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This holiday season, you can give the gift of justice by supporting Volunteer Lawyers for Justice with a year-end gift.
And, thanks to Board Trustee Jennifer Prioleau, your donation now through the end of the year will be matched, up to $5,000!
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Michael Golden, Asst. VP-Senior Legal Counsel At AT&T, Joins Volunteer Lawyers For Justice’s Board Of Trustees |  | |
Volunteer Lawyers for Justice is thrilled to announce the addition of Michael Golden to its Board of Trustees. Michael, currently Assistant Vice President-Senior Legal Counsel at AT&T, brings to the board a wealth of legal expertise, years of pro bono, and a deep commitment to VLJ’s mission.
Michael earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA) from Boston University and a Juris Doctor from Georgetown University Law Center. Ever a servant of his community, Michael is a past president of the Springfield Lions Club, having been involved with the club over the last five years. Michael’s service to his Springfield community further shows how generous he is with his time and talent. Indeed, Michael has been donating his time and talent with VLJ since 2013, enthusiastically supporting VLJ's Debt Relief Legal Program to the tune of volunteering more than 214 hours.
Cathy Keenan, VLJ’s Executive Director, had this to say on Michael’s appointment to the board: “Volunteering since 2013 and providing over 214 hours of pro bono, if that doesn’t show dedication to Volunteer Lawyers for Justice and our work, then I don’t know what does. Michael Golden is a prime example of how the best volunteers are often eventually called to serve in a greater capacity; Michael regularly answered the call to volunteer, and he has generously and graciously answered the call once more. As someone who knows VLJ and knows the communities we serve, I am excited to see how Michael’s leadership on the board will guide VLJ and its clients to success in its second decade.”
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VLJ’s Alexandra Bravo Selected As One Of The New Jersey Law Journal’s 2023 Diverse Attorneys Of The Year | |
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The New Jersey Law Journal’s Diverse Attorneys of the Year honors diverse attorneys in New Jersey making an impact at a law firm, courtroom, in-house legal department, government agency or public interest organization. Further, the Diverse Attorneys of the Year recognizes the impact these attorneys have on the profession in all its forms, whether it is resolving a significant case or transaction, leading a department through a difficult stretch, or helping change policy. The New Jersey Law Journal sought to highlight the honorees’ accomplishments over the past two years, with demonstrable excellence and accomplishment during that time frame being key to a strong nomination. The New Jersey Law Journal, in their email to Alexandra announcing her selection as one of its Diverse Attorneys of the Year, said, "We received a number of impressive nominations. The recognition is well earned."
VLJ congratulates Alexandra on this well-earned and well-deserved recognition! Alexandra's journey speaks to not only her story, but that of those who came before her. Her parents, determined to find a better life for themselves and realize the “American dream,” immigrated from Peru. Her parents’ journey to the United States underscores Alexandra’s deep appreciation and gratitude for the opportunities she has been given along with the importance of helping those who, in their own way, strive for a better life.
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*Please note, an ALM digital membership may be required to access the two above links. | |
A Client Story - What Ensuring Access to Justice for People Experiencing Poverty Looks Like | | |
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“Margaret”* originally came to Volunteer Lawyers for Justice (VLJ) over 20 years ago seeking help expunging her criminal record, contained on microfiche no less, when she met with a team of lawyers in Newark. At the time, Margaret had two felonies, and this was long before New Jersey passed its expansive expungement laws. | |
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After meeting with the team of attorneys, Margaret found out she was ineligible for expungement even though the attorneys described her as “the poster child” for having her record expunged. Even with Margaret having turned her life around, being in school for a degree in human services, and zealously pursuing a career, sadly, the law would not be of help. The attorneys recommended Margaret pursue clemency from the governor; Margaret completed the clemency petition, collected over 200 signatures, and mailed it to the Governor of New Jersey at the time. Nothing. No word and no clemency.
To read what happened when Margaret came back to VLJ in 2020 and worked with volunteer attorney Debra Levin, click or tap the button below.
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*The name and photo of the client have been changed to protect their privacy and ensure confidentiality. | |
Linda Dennis is VLJ's December 2023 Volunteer of the Month | |
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In the bustling realm of Prudential Financial's Law, Compliance, Business Ethics and External Affairs department, Linda Dennis, an executive assistant with an impressive 27-year tenure, stands out as a beacon of giving back through pro bono and community service. Recognizing the incredible work Linda does ensuring access to justice for people experiencing poverty, Volunteer Lawyers for Justice celebrates and cheerleads her as our December 2023 Volunteer of the Month.
A keen observer thanks to her degree in marketing from Rutgers University-Newark and as someone whose “Business as Usual” is anything but, Linda is an incredible agent of change as she supports VLJ’s Debt Relief Legal Program and Reentry Legal Services (ReLeSe) Program. Indeed, since 2021, Linda has volunteered over 50 hours, providing much-needed compassion while gaining an enriched perspective on debt and poverty in the United States.
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VLJ Supports the New Jersey Office of the Public Defender in their Class Action Lawsuit Against the New Jersey State Police | |
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On October 23, the New Jersey Office of the Public Defender, with the support of the Rutgers Law School Expungement Law Project, Legal Services of New Jersey, Volunteer Lawyers for Justice, and the ACLU of New Jersey, filed a class action lawsuit against the New Jersey State Police to require it to stop unlawfully disclosing the criminal records of tens of thousands of individuals in violation of their court-ordered expungements.
In 2019, the State Police received access to $15 million to support swift processing of expungement orders and yet, there remains a significant backlog of unprocessed orders, recently estimated to be almost 50,000 cases. While individuals who have had their expungement granted wait months and even years for the State Police to clear their record, this means potential employers, landlords, and others who run background checks can learn about a person’s criminal history in spite of court orders expunging those records.
The delay also has devastating consequences for those waiting for record clearing under New Jersey’s vacatur law, which allows victims/survivors of human trafficking to vacate criminal records if they can show that, at the time of the offense, their record was a result of their trafficked status. VLJ's Karen Robinson had this to say:
“When petitioners must wait months, or even years, after receiving their final order for expungement before their record is actually cleared, then justice is denied: economic justice when they are turned down from jobs, housing justice when turned away by landlords, and social justice when they cannot participate meaningfully in their communities until the stigma of having a criminal record is finally cleared. The stigma is an especially painful reminder of victimization for survivors of human trafficking, many of whom are also waiting for the NJ State Police to comply with orders clearing their trafficking-related records under New Jersey’s vacatur law. To add insult to injury, there is no way to even know when an expungement order is complied with since the NJ State Police no longer issues confirmation letters, and the Administrative Office of the Courts removed the notification feature in e-courts."
Since filing the lawsuit, the Office of the Public Defender has received a number of inquiries about the case. They have established a dedicated email address and webpage to share updates:
Email: ExpungementLawsuit@opd.nj.gov
Webpage: https://www.nj.gov/defender/services/slu/
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Hot Off the Digital Press—VLJ's New Blog!
Pro Bono: From Passion to Practice
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Sponsor and Supporter Recognition
Thank you to our recent grantors, first-time corporate supporters, and major individual donors!
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"Ensuring Access to Justice for People Experiencing Poverty" | |
Connect with Volunteer Lawyers for Justice | | | | |
