





Celebrating the Names and Faces of Pro Bono







Celebrating the Names and Faces of Pro Bono
In 2024, families and communities continued to struggle while making impossible choices about how to afford housing, food, and healthcare. Seeing the need for civil legal services grow, Volunteer Lawyers for Justice (VLJ)’s staff and volunteers provided life-changing legal help to our neighbors across New Jersey. Notable highlights include:
• We handled 1,861 unique cases, impacting 4,491 people.
• A record-breaking 665 volunteers embraced our motto of “Taking Cases. Changing Lives.”, making 2024 the year with the highest volunteer participation in VLJ’s history!
• VLJ’s Legacy of Justice Endowment Campaign surpassed its $500,000 match goal, seeing 43 generous donors contribute $519,750. With David J. Bershad and Mindy A. Cohen fulfilling the final $500,000 of their $1 million pledge, total endowment pledges reached an impressive $1,519,750, helping to ensure VLJ’s future for years and hopefully decades to come
• VLJ successfully piloted a groundbreaking four-day work week (4DWW), transforming the way we work and significantly boosting productivity We tracked key performance metrics and collaborated with researchers from Boston College to assess the program ' s effectiveness, with remarkable results Staff experienced substantial improvements in health, wellness, and job satisfaction, while burnout rates plummeted Most impressively, VLJ staff delivered 20% more client services compared to the same period the previous year, showcasing the program ' s potential to drive both personal and organizational success. Given these outstanding outcomes, VLJ’s Board of Trustees and leadership team made the 4DWW a long-term fixture of the organization.
• In collaboration with the Lowenstein Center for the Public Interest, Rutgers Law, and Seton Hall Law, VLJ published an eye-opening report on the urgent need for reform in New Jersey’s landlord-tenant courts. The report revealed that 69% of eviction cases had at least one legal deficiency and as many as 29,000 tenant families may face eviction judgments in cases where the court lacks jurisdiction. This powerful report has already sparked meaningful change in the court system.
67% of VLJ’s clients in 2024 had incomes below 150% of the poverty line less than $30,660 a year for a family of two! With rising costs and proposed cuts to vital services on the horizon, even more families could be pushed into poverty this year When families are forced to make hard choices on how to spend their money, most cannot prioritize hiring an attorney, even for critical issues
That’s where VLJ steps in Increasing access to free civil legal services can prevent manageable issues from spiraling into larger, catastrophic problems, protecting families facing eviction, seniors overwhelmed by medical debt, veterans fighting for stability, and more. VLJ’s power lies in the spirit of our staff, the dedication of our volunteers, the generosity of our donors, and the strength of our clients. As you read VLJ’s 2024 Annual Report and learn more about the names and faces of those using the law to fight for justice across New Jersey, we invite you to stand with us in 2025 and support our mission of ensuring access to justice for people experiencing poverty.
Cathy Keenan Tricia O’Reilly
Executive Director Chair, Board of Trustees
665 6,042 $2.2
volunteers donated
Goal:1,750 1,861 cases handled 4,491 people impacted (including 1,661 children)
Divorce
Goal:1,750 2% Trafficking-related
1,860*
1,618* / 87% of VLJ’s clients identified as Asian, Black, Hispanic, Indigenous, or Latino/a/x *of those who reported racial identity 1,140 / 61% identified as female 360 / 19% served in the U.S. military
In 2024, VLJ launched the 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 Name Change Program helps with New Jersey’s legal name change process, including free legal consultations, assistance with applications for legal name change and e-filing with the applicable court, and guidance on updating legal documents post-name change.
“I was connected with Volunteer Lawyers for Justice through another organization. It started with a quick phone call and soon after there was an in-person opportunity to be guided through the formal application. By the end of the following week I had filed my request with the state! Having that guidance for the first step of the name change process was an absolute blessing.”
- Emmy, a VLJ client
In 2024, several VLJ partners and volunteers were recognized for their achievements in pro bono
Nukk-Freeman & Cerra, P.C. (NFC) was recognized as a NJBIZ Leaders in Law Pro Bono honoree for their efforts holistically serving those who served.
