombrowski Steven Kim – Prudential Financial Timothy Law – Reed Smith LLP Mary Frances Palisano – Gibbons P.C. Gary Sapir – K&L Gates Matthew Windman – McCarter & English, LLP These seven represent VLJ's amazing volunteer community, a community that continues to generously donate time and talent in pursuit of a more just New Jersey. Thank you! _____________________________________________ Want to join us for Tuesday’s gala? Grab your tickets now: bit.ly/VLJGala2025 #VLJNJ #CelebrateProBono #ProBono #AccessToJustice #UnitingForJustice #LegalAid #FreeLegalHelp #FreeLegalServices #NewJersey

Please join Volunteer Lawyers for Justice in celebrating Natalie Dallavalle of PSEG, the recipient of our 2025 Michael R. Griffinger Volunteer of the Year Award! For Natalie, pro bono isn’t work—it's a guiding principle. Inspired by her father and brother-in-law (both veterans), Natalie has channeled her passion into VLJ’s Veterans Legal Program, becoming a true "professional problem solver" for those who served our country. Her impact is incredible: •42 veterans helped •Nearly $32,000 worth of free civil legal services donated •Assistance with issues like criminal record expungement, child support, and driver's license restoration—breaking down barriers to stability and security. Natalie’s dedication reminds us that every act of service builds a more just New Jersey, and we are honored to recognize her for embodying the spirit of pro bono. Congratulations, Natalie! _________________________________________________ 𝗖𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗯𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗲 & 𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗔𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗝𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲 Want to celebrate Natalie and support the life-changing work of ensuring access to justice? Join us at our 𝘜𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘑𝘶𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘦 Gala on October 7! Your support empowers programs like the Veterans Legal Program, ensuring more New Jerseyans experiencing poverty—including those who served our country—get the civil legal help they need. 🔗bit.ly/VLJGala2025 #VLJNJ #PSEG #CelebrateProBono #ProBono #ServingThoseWhoServed #AccessToJustice #UnitingForJustice #LegalAid #FreeLegalHelp #FreeLegalServices #NewJersey

Please join Volunteer Lawyers for Justice in honoring Denise Panzer of Lowenstein Sandler LLP, the recipient of our 2025 Outstanding Advocate for Justice Award! For over a decade, Denise has enthusiastically embraced VLJ's mission of ensuring access to justice for people experiencing poverty. As the Pro Bono Administrative Specialist for the Lowenstein Center for the Public Interest, her dedication goes far beyond organizing—she's on the front lines of justice. Denise's extraordinary impact includes: •Eviction Defense: Instrumental in the Tenancy Clinic, providing hands-on support to tenants facing housing insecurity. •Gender Affirming Name Changes: Personally helping dozens of transgender community members navigate the legal process through VLJ’s PRIDE Name Change Program. •Wider Support: Securing help for clients in bankruptcy and providing crucial administrative assistance to a local domestic violence nonprofit. Denise is a testament to the compassionate, transformative power pro bono can have. She doesn't just facilitate, she provides the high-level, personal help and caring touch our clients need and deserve. Congratulations, Denise, and thank you for being an outstanding advocate for justice! ____________________________________ 𝗖𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗯𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗗𝗲𝗻𝗶𝘀𝗲 & 𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗔𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗝𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲 Want to celebrate Denise and support the life-changing work of ensuring access to justice? Join us at our 𝘜𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘑𝘶𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘦 Gala on October 7! Your support empowers VLJ’s diverse legal programs, meaning more New Jerseyans experiencing poverty receive the civil legal help they need. 🔗bit.ly/VLJGala2025 #VLJNJ #LowensteinSandler #CelebrateProBono #ProBono #AccessToJustice #UnitingForJustice #LegalAid #FreeLegalHelp #FreeLegalServices #NewJersey

Housing programs for survivors of #humantrafficking are lifesaving and meet an urgent and immediate need of survivors by providing safety, stability, and the critical support required to heal. Without safe housing options, countless survivors may face homelessness, danger, and the risk of being re-exploited.    Today, September 30, over 100 victim services grants from the U.S. Department of Justice Office for Victims of Crime are going to expire, and new funding opportunities have not been released. Without new funding to replace these grants, thousands of survivors will lose access to lifesaving services. Service providers need YOUR help! Take one minute to contact DOJ leadership TODAY to demand they restore survivor services and release the TVPA funds: https://lnkd.in/epZABWyD #RestoreTheServices #ReleaseTheFunds

Meet Alyssa D'Antonio, Volunteer Lawyers for Justice’s September 2025 Volunteer of the Month! When she's not working as Counsel at Lowenstein Sandler LLP, you can find her volunteering with VLJ's Tenancy Program or running a marathon. Alyssa reminds us that we can "do good with our law degrees," and we couldn't agree more. Her #probono work has a real-world impact, like helping to get an eviction notice dismissed for a client. With enthusiasm for fitness and a fervor for justice, we're proud to have her as part of our volunteer community. Fortunately for the Garden State, Alyssa’s passion for giving back sees her involved with Lowenstein Sandler’s Women’s Initiative Network and volunteering with Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts and the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation. 🔗Read more: https://lnkd.in/etyaDEJx 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗹𝗲𝗴𝗮𝗹 𝘀𝗸𝗶𝗹𝗹𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗴𝗼𝗼𝗱? Get involved with VLJ by contacting Emerald Sheay at esheay@vljnj.org or visiting vljnj.org/why-probono. #VLJNJ #CelebrateProBono #AttorneyVolunteer #ProBonoAttorney #LegalAid #FreeLegalHelp #FreeLegalServices #NewJersey

