2019 Annual Report - Volunteer Lawyers for Justice

2019 BY THE NUMBERS

CLIENT SERVICES BY THE NUMBERS

PROGRAMS

1,460 CLIENTS SERVED

127 CLINICS & WORKSHOPS HELD

3,340 people impacted

87% of clients served were people of color

61% of clients were women

1,340 children were impacted by VLJ services

259 veterans served

VOLUNTEERS BY THE NUMBERS

In 2019 , VLJ impacted the lives of 3,340 New Jersey residents by providing free legal services through 11 programs.

AIDING WOMEN, CHILDREN, AND FAMILIES

z CHILDREN’S REPRESENTATION PROGRAM

z DIVORCE PROGRAM

z N EW JERSEY HUM AN TRAFFICKI NG VICTIMS LEGAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

z SOUTH WARD PROMISE NEIGHBORHOOD

z TENANCY PROGRAM

WORKING THROUGH FINANCIAL CRISIS

z BANKRUPTCY PROGRAM

z CONSUMER LAW PROGRAM

z RELESE (REENTRY LEGAL SERVICES)

560 TOTAL VOLUNTEERS

$2.6M in donated services

8,171 HOURS DONATED

251 volunteers trained at 11 educational seminars

110 new volunteers

ADVOCATING FOR VETERANS

z PSEG VET ERANS LEGAL CLINIC

z VETERANS LEGAL WELLNESS CLINIC

RESPONDING TO DISASTER

z DISASTER LEGAL RESPONSE PROGRAM

FROM OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND BOARD CHAIR

Dear Friends,

Thank you for all that you do to support Volunteer Lawyers for Justice’s mission to improve the lives of New Jersey’s low-income residents by providing them with free legal services. 2019 was a year to celebrate! We provided impactful legal work to 1,460 clients and had our highest rate of volunteerism ever, welcoming 560 volunteers. We also had a record year for fundraising, bringing in over $1.5M in revenue to strengthen our financial footing and ensure our long-term viability.

In 2019, our external focus was on providing stability to families throughout New Jersey. We all know that healthy, stable families are the core of any thriving community. Our roster of programs helped provide stability to communities by keeping families in their homes, supporting children to be successful in school, and opening up a world of employment and housing opportunities.

Given the remarkable strengths of our staff, we focused additional resources on providing thought leadership in two key poverty law areas in which they specialize: human trafficking and veterans’ issues. VLJ Managing Attorney Jessica Kitson serves on both statewide and national committees focused on human trafficking, and recently co-authored a report on the subject which was published by the American Bar Association. She is a sought-after speaker at events nationwide. At the request of the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, a team of lawyers led by VLJ Staff Attorney Kelsey Lee created new guidelines for municipal coroners intended to speed up the burial process for indigent veterans. These were so well received that they are being incorporated into a statewide law, and our Veterans Legal Program team was awarded the Military Order of the Purple Heart 2019 Special Recognition Award for their work on this issue.

Internally, our focus has been on developing a new, three-year strategic plan. The plan, which is expected to be approved at the September 2020 board meeting, charts a course for expanding our advocacy efforts, strengthening our finances, and positioning the organization for the next three years of service, all to ensure that we remain a thriving, vital organization. We cannot wait to share it with you.

It goes without saying that without the support of our board, volunteers, donors, and community partners, none of these achievements would be possible. Thank you for your commitment to bettering the lives of our most vulnerable neighbors.

Cathy Keenan Executive Director

Susan McGahan Chair, Board of Trustees, May 2016 - May 2020

Cathy Keenan

Susan McGahan

SOUTH WARD PROMISE NEIGHBORHOOD

VLJ is the legal services provider for the South Ward Promise Neighborhood program (SWPN) which provides a variety of wrap around services for Newark children and their families to help them succeed from cradle to career. While we assisted families with 20 different types of legal issues, the most prevalent issue faced by South Ward families is housing instability.