Prudential Financial’s Law, Compliance, Business Ethics and External Affairs (LCBE) Team won the Essex County Bar Association’s Bernard A. Kuttner Pro Bono Service Award and the American Bar Association’s Pro Bono Publico Award
PSEG, Gibbons P.C., McCarter & English, LLP, and Volunteer Lawyers for Justice were awarded the 2024 CPBO Pro Bono Partner Award for VLJ’s Veterans Legal Program and efforts serving those who served.
Volunteer Michael Conforti with Gibbons P.C. was awarded the New Jersey State Bar Association’s Distinguished New Lawyer Award
moment in their story For Lamar, VLJ is as much a part of his
beginning as a community member in need of legal help to en struggling a lot since 2014, going in and out of and a lawsuit trying to collect on a debt that wasn’t mine I
While I don’t recall how I found VLJ, I’m glad I did, because on three different occasions VLJ helped me. One case involved an alleged debt of $64,000. I met with a volunteer attorney at the courthouse, and even before the office opened the volunteer sat with me and reviewed the complaint. To think, my name wasn’t even on the complaint, but as a layperson, I didn’t know what information I should be looking for. The volunteer wrote down notes for me about the statute of limitations and other important things I should know. It took him about ten minutes to write everything up, and using the legal advice I had just received, my case was dismissed.
“That volunteer attorney helped me tremendously, and having that lawsuit taken care of improved my life. In fact, that attorney sparked inspiration that I too could have a future in the law.“
er. I eventually secured permanent housing, and that made ar, but I didn’t have any motivation. I didn’t know anything ctions I had with VLJ’s volunteer lawyers showed me what
Upon graduating law school, I secured a position as an assistant prosecutor in New Jersey and I began volunteering with VLJ. As a product of Newark, I have a lot of empathy for people doing their best while facing compounding issues. I’m from here and I know how hard it is to find a lawyer to help. Now, as a lawyer passionate about public service, I’m looking forward to paying justice forward.”
VLJ is powered by the work of volunteers, and we are grateful to the 665 volunteers who generously contributed their skills and efforts in 2024 to ensuring access to justice.
We give special recognition to the volunteers below who reported 25 or more hours of service.
Andrew Alessandro Gibbons P.C.
Hannah Argul Sussan, Greenwald & Wesler
Pierre Avalos Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP
Cristina Baragona BASF Corporation
Nydia Benders
Julia Browning Gibbons P C
Eric Chafetz Lowenstein Sandler LLP
Diane Claussen Lowenstein Sandler LLP
Michael Conforti Gibbons P.C.
Amara Conteh Wilson Sonsini Goodrich Rosati
Danielle Craft
Kathleen DeCelie Prudential Financial
Linda Dennis Prudential Financial
Melisa Desperak Wilson Sonsini Goodrich Rosati
Paul Dritsas McCarter & English, LLP
Michael Fasciale McCarter & English, LLP
Hillary Freeman Freeman Law Offices
Christine Gaddis Gibbons P C
Gianni Garyfallos McCarter & English, LLP
Kevin Gilmore Gibbons P.C.
Johanna Ginsberg
Sussan, Greenwald & Wesler
Brigitte Gladis Chiesa Shahinian & Giantomasi PC
Laura Gonzalez
Ryan Goodwin Gibbons P.C.
Staci Greenwald Sussan, Greenwald & Wesler
Marissa Groenendaal Chiesa Shahinian & Giantomasi PC
Jessica L. Guarracino Gibbons P C
Griselda Hodaj Gibbons P.C.
Christina Holder Lowenstein Sandler LLP
Nathan Howe K&L Gates
Ali Ismail Lowenstein Sandler LLP
Mark Jensen Kim Law Firm LLC
Matthew Jokajtys PSEG
Joshua Kass Prudential Financial
Eliyahu Kaweblum Kim Law Firm LLC
Brendan Kelly Gibbons P C
Natalie Kraner Lowenstein Sandler LLP
Susan Kritzmacher Gibbons P.C.