Volunteer Lawyers for Justice is deeply saddened by the passing of Maureen "Mo" Winograd, a visionary and beloved founding director of VLJ. Mo passed away at the age of 79 on Friday, September 5. Mo's dedication to the legal community in Essex County and beyond was lifelong. She spent over 25 years serving as the Executive Director of the ESSEX COUNTY BAR ASSOCIATION, tirelessly advocating for access to justice and a fierce champion of pro bono. This same passion was foundational to Mo's work with VLJ. In 2000, Mo along with partners at McCarter & English, LLP and Gibbons P.C., saw that the legal services offices in Essex County were overwhelmed with requests for help from community members. Recognizing the untapped potential of the private bar, VLJ’s history began as a subcommittee of the Legal Services Foundation of Essex County thanks to Mo’s leadership with the Foundation. Mo went on to serve on VLJ’s Board of Trustees from 2001-2016. Mo and her memory are etched into the very fabric of our mission. We are profoundly grateful for her foresight, care, and compassion, and will continue doing what she set out to do decades ago: ensure access to justice. Thank you, Mo, and rest peacefully in justice! 🔗Read VLJ's full statement: https://lnkd.in/e_FYaCRd #VLJNJ #ProBono #ECBA #LegalAid #FreeLegalHelp #FreeLegalServices #NewJersey

Want to use your development and fundraising skills for good? Volunteer Lawyers for Justice is hiring a Development Coordinator to join our team in Newark, New Jersey. This hybrid role is a perfect fit for a creative, detail-oriented professional with 3-5 years of development experience. You'll be a key part of our mission to ensure access to justice for people experiencing poverty, helping with fundraising, event planning, grants management, and social media. Important details: •Compensation: $58,000-$65,000 per year (commensurate with experience) •Work-life balance: We operate on a 4-day work week (M-Th) with generous PTO and paid holidays •Start Date: October 14 (flexible) Learn more, including how to apply, at bit.ly/VLJNowHiring. #VLJNJ #ProBono #NowHiring #DevelopmentJobs #FundraisingJobs #NonprofitJobs #NewarkJobs #LegalAid #FreeLegalHelp #FreeLegalServices #NewJersey

"I volunteer with VLJ because I want people who can’t afford legal help to have the same depth of support and resources that someone with means would have," shares Manny Garcia, Director of Equal Opportunity at Prudential Financial. "No one should be at a disadvantage just because they can’t afford to pay for it." At Volunteer Lawyers for Justice, volunteers like Manny are essential to making sure everyone, regardless of their financial situation, has access to justice. Not only does #probono impact our clients, our volunteers also benefit from doing good. Better put by Manny, “Personally, it’s rewarding to play a small part in a team effort that makes a material difference for someone in a tough spot. Professionally, it gives me perspective beyond the day-to-day work and keeps me connected to what really matters, helping people.” Ready to join Manny in making a difference? Get started by contacting Emerald Sheay at esheay@vljnj.org or visiting vljnj.org/why-probono. #VLJNJ #Prudential #CelebrateProBono #AccessToJustice #LegalAid #FreeLegalHelp #FreeLegalServices #NewJersey

𝗪𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱 𝗮 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗽𝗿𝗼 𝗯𝗼𝗻𝗼 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺 𝗮𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗳𝗶𝗿𝗺 𝗼𝗿 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗻𝘆? Join Volunteer Lawyers for Justice and a few friends for our October 20th CLE, “The Pro Bono Blueprint: From Policy to Practice”, part of our #ProBonoWeek celebration. You'll hear from a diverse panel of seasoned professionals on how to create, grow, and sustain an impactful pro bono practice: Moderator Emerald Sheay – Volunteer Lawyers for Justice Speakers Sylvia Ayler – Merck Asad Rizvi – Panasonic North America Amy Woltman – Prudential Financial Natalie Kraner – Lowenstein Sandler LLP Mary Frances Palisano – Gibbons P.C. The CLE, co-sponsored by ACC New Jersey - Association of Corporate Counsel, will cover everything from key ethical rules to practical strategies you can use to implement and nurture a culture of pro bono. This free 90-minute session is a must for anyone looking to make a difference where they work. Plus, you'll earn 1.8 NJ CLE credits (including ethics). Register today and help expand access to justice while celebrating all things pro bono: bit.ly/VLJTrainings #VLJNJ #CelebrateProBono #NationalCelebrationOfProBono #ProBono #AccessToJustice #LegalAid #FreeLegalHelp #FreeLegalServices #NewJersey

Congratulations to Kevin Gilmore on being named a finalist for the 2025 New Jersey Legal Awards’ Pro Bono Lawyer of the Year! Volunteer Lawyers for Justice nominated Kevin, an associate at Gibbons P.C., due to his generous donation of time and talent focusing on two growing and vastly unmet civil legal needs: criminal record expungement and eviction defense. Since beginning his volunteer journey with VLJ in 2018, Kevin has provided over $62,000 worth of free civil legal services, legal services our clients would otherwise not be able to afford. His #probono efforts have resulted in second chances and safe, stable housing for neighbors and community members across New Jersey. The award winners will be announced at the October 30 awards dinner in Morristown: https://lnkd.in/evfKkznn #VLJNJ #CelebrateProBono #GibbonsPC #LegalAid #FreeLegalHelp #FreeLegalServices #NewJersey