38,000

Aaron* lives in an apartment in the South Ward with his wife and their two small children. Aaron was a driver for a ride share company and when his car needed repairs, it interfered with his ability to work. Aaron fell two months behind on paying rent and his landlord sued to evict the family, causing a crisis for Aaron and his wife who had no alternative housing options. Only five days before his trial, Aaron met with a VLJ staff attorney who identified numerous errors and violations in the landlord’s complaint. She represented Aaron in court, where the case was dismissed with Aaron required to pay only 25% of the amount originally demanded in the landlord’s complaint. Because of VLJ’s legal help, the family kept their apartment and Aaron’s daughter was able to celebrate her fifth birthday in her home.

*Not his real name

In 2019, VLJ helped 100 families, including 200 children, through the SWPN program.

In 2019, VLJ helped 100 families, including children, the SWPN program.

eviction cases are filed in Essex County each year

Only 1% of tenants have legal representation in eviction cases in New Jersey

ReLeSe (REENTRY LEGAL SERVICES)

ReLeSe is an innovative program that helps clients with criminal backgrounds overcome the legal barriers that prevent them from moving forward in life. There are 44,000 collateral consequences that stem from a criminal record, each of which carries potentially negative consequences for individuals. ReLeSe’s primary focus is criminal record expungement, which provides clients with a fresh start that makes it easier to access employment, education, housing, and other vital services.

expungement

—ReLeSe

Kristina* is a single mother from Newark. When Kristina was 20, she made a series of bad decisions that resulted in low-level criminal charges against her. Although these infractions happened when Kristina was very young and were not reflective of the adult she had become, they remained on her permanent record and made it difficult for her to find a job and stable housing. After attending a VLJ clinic, her case was placed with a volunteer attorney who filed an expungement on her behalf and successfully cleared her record. In less than six months, Kristina found a job in the medical field and can now provide for her family. She calls her expungement “a complete blessing.”

*Not real name or image.

70 million Americans have some form of criminal record

9 out of 10 employers and 4 out of 5 landlords check criminal backgrounds when making hiring or renting decisions

“ The expungement helped my employment prospects tremendously.

—ReLeSe client

CHILDREN’S REPRESENTATION PROGRAM

Parents often find it difficult to advocate on behalf of their children for educational services, and the results of self-advocacy are sometimes devastating. This is especially true in low-income communities, where parents’ financial, language, and educational barriers can leave families feeling powerless. VLJ created the Children’s Representation Program (CRP) to support families seeking the best possible educational outcomes for their children, ensuring that they can learn and succeed in a safe environment.

Kendra’s* five-year-old son

In the 2017-18 school year

18% of NJ students (241,047 children) were classified as eligible for special education and related services

There were 18,741 investigations and 7,522 findings of harassment, intimidation, and bullying at school

In 2019, 98% of families who applied received help through the CRP. families

Nick* was diagnosed with ADHD and “destructive behavior.” Nick’s school called Kendra 2-3 times a week asking her to pick him up, which contributed to Kendra losing her job. The district refused to test Nick for special education services and suggested that Kendra keep him home because Kindergarten is not mandatory. The school nurse suggested that Nick receive stronger drugs to help manage his behavior and when Kendra refused, she was told that Nick could not return to school without a psychiatric clearance. Kendra was referred to VLJ and placed with a volunteer attorney who worked with the school district to have Nick tested and to develop an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) for him. The lawyer ultimately negotiated a new school placement for Nick. Because Nick is now thriving in school, Kendra was able to attend Passaic County Community College where she will complete her Associate of Arts (A.A.), and she is applying to start her bachelor’s degree at Bloomfield College in the fall.

*Not their real names.

“ My son has had far fewer outbursts since moving schools and is happier. My own health issues have gone into remission as a result of the stress being lifted off my shoulders. ”

—CRP client

VLJ Trustee Sneha Desai began doing pro bono work while attending law school. Sneha currently helps support pro bono efforts at BASF Corporation in Florham Park, NJ where she serves as Deputy General Counsel. She is also the co-founder of Ayati, a nonprofit whose mission is to promote optimal hygienic practices to girls in rural parts of India.

Sneha has donated countless hours to VLJ since she first began working with the organization in 2016.