Stephen Kunen Palo Alto Networks
Karen Lerner Kirby McInerney LLP
Alex Lipton Lowenstein Sandler LLP
Stephen Marietta Gibbons P C
Marie Mathews Chiesa Shahinian & Giantomasi PC
Lauren Mauro McCarter & English, LLP
Maryann McGrath AT&T
Danielle "Dani" Morrison DLA Piper
Jeanelly Nuñez Chiesa Shahinian & Giantomasi PC
Jake T. O'Donnell O'Donnell McCoy Buerle
Kevin O'Toole McCarter & English, LLP
Tonia Ouellette Klausner Wilson Sonsini Goodrich Rosati
Mary Frances Palisano Gibbons P C
Michelle Pallak McCarter & English, LLP
Danielle Prebor Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP
Leila Purqurian Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati
Carissa L Rodrigue McCarter & English, LLP
Han Lin Rong
Gary Sapir K&L Gates
Meredith Schalick Rutgers Law School
Noemi Schor Lowenstein Sandler LLP
Ellen Schwartz
Jacob Shulman McCarter & English, LLP
Stacey Slater Pro Bono Strategies
Joan Thomas Sussan, Greenwald & Wesler
Christopher Vanderwolk Savoy Associates
Denise Verzella Manes & Weinberg
Eric Weinstock Lowenstein Sandler LLP
Catherine Weiss Lowenstein Sandler LLP
Makenzie Windfelder McCarter & English, LLP
Matthew Windman McCarter & English, LLP
Amy Woltman Prudential Financial
In February 2024, VLJ announced that David J. Bershad and Mindy A. Cohen pledged a $1,000,000 gift in support of its mission to ensure access to justice for people experiencing poverty. David and Mindy’s generous contribution enabled VLJ to create an endowment, ensuring the longevity of the organization and the sustainability of its finances in the wake of unforeseen circumstances.
As part of their commitment, David and Mindy donated $500,000 toward their pledge while challenging others to commit to the endowment. When the endowment reached $1,000,000, David and Mindy would donate their second $500,000.
As of November 2024, VLJ successfully met the $500,000 match goal for the Legacy of Justice Endowment Campaign. This achievement was made possible through the generous support of 43 donors who collectively contributed $519,750 to the campaign, elevating the endowment to over $1,500,000 an unprecedented milestone in ensuring our sustained impact.
-David J. Bershad and Mindy A. Cohen
AbbVie
David J. Bershad and Mindy A. Cohen
Susan V. Bershad
William and Bleema Bershad
Brian Biglin
Peter Herbert Chapman
Chiesa Shahinian & Giantomasi PC
Matthew Clements
Donald and Marla Cussen
Daniel D'Alessandro
Dell, Inc.
Sneha and Anand Desai
Wendy Feldman
Catherine Fitch
Gibbons P.C.
Joseph Giovannoli
Michael Golden
Michael and Jane Griffinger
Naomi Grobstein and Peter Walker
Michael Hyun
Cathy Keenan and John Larson
Tonia Ouellette Klausner
Jaclyn Kramer and Frank Molfetta
William Krovatin
Kelly and Chessley Lankford
Mandelbaum Salsburg Charitable Foundation
Judith McCarthy
Merck & Co.
Midway Investors LLC
Tracy and Jeff Nelson
Notaboat Fund
Tricia and John O'Reilly
Orkila Management LLC
Richmond Rabinowitz
Maritza Rodríguez
Mark and Tobi Rubin
Karen and Eric Sacks
Tracey Salmon-Smith
David Sands
Eric Schwimmer and Alyce Gottesman
Jeffrey and Beth Shapiro
Stacey Slater and Jonathan Sacks
Kaitlyn E. Stone and David DeStefano
Timeless Treasures Fabrics of Soho, LLC
Catherine Trinkle
Kevin Weber
The Leonard and Robert Weintraub Family Foundation
Melissa and Aaron Wernick
Thanks to committed donors, VLJ is able to provide life-changing civil legal help throughout New Jersey. While VLJ’s services are free to its clients, our legal services are not free to coordinate and this group of supporters ensured VLJ could train and support new volunteers, educate community members about their rights, and provide civil legal help to New Jerseyans who otherwise would not be able to afford an attorney.
$100,000+
David J Bershad and Mindy A Cohen ** FurtherJustice
Merck & Co. **
Prudential Financial **
State of New Jersey *
The Tepper Foundation *
$50,000-$99,999
Bershad Family Foundation **
The IOLTA Fund of the Bar of New Jersey ** McCarter & English, LLP **
New Jersey Pandemic Relief Fund * New Jersey State Bar Foundation
Panasonic Corporation of North America **
PSEG Foundation **
Seton Hall Law School
The Leonard and Robert Weintraub Family Foundation
$25,000-$49,999
BASF Corporation **
Bressler, Amery & Ross, P C ** Columbia Bank * Gibbons, PC *
Michael and Jane Griffinger **
Lowenstein Sandler LLP ** Notaboat Fund **
South Ward Promise Neighborhood ** Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP ** WilmerHale **
$10,000-$24,999
American College of Bankruptcy Foundation **
Arnold & Porter Kaye Scholer LLP
AT&T Services, Inc **
Barnes & Thornburg *
Susan V. Bershad Charitable Fund Inc.
Beveridge & Diamond PC
Cleary Gottlieb *
Debevoise & Plimpton LLP *
Dentons US LLP **
DLA Piper **
Eisai USA Foundation **
Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP **
Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer *
Friedman Kaplan Seiler Adelman LLP *
Hogan Lovells US, LLP *
$10,000-$24,999 cont.
The Hyde & Watson Foundation *
King & Spalding LLP **
Kirkland & Ellis LLP **
Tonia Ouellette Klausner *
Leader Berkon Colao & Silverstein LLP **
Midway Investors LLC
Morgan, Lewis & Bockius **
Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP ** Pfizer *
RBC Wealth Management **
Eric Schwimmer and Alyce Gottesman **
Seyfarth Shaw LLP *
Stacey Slater and Jonathon Sacks * Turrell Fund *
Verizon Business Group * Walsh Pizzi O'Reilly Falanga **
Winston & Strawn LLP **
$5,000-$9,999
9Sail
Baker McKenzie
Bates White
Preet Bharara
Butler Snow LLP
Chiesa Shahinian & Giantomasi PC ** Consilio, LLC **
Donald and Marla Cussen **
D'Arcambal Ousley & Cuyler Burk * Dell, Inc. **
Sneha and Anand Desai **
Joseph DiPrima **
doeLEGAL *
Firm Advice
Fisher Phillips **
Gann Law Books **
Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher **
Goldman Ismail Tomaselli Brennan & Baum LLP *
Greenberg Traurig, LLP
Mala Ahuja Harker *
Irwin Fritchie Urquhart & Moore LLC **
Jones Day *
* indicates 3-5 years ** indicates 6 or more years
$5,000-$9,999 cont.
Jaclyn Kramer and Frank Molfetta **
Latham & Watkins
The Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights
Mayer Brown
McGuireWoods LLP **
NJM Insurance Group **
Ogletree Deakins
Tricia and John O'Reilly **
Richmond Rabinowitz **
Reed Smith LLP
Stevens & Lee
Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz *
Melissa and Aaron Wernick *
Wiley Rein LLP *
Gary and Helene Wingens
Amy Woltman **
Wong Fleming *
$2,500-$4,999
AbbVie
Barnes, Richardson & Coburn *
Richard Bernstein
Calcagni & Kanefsky
Catholic Family and Community Services *
Sandra Chamberlin and Paul Michaels
Catherine Fitch **
Rich Flaum
Joseph Gordon *
Joseph Guarino
Marc Haefner **
Richard Hamilton
Michael Hindley
Jessica Hodkinson **
Matthew and Keri Holian *
Nicholas Insua **
Cathy Keenan and John Larson **
Kelly and Chessley Lankford **
Judith McCarthy **
Howard and Peggy Menaker **
MultiState *
The Karen & Eric Sacks Charitable Fund *
Jeffrey and Beth Shapiro **
Kaitlyn E. Stone and David DeStefano **
Jack Vales *
John and Elizabeth Wellschlager **
The Westbrook Foundation *
Jeffrey J Wild
The Wissert/Polini Family Fund
$1,000-$2,499
Baker, Sterchi, Cowden & Rice
Roseann Baska
Froma and Andrew Benerofe *
Marianne Benevenia **
Lynda Bennett
Bristol Myers Squibb
Catalent Pharma
Peter Herbert Chapman
Matthew Clements *
Counsel Press
Daniel D'Alessandro
Kathleen P DeCelie
Laurel Dumont
Wendy Feldman *
Paul Fishman *
FTI Consulting
Melissa Geist
Diane Gelman and Michael Lichtenstein
Joseph Giovannoli
Marc Goldberg
The Andrew and Carol Golden Fund *
Michael Golden **
Greenbaum Rowe Smith & Davis LLP *
The Naomi Grobstein and Peter Walker Fund
Alycia Guichard
The Katherine Lindsay Howell Fund
Michael Hyun *
Javerbaum Wurgraft Hicks Kahn
Wikstrom & Sinins, P.C.