While Sneha has volunteered for several VLJ programs, she is particularly committed to the Divorce Clinic. According to Sneha, “The legal process to get a divorce can be really overwhelming. VLJ’s Divorce Clinic is a simple way to provide immediate relief to a person in need. Volunteers listen to clients’ stories, provide them

SNEHA DESAI

with advice, draft legal pleadings, and really help litigants get through a complicated process.” Sneha regularly recruits other attorneys to volunteer for the program, even those who are not already experts in family law, because most cases are straightforward and there is an expert onsite to advise on more complex issues. She notes, “The clients are always so grateful that the volunteer lawyers spend the time to explain the law in a way they can understand.”

Sneha was so impressed with VLJ that she joined the Board of Trustees in June 2018, helping to shape the organization’s mission, vision, and future planning. Sneha feels strongly that equal access to legal services is a core tenet of a fair and just community, and she looks forward to continuing to serve VLJ and its clients for many years to come.

80% of attorneys who volunteered for VLJ in 2019 have done so for multiple years.

“ We have the ability to make a real difference in someone’s life by giving our time and expertise. As professionals, it is our duty to serve our communities when we can. ”

—Sneha Desai

TAKING CASES

VLJ is able to help so many clients each year because of the tireless efforts of our volunteer attorneys, paralegals, law students, and other volunteers. These individuals donated more than 8,171 hours of service in 2019. We are grateful to all of our volunteers, but would like to provide special recognition to the lawyers who reported 15+ hours of service in 2019.

Alan Babbitt Heard & Smith LLP

Peter Balsamo

Peter Balsamo, Attorney at Law

Roy Basile* Roy E Basile Law Office

Adam Berger

Duane Morris LLP & Affiliates

Richard Billups Merck & Co., Inc.

Lenore Boyarin* Sussan, Greenwald & Wesler

Omega Brailsford-Owen Merck & Co., Inc.

Suzanne Brock Gibbons P.C.

Lisa Brodie Merck & Co., Inc.

William Brown* McCarter & English, LLP

Margaret Buck Retired

Adam Budesheim*** McCarter & English, LLP

Paul Buonaguro EY

Sheila Calello McCarter & English

Tricia Caliguire

Victoria Calle* Calle & Associates

Leah Capece

Law Office of Leah E. Capece

Frank Catalina

Clark Guldin

Roger Chavez Law Office of Roger Chavez

Marjorie Chertok* Tyco Safety Products

Alvin Chin Prudential Financial, Inc.

Laura Cicirelli Lowenstein Sandler LLP

Donald Clarke Wasserman, Jurista & Stolz, PC

Diane Claussen** Lowenstein Sandler LLP

Debra Clifford Gibbons P.C.

Michael Conforti Gibbons P.C.

Dana Cordes Prudential Financial, Inc.

Carolina Curbelo The Law Office of Carolina T. Curbelo, LLC

Thomas DeCataldo* Skoloff & Wolfe, P.C.

Kathleen DeCelie Prudential Financial, Inc.

Steven Del Mauro McCarter & English, LLP

Miguel Delgado Delgado Law LLC

Sam Della Fera McManimon, Scotland & Baumann, LLC

Michael Denton

Curtiss-Wright Corporation

Sneha Desai

BASF Corporation

Michael DeSimone

Prudential Financial, Inc.

Adam DeSipio

DLA Piper

Diamond Deza

Law Office of Diamond Luis Deza

Saran Edwards

John Rue & Associates

Janet Fair Merck & Co., Inc.

Jack Feinstein* Retired

Lynne Feldman***

Lynne D. Feldman, Esq.

Wendy Feldman Prudential Financial, Inc.

Catherine Fitch

Merck & Co., Inc.

Tracy Forsyth University Hospital, Newark, NJ

Jacob Franchino* Gibbons P.C.

Terri Freeman

BASF Corporation

Nicole Fulfree

Lowenstein Sandler LLP

Denise Gackenheimer Verzella Manes & Weinberg, LLC

Christine Gaddis* Gibbons P.C.

Lori Gaines*

Barger & Gaines

Sandra Gavin

Disability Rights New Jersey

David Giles

Law Office of David Giles

Michael Golden AT&T

Sue Carol Greene-Buckner

Prudential Financial, Inc.