Kean Miller **
Bernard Keenan **
Phyllis and Mark Kesslen
Natalie Kraner
William Krovatin **
Adam Kushner **
Debra Levin *
Erika Lopes-McLeman
Ronald Machen, Jr.
Mandelbaum Barrett PC
Manko, Gold, Katcher & Fox, LLP
Tracy and Jeff Nelson **
Novartis
John Partridge
Jeffrey Perry *
Nicholas Potter
Price, Meese, Shulman & D'arminio, PC *
Ellen Rader Smith **
Maritza Rodríguez *
Warren and Karen Ross *
Mark and Tobi Rubin **
Tracey Salmon-Smith
Ronnie Stern **
Timeless Treasures Fabrics of Soho LLC
Cathy Trinkle *
Veritext *
Kevin Weber **
Alvin Weiss **
Sonja Weissman
Jonathan Wishnia
Edward Zimmerman
$250-$999
AdvanSix Inc Charity Custodial
Colm Atkins *
Yessica Auringer
Steve Barrett
Charles Baxter
Brian Biglin
Lisa Boccassini *
Brach Eichler LLC *
Kristina Bunch
Jennifer Buneta
Jamie Campisi
Michael Campolongo
William Carlucci
Cole Schotz P.C.
Matthew Coleman *
Deirdre Cooney *
The Leon and Toby Cooperman
Family Foundation
Covington & Burling LLP *
Katherine Daniel
Jonathan Danziger
Nicholas Delaney
Michael DePalma *
Nina DePalma
Rina Dhopeshwarkar *
Marianne Espinosa
Cesar Estela
Paul Fehlner
William Frese **
Peter Gosule
SueCarol Greene-Buckner
Susan Halpern
Jonah Hiller
Robert Holup
Ruby Hope *
Nathan Howe
Eric Jesse
Emily A. Kaller *
Ann Kappler **
Lorena Kern
$250-$999 cont.
Stephen Kornas
Anne Kunzman
Anjelica La Furno
Michael Labson
Jessica Limbacher **
Christopher Liotta
Lum Drasco & Positan LLC *
Megan Lyons
Heather MacKenzie
John Malchow
George McDonald *
Susan and Michael McGahan **
James McGann
Lucinda Mercer *
James Mizgala
Matthew Moloshok
Alfonse Muglia
NJPAC *
Nukk-Freeman & Cerra, P C
Kevin O'Keefe
Pashman Stein Walder Hayden P.C. **
Jazmine Perry
Courtney Posner
Jennifer Prioleau **
Jason Redd
Kevin Reich *
Renaissance Charitable Foundation
Asad Rizvi
Margo Rosenberg *
Ned Rosenberg *
DeVonne Salliey
Melissa Sarsten Po
Ryan Savercool *
Ryan Shaffer
Sidley Austin *
Peter Slocum
Diane K Smith *
Michelle Smith **
Alyssa Spector **
Stryker
Raymond Thek
Thompson Hine
T-Mobile
John Todaro *
Eric Toder
Stephen Turner
Eric Wei
Joanne Weiss
Aurielle Wilderman
Melissa Wiley
The 2024 Arts & Eats for Justice Gala made VLJ history:
Melissa Williams **
Andrea Wnuk
Alan Wovsaniker *
Michelle Yang
Thomas Zelante
Donald and Joan Zief **
Named in honor of VLJ's founding executive director, the society recognizes individuals who donated a cumulative $10,000 or more to VLJ
Thank you for your generosity!