Staci Greenwald

Sussan, Greenwald & Wesler

Andrew Grenell*

Fein, Such, Kahn & Shepard, PC

Samantha Haggerty

Duane Morris LLP & Affiliates

Julie Hamon Gillespie, Gillespie & Jablonski

Brian Hannon

Norgaard O’Boyle

Mark Heinzelmann* Lowenstein Sandler LLP

Rawan Hmoud

Offit Kurman, Attorneys at Law

George Holland

George Holland Attorney At Law

Charlotte Howells

Gibbons P.C.

Wojciech Jung Lowenstein Sandler LLP

Rabiya Kader* Sanofi

Brett Kahn* McCarter & English, LLP

James Kellar McCarter & English, LLP

Kevin Kelly

Seton Hall Law School

Natalie Kraner

Lowenstein Sandler LLP

Timothy Law Reed Smith LLP

Larry Lesnik Rabinowitz, Lubetkin & Tully, LLC

Debra Levin

McCarter & English, LLP

Bruce Levitt

Levitt & Slafkes, P.C.

Victoria Levy

Thorlabs, Inc.

Alexandra Litvin

Law Office of Alexandra Wolfe Litvin, PC

Elissa Eunjin Lobello

Troutman Sanders LLP

Nomi Lowy Gibbons P.C.

Abigail Luhn

Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP

Beth Manes

Manes & Weinberg

Jacqueline McClintock

AT&T

Susan McGahan

AT&T

Maryann McGrath

AT&T

Andrew Meltzer**

Sussan, Greenwald & Wesler

Howard Menaker* Retired

Elissa Minor**

Jason Mollick**

Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati

Leda Moloff

Prudential Financial, Inc.

Sarah Monaghan

Dilts & Koester

Vincent Montalto BASF Corporation

Jason Moreira McCarter & English, LLP

Richard Myslinski McCarter & English, LLP

Janet Nagotko

McElroy, Deutsch, Mulvaney & Carpenter, LLP

Weimin Ning Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP

Mark Norgaard Norgaard O’Boyle

Robert Nussbaum Saiber LLC

John O’Connor

Epstein Becker Green, P.C.

Mary Frances Palisano Gibbons P.C.

Denise Panzer*

Lowenstein Sandler LLP

Stephanie Pisko McCarter & English, LLP

Michael Poreda Wronko Loewen Benucci

Carol Quagliato Merck & Co., Inc.

Abdul Rehman Kahn McCarter & English

Denise Rekem

Parles Rekem LLP

Barbara Res*

Geoffrey Rosamond

McCarter & English, LLP

Rebecca Rosenfeld** Law Offices of David R. Giles

Barry Roy Rabinowitz, Lubetkin & Tully, LLC

Christopher Ruzich* Standard Chartered Bank

Rebecca Ryan Lowenstein Sandler LLP

Sean Schafer*

Duane Morris LLP & Affiliates

Brian Schwartz

Schwartz Vinhal & Lomurro

Family Law, LLC

Sherman Scott Minion & Sherman

Mary Seymour Lowenstein Sandler LLP

Shelley Slafkes

Levitt & Slafkes, P.C.

Michael Smith*** McCarter & English, LLP

Rebecca Spar Retired

CHANGING LIVES

Alyssa Spector*

Inglesino, Webster, Wyciskala & Taylor, LLC

Kathryn Stanchi*

Temple University, School of Law

Nicole Stefanelli Lowenstein Sandler LLP

Andrew Stein

AT&T

Kaitlyn Stone

Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP

Dominick Succardi

Ameri Law Firm

Peter Sullivan

Foley Hoag

Linda Sweet Marks**

Education Law Center

Trevor Taniguchi* Duane Morris LLP & Affiliates

Philip Taylor*** P. Taylor Legal, PLLC

J. Eric Thies Merck & Co., Inc.

Joan Thomas Sussan, Greenwald & Wesler

Michael Thompson*

Epstein Becker Green, P.C.

Ashley Turner** McCarter & English, LLP

Stephen Vajtay* McCarter & English, LLP

Meredith Walsh** McCarter & English, LLP

Michele Washington

Jessica Weinberg Manes & Weinberg

Catherine Weiss* Lowenstein Sandler LLP

Danielle Weslock** McCarter & English, LLP

Thomas Wester* McDermott & McGee LLP

Jill Westerberg AIDS Center of Queens County

Isabella Wezdecki Johnson & Johnson

Amy Woltman* Prudential Financial, Inc.

Raynard Yuro Merck & Co., Inc.

Yong Zhao Merck & Co., Inc.

* 50+ hours

** 100+ hours

*** 200+ hours

RICHMOND RABINOWITZ

Richmond was introduced to VLJ by board member David Bershad and she was drawn in immediately. “Here was an organization that was really making an impact in the area of justice,” says Richmond, “world class attorneys contributing their time to make sure that victims of human trafficking, veterans, people on the cusp of homelessness, and others have the critical support that they need to navigate the complex civil legal system.” She is particularly moved by clients’ first-person testimonials describing how, with pro-bono legal assistance from VLJ, they were able to avoid or disentangle themselves from situations so dire they are hard to comprehend. Richmond also admires VLJ’s commitment to social justice and how their work helps level the playing field for New Jersey’s underserved residents.

Richmond Rabinowitz is the President and Founder of Rabinowitz Partners LLC, a consultancy offering management strategies for nonprofit organizations. She is a skilled interim executive, consultant, and trainer who counts VLJ among her many clients. Richmond is also a VLJ donor, and she recently gave the organization its first planned gift.

For Richmond, who is currently working with the organization on their strategic plan, giving VLJ their first planned gift was a “no-brainer.” When making a gift of this nature, she considers factors such as need and trust. It was clear to her that the need for pro-bono legal services will last beyond her lifetime, and VLJ has earned her trust through 19 years of strong management. “This is a nonprofit

with a history of making good choices— around areas of the law that need the most attention, around right-sizing the organization, and around future planning,” says Richmond. She is impressed with VLJ’s Board of Trustees and the depth of their deliberations about what the future might

bring and how best to prepare for it. She also believes in the importance of having non-operational funding that can be used for extraordinary need or opportunity.

As for the future, Richmond hopes that VLJ attorneys will continue to use their roles as thought leaders to inform public policy in both government and the legal system. “It is rare in these contentious times to find a source of fact-based information,” acknowledges Richmond, “and they provide a great service by sharing their expertise.”

“VLJ is a nonprofit with a history of making good choices—around areas of the law that need the most attention, around right-sizing the organization, and around future planning. Making a planned gift to VLJ was an easy choice.”

—Richmond Rabinowitz

SUPPORTING JUSTICE IN NEW JERSEY

Through the vision and generosity of our donors, VLJ provides much-needed legal services to New Jersey residents who otherwise would not have a voice in the legal system. Your donations help ensure that access to justice is for all—not just the wealthiest members of our community. Thank you to all of our donors who support VLJ’s mission!

$100,000+

McCarter & English, LLP **

Merck & Company, Inc.**

Prudential Financial, Inc.**

PSEG Foundation**

State of New Jersey, Office of the Attorney General, NJ Victims of Crime Act Grant

$50,000-$99,999

David Bershad & Mindy Cohen**

Panasonic Corporation of North America*

South Ward Promise Neighborhood

$25,000-$49,999

BASF Corporation*

Legal Services Foundation of Essex County**

Lowenstein Sandler LLP**

$10,000-$24,999

American College of Bankruptcy*

Arnold & Porter Kaye Scholer LLP*

AT&T **

Bressler, Amery & Ross, PC*

Chiesa Shahinian & Giantomasi PC*

Eisai Inc.

Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP

Gibbons PC**

Hogan Lovells US, LLP*

The IOLTA Fund of the Bar of New Jersey**

Kirkland & Ellis LLP*

Matrix Development Group

Newark Beth Israel Medical Center

Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP*

Walsh Pizzi O’Reilly Falanga*

Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP*

WilmerHale

Winston & Strawn LLP

$5,000-$9,999

Baker Botts LLP*

Susan V. Bershad

ConnectOne Bank

Consilio, LLC

Dentons US LLP*

DLA Piper**

Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher

Goodwin Proctor

Michael & Jane Griffinger**

The Hyde & Watson Foundation Investors Foundation*

King & Spalding LLP*

RBC Wealth Management*

Leader Berkon Colao & Silverstein LLP*

Littleton Park Joyce Ughetta & Kelly LLP*

Montclair Fund for Women*

Morgan, Lewis & Bockius

NJM Insurance Group**

Ogletree Deakins*

Orkila Capital

Peter C. Harvey

Paul Hastings

April Pish

Reed Smith LLP

Karen & Eric Sacks**

Erik Sandstedt

Eric Schwimmer & Alyce Gottesman**

Sills Cummis & Gross P.C.