$1,992,398 $664,133 $2,656,531
Tricia O’Reilly, Esq., Chair Partner, Walsh Pizzi O’Reilly Falanga LLP
Sneha Desai, Esq., Vice Chair Chief Legal Counsel, Global Litigation & Employment, Stryker
Matthew Clements, Treasurer Senior Vice President, Columbia Bank
Kaitlyn E. Stone, Esq., Secretary Partner, Barnes & Thornburg LLP
Daniel D’Alessandro, Esq. Partner, McCarter & English, LLP
Wendy Feldman, Esq. Senior In-House Lawyer/SpecialistData Privacy, A&O Shearman
Catherine Fitch, Esq. Managing Counsel, Patents, Merck
Joe Giovannoli Founder & CEO, 9Sail
Michael Golden, Esq. Asst. VP-Senior Legal Counsel, AT&T
Mala Ahuja Harker, Esq. Partner, Friedman Kaplan Seiler Adelman & Robbins LLP
Jessica Hodkinson, Esq. Chief Legal Officer and Corporate Secretary, Panasonic North America
Michael Hyun, Esq. Vice President-Procurement and Deputy General Counsel, PSEG
Nicholas Insua, Esq. Partner, Reed Smith LLP
Cathy Keenan, JD (ex-officio) Executive Director, Volunteer Lawyers for Justice
Kelly Lloyd Lankford, Esq. Senior Counsel, Commercial Litigation, AbbVie
Judith McCarthy, Esq. Attorney, Cheshire Law Group
Howard Menaker, Esq.
Jennifer Prioleau, Esq.
Maritza Rodríguez, Esq. Rodríguez Law Firm, LLC
Tracey Salmon-Smith, Esq. Partner, Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP
Eric Schwimmer, Esq. Senior Counsel, Seyfarth Shaw
Jeffrey M. Shapiro, Esq. Partner, Lowenstein Sandler LLP
Stacey Slater, Esq. President and Founder, Pro Bono Strategies
Catherine A. Trinkle, Esq. VP and Deputy General Counsel, BASF
Kevin Weber, Esq. Director, Gibbons P.C.
Melissa F. Wernick, Esq. Member, Chiesa Shahinian & Giantomasi PC
Amy Woltman, Esq. VP & Chief Legal Officer, Retirement Strategies, Prudential Financial
David J. Bershad
Michael R. Griffinger, Esq.
Generation Now Committee members are early-career professionals (less than 12 years out of school) who are passionate about VLJ’s mission and giving back in a meaningful way.
Abigail M. Luhn, Esq., Co-Chair Associate, Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP
Brandon Lee Wolff, Esq., Co-Chair Solo Practitioner
Brandon DeJesus, Esq. Associate, Dasti & Staiger, P C
Yvette Donaldson, Esq. Associate, Eckert Seamans Cherin & Mellott, LLC
Robert Holup, Esq. Associate, Riker Danzig LLP
Jordynn Jackson, Esq. Associate, Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney PC
Lauren B. Jones, Esq. Associate, Javerbaum Wurgaft Hicks
Leonard V. Jones, Esq. Associate, Jackson Lewis P C
Taylor Tufano Digital Strategist, 9Sail
Thomas Zelante, Esq. Associate, Barnes & Thornburg LLP
Coordinatin has grown from a small, Essex ce its inception, VLJ has relie vices to families with no oth representation, there has ne
A cornersto the support volunteers bono mana we have a s every legal provide a fu volunteers, preparation skilled ment malpractice insurance on all VLJ referrals
unded human s, yet is one of the upt the drivers of s address critical urity, family pendence, ietal well-being, e rule of law ces organizations return on investment by transforming lives and strengthening communities