The Joseph & Mary Beth DiPrima Family Charitable Fund

Wilentz, Goldman & Spitzer

$2,500-$4,999

American Bar Association*

Bevan, Mosca & Giuditta, PC*

Brach Eichler LLC*

Dell, Inc.

Fidelco Group

Fox Rothschild LLP

HP, Inc.**

Irwin Fritchie Urquhart & Moor LLC

Kean Miller

Howard & Peggy Menaker*

Tricia O’Reilly*

Perkins Coie

Public Interest Law Foundation at Columbia

TSG Reporting

Wiley Rein LLP

$1,000-$2,499

Anonymous

Andrew & Froma Benerofe*

THE KAREN B. SACKS LIFETIME GIVING SOCIETY

Named in honor of Volunteer Lawyers for Justice’s founding Executive Director, the society recognizes individual donors who have contributed a cumulative $10,000 or more to Volunteer Lawyers for Justice.

Thank you for your generosity!

David Bershad & Mindy Cohen

Susan V. Bershad

Donald Cussen

Mark & Yvonne Daniel

Michael & Jane Griffinger

Mary Hartnett & Richard Cino

Orin Kramer

William & Bleema Bershad*

Canon USA

The Colton Family Foundation Inc.

CT Corporation

Donald Cussen*

Mark & Yvonne Daniel**

Anand & Sneha Desai*

Duane Morris LLP

Richard & Cathryn Dubow*

Hon. Marianne Espinosa (Ret.)

Fisher Phillips

Alison Frimmel

Greenbaum, Rowe, Smith & Davis*

Hewlett Packard Enterprise Company*

Jessica Hodkinson

Jackson Lewis

Howard & Peggy Menaker

Edward & Pamela Moed

Tricia O’Reilly

Karen & Eric Sacks

Eric Schwimmer & Alyce Gottesman

April Pish

Javerbaum Wurgraft Hicks Kahn

Wikstrom & Sinins, PC

Cathy Keenan & John Larson*

Kraemer Burns PA

William Krovatin*

Adam Kushner

Lateral Link

Judith McCarthy

Susan McGahan*

McGuireWoods LLP

Pashman Stein Walder

Hayden PC*

Paul Michaels & Sandra Chamberlin

Peapack-Gladstone Bank

Jennifer Prioleau*

Richmond Rabinowitz

VLJ’S DONORS (continued)

Mark Rubin

Saiber LLC*

Saul Ewing Arnstein & Lehr LLP*

David Schneider

Jeffrey & Beth Shapiro

Peter Slocum

Kaitlyn Stone*

Kathryn Tinker

Thompson Hine*

Tito’s Vodka

Toyota/Lexus Financial Services

Unitarian Society of Ridgewood

Naboth Van Den

Carol & Terry Wall

Catherine Weiss*

WithumSmith + Brown, PC

Womens Association of Essex Fells

Country Club

$250-$999

3rd Space

Anderson Kill PC

Prajakta Anilkumar Sonalker

Jonathan Anzalone

Atikah Arifin

Open Banks*

Becker LLC

Bederson LLP

Matthew Beck

Marianne Benevenia

Connie Bentley McGhee

Randi & Marc Berson and Kerri & Jared Levine

Brian Biglin

Edward Bond

Ron Brienes

Robert Brueno

Milvia Burns

Rhonda Carniol

Caitlin Cascino*

John E. Clark

Kevin Collins

Cushman & Wakefield

Alex Daniel Ryan Daniel*

Nicholas DeFabrizio

Michael & Gemma

Giantomasi Diaco

Claire Dragon

Carolyn Dubow

Eckert Seamans

Paul Fishman

Catherine Fitch*

Sigrid Franzblau*

Christine Gaddis*

Christine Gannon

Melissa Geist

Howard Geneslaw

Gensler

Marie M. Giantomasi

Lawrence P. Goldman & Laurie Chock

Good Films Impact

David Greenspan

Guntin & Gust, PLC*

Susan Halpern

Kerrie Heslin

John Hogan

George M. Holland

Jessica Horton

Nicholas Insua*

Matthew Iversen

Aaron Jaroff

Stefan John

Lisa John-Basta

Everett Johnson

Elizabeth A. Joyce

Anne Kappler

Barry Kazan

Bernard J. Keenan*

Daniel & Christine Keenan

Mary Kelly

MONTHLY DONORS

The following donors have committed $10+ a month, or $120+ a year, towards our monthly giving campaign. Monthly and annual gifts help set VLJ on a path of sustainability. That means we can promise to be there for our low-income neighbors who desperately need legal help. Thank you!

Jeffrey Kessler

Jessica Kitson & Spencer Taustine

Suzanne M. Klar & Marc A. Brummer*

Kyle Krpata

Judith & Richard Kuskin

Kenneth Lee

Mary Ellen Lenahan

The Leon Levy Foundation

Larry Lesnik

Lite, Depalma & Greenberg LLC

Kimberly Livecchia-Jeff

Kelly Lloyd Lankford*

Shari Loe

Abigail Luhn

Lum Drasco & Positan LLC*

Aleksey Lyubarsky

John Mandler

Andrew Marovitz

McElroy, Deutsch, Mulvaney & Carpenter, LLP*

David Mebane

Frank Molfetta

Stanley Morris

Tracy Nelson*

Open Banks

David Bershad & Mindy Cohen

Tracy Cunningham Forsyth

Mark & Yvonne Daniel

Ryan Daniel

Jessica Kitson & Spencer Taustine

Jaclyn Kramer

Kimberly Livecchia-Jeff

Tracy Nelson

Diana Onuschak

Network For Good Newmark Knight Frank

NJPAC

Jeffrey Osterman

Franca Palumbo*

Bret & Katharine Parker

Henry Patterson*

David Pepe

Jeff Perry

Peter Pizzi

Ralph Preite*

Jim & Nancy Quinn

Karen & John Robinson*

Robinson Miller

Geoffrey Rosamond*

Ned Rosenberg

Lyn Rosensweig

Alix Rubin**

David Sands

Louis Sapirman

Magda Schaler-Haynes

Brian Schwartz

Armen Shahinian

Paula Simpkins

Christopher Smith

Robert & Rosemary Steinbaum

Kimberly Stone

Xiao Sun

Sussan, Greenwald & Wesler**

Philip Taylor

Beth Tepper

Timeless Treasures Fabrics of Soho LLC

Dennis Toft

Lynn & John Totaro

Kristi L. Vaiden

Michael van Riper Veritext*

Kevin Walsh*

Warshaw Law Firm

Stephen Weingarten

Alvin Weiss*

The Westchester Bank

Yong Zhao

Donald & Joan Zief**

* Indicates Giving for 3+ Consecutive Years

** Indicates Giving for 6+ Consecutive Years

YOUR DOLLARS AT WORK REVENUE

Foundations/Corporations: $693,424 Events: $572,958 Government: $184,156 Individuals: $63,026 Miscellaneous: $13,215 Total Operating Revenue: $1,526,779

Donated Legal Services: $2,634,429 In-kind: $100,273

REVENUE: $4,261,481

EXPENSES

2019-Unaudited

F

Program Expenses: $1,029,174

Management/Fundraising: $303,953

INCREASE IN NET ASSETS: $193,652

VLJ had 509 donors in 2019.

VLJ STAFF GOOD NEWS

VLJ’s Executive Director Cathy Keenan was a panelist at a special film premiere of Just Mercy in Newark that was attended by Bryan Stevenson, the attorney on whom the movie is based, and stars of the film Michael B. Jordan, Tim Blake Nelson, and Rob Morgan. Cathy spoke with Newark Mayor Ras Baraka and others about justice initiatives in Newark.

VLJ was a special guest at and received proceeds from a talk with Cyntoia Brown, author of Free Cyntoia, at Newark’s 3rd Space, where she spoke about her experience as a human trafficking survivor and the flaws in the criminal legal system.

With VLJ’s nomination, the American Bar Association awarded McCarter & English its prestigious Pro Bono Publico Award. They were one of two firms nationwide to receive this honor.

With VLJ’s nomination, the New Jersey State Bar Association awarded VLJ Trustee Kaitlyn Stone the 2019 New Attorney Award for pro bono service.

Cathy Keenan Executive Director

Jessica Kitson Managing Attorney

Jaclyn Kramer Development Director

Tracy Nelson Director of Finance

Diana Onuschak Director of Administration and Community Engagement

Karen Robinson Senior Staff Attorney

Allison Nolan Staff Attorney

Nari Wang Staff Attorney

Kelsey Lee Staff Attorney

Alexandra Bravo Staff Attorney

Stella Lyubarsky Staff Attorney

Michelle Smith Law Clerk

Joselyn Chavez Legal Assistant

Kim Garcia Legal Assistant

Jamayrah Moore Legal Assistant

2020 BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Susan E. McGahan, Esq., Chair

AT&T

Tricia O’Reilly, Esq., Co-Vice Chair

Walsh Pizzi O’Reilly Falanga, LLP

Eric L. Schwimmer, Esq., Co-Vice Chair Prudential

Howard Menaker, Esq. (Ret.), Treasurer

Jennifer Prioleau, Esq., Secretary HP, Inc.

David Bershad (Ret.)

Angela Coxe, Esq. Hewlett Packard Enterprise

Donald Cussen

RBC Wealth Management

Sneha Desai, Esq. BASF Corporation

Hon. Marianne Espinosa, Esq. (Ret.) Javerbaum Wurgaft Hicks Kahn Wikstrom & Sinins, P.C.

Emily B. Goldberg, Esq. Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP

Michael R. Griffinger, Esq., Emeritus Gibbons, P.C.

Peter C. Harvey, Esq. Patterson Belknap Webb And Tyler LLP

Jessica Hodkinson, Esq. Panasonic Corporation of North America

Nicholas M. Insua, Esq. Anderson Kill

GENERATION NOW COMMITTEE

Kelly Lloyd Lankford, Esq., Co-Chair

Dentons Us LLP

Kaitlyn S. Stone, Esq., Co-Chair

Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP

Brian N. Biglin, Esq.

Duane Morris LLP

Omar A. Bareentto, Esq. McCarter & English

Suzanne Bradley Marineau, Esq. Stryker

Caitlin P. Cascino, Esq.

Walsh Pizzi O’Reilly Falanga LLP

Caitlin Conklin, Esq. K&L Gates LLP

Alison Frimmel, Esq. McElroy, Deutsch, Mulvaney & Carpenter, LLP

Cathy Keenan, Esq. (Ex-Officio) Volunteer Lawyers for Justice

William Krovatin, Esq. Merck & Co., Inc.

Judith N. McCarthy, Esq.

Geoffrey Rosamond, Esq. McCarter & English, LLP

Alix Rubin, Esq. Rubin Employment Law

Erik Sandstedt, Esq. Chiesa, Shahinian & Giantomasi PC

Jeffrey M. Shapiro, Esq. Lowenstein Sandler LLP

Charlotte Howells, Esq. Gibbons, P.C.

Natalya G. Johnson, Esq.

Riker Danzig Scherer Hyland

Abigail M. Luhn, Esq. Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP

Mia Stollen, Esq.

Brach Eichler LLC

Peter Slocum, Esq. Lowenstein Sandler LLP

Jewel Watson, Esq. Prudential

Kevin Weber, Esq. Gibbons, PC

Brandon L. Wolff, Esq. Day Pitney LLP

Volunteer Lawyers for Justice (VLJ) seeks to improve the lives of economically disadvantaged adults, children, and families in New Jersey by empowering them with tools, advice, and pro bono representation with the goal of securing fair and equal treatment within the legal system.

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Volunteer Lawyers for Justice

Four Gateway Center 100 Mulberry Street, 6th floor Newark, NJ 07102

Mailing address: P.O. Box 32040 Newark, NJ 07102 (973) 645-1955

www.vljnj.org

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VLJ thanks Beth Shapiro for designing this report, Zoe Behan for writing our stories, and Elzbieta Kaciuba for many of the photos.

“ VL J has given us hope and peace which we did not have before. We can sleep at night knowing that we do not have to fight a le gal battle alone. ”

—VLJ Client