Volunteer Lawyers for Justice

𝗩𝗼𝗹𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗲𝗿 𝗟𝗮𝘄𝘆𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗝𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲’𝘀 𝗔𝘂𝗴𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟰 𝗩𝗼𝗹𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗵: 𝗠𝗶𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗲𝗹 ("𝗠𝗶𝗸𝗲") 𝗖𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗴𝗼 At Lowenstein Sandler LLP, Mike Campolongo is a force in the Emerging Companies & Venture Capital group, skillfully drafting and prosecuting patent applications for a wide range of technologies. Yet, it’s Mike’s dedication to using his legal talent to ensure access to justice for people experiencing poverty that has earned him the title of VLJ’s August 2024 Volunteer of the Month. With an impressive academic background that includes a bachelor’s degree in electrical and computer engineering from Rowan University, a Ph.D. in biomedical engineering from Cornell University, and a Juris Doctor from Seton Hall University School of Law, Mike’s career trajectory might seem more Silicon Valley than access to justice; however, his commitment to social justice has always been a driving force in his life. Mike first connected with VLJ through the tenancy clinic at Lowenstein Sandler shortly after finishing law school. Since beginning his pro bono journey with VLJ’s Tenancy Program in 2020, Mike has volunteered over 40 hours helping keep neighbors safely and stably housed. Despite the pressures of a demanding career, Mike challenges the notion that lawyers don’t have enough time for pro bono: "A lot of people claim that they are too busy to take on pro bono work, though I believe that the hesitation stems primarily from a fear of stepping outside of one’s legal comfort zone. However, by working through your own small comfort barrier, you can help someone else escape from a considerably more uncomfortable situation. There is real power in this." Mike’s journey is a testament to the profound impact legal professionals can have when they step out of their comfort zones and into the lives of those who need their help the most. To Mike, our August 2024 Volunteer of the Month, thank you! 🔗Read more: https://lnkd.in/dSw39rMx 𝙄𝙛 𝙮𝙤𝙪’𝙫𝙚 𝙗𝙚𝙚𝙣 𝙞𝙣𝙨𝙥𝙞𝙧𝙚𝙙 𝙗𝙮 𝙈𝙞𝙠𝙚’𝙨 𝙨𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙮, 𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙨𝙞𝙙𝙚𝙧 𝙟𝙤𝙞𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙑𝙇𝙅 𝙖𝙨 𝙖 𝙫𝙤𝙡𝙪𝙣𝙩𝙚𝙚𝙧. 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙨𝙪𝙥𝙥𝙤𝙧𝙩, 𝙧𝙚𝙨𝙤𝙪𝙧𝙘𝙚𝙨, 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙨𝙚𝙣𝙨𝙚 𝙤𝙛 𝙛𝙪𝙡𝙛𝙞𝙡𝙡𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝙮𝙤𝙪’𝙡𝙡 𝙛𝙞𝙣𝙙 𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙪𝙣𝙥𝙖𝙧𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙚𝙡𝙚𝙙—𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙞𝙢𝙥𝙖𝙘𝙩 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙘𝙖𝙣 𝙢𝙖𝙠𝙚 𝙞𝙨 𝙞𝙢𝙢𝙚𝙖𝙨𝙪𝙧𝙖𝙗𝙡𝙚. 𝙁𝙞𝙣𝙙 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙬𝙝𝙮 𝙖𝙩 vljnj.org/why-probono. #VLJNJ #ProBono #CelebrateProBono #AccessToJustice #LegalAid #FreeLegalHelp #FreeLegalServices #NewJersey

𝗖𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗯𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗩𝗼𝗹𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗲𝗿 𝗟𝗮𝘄𝘆𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗝𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗮𝘁 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝗻𝘂𝗮𝗹 𝗔𝗿𝘁𝘀 & 𝗘𝗮𝘁𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗝𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗚𝗮𝗹𝗮! VLJ’s annual gala celebrates how our staff, volunteers, funders, and community partners work together to harness the power of pro bono. This year, we’re proud to honor: Preet Bharara (WilmerHale) – Champion of Justice Award Catherine Weiss (Lowenstein Sandler LLP) – Partner in Justice Award RBC Wealth Management – Community Vision Award Please join us on Tuesday, October 8 from 5:30 - 8:30 PM at the beautiful The Park Savoy Estate. By attending the gala, you'll support VLJ’s mission of ensuring access to justice for people experiencing poverty. Secure your tickets at vljnj.org/gala2024 and join VLJ for an evening of art, cuisine, networking, and justice! #VLJNJ #ArtsAndEatsForJustice #ProBono #Justice #CivilLegalAid #FreeLegalHelp #FreeLegalServices #NewJersey

Proud to see Volunteer Lawyers for Justice’s Jeff Stephens interviewed on PIX11 last week when he discussed the impact of recent medical debt relief efforts in New Jersey, from the elimination of $100 million in medical debt for thousands of New Jersey families to new protections provided by the Louisa Carman Medical Debt Relief Act. Jeff, Senior Staff Attorney and Program Lead of VLJ’s Debt Relief Legal Program, shared his insight from serving clients with medical debt and as a volunteer EMT, noting how he saw clients’ underlying health issues worsen during the COVID-19 pandemic. Jeff said it best, “It is something that we think is a solid step forward in our state.” 🔗 https://lnkd.in/eSWg_8Bt #VLJNJ #MedicalDebtRelief #ProBono #CivilLegalAid #FreeLegalHelp #FreeLegalServices #NewJersey

𝗪𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗲𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗶𝗻𝗲𝗾𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆—𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝗻 𝗽𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘁𝘆, 𝗹𝗮𝗴𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝗻 𝗽𝗮𝘆, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗳𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝗲𝗰𝘂𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝗱𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗲. On Women’s Equality Day—in the spirit of “None of us are free until we all are free"—𝗻𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝘂𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗲𝗾𝘂𝗮𝗹 𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗹 𝘄𝗲 𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗲𝗾𝘂𝗮𝗹. When it comes to access to justice, as is evidenced by the overwhelming majority of clients at Volunteer Lawyers for Justice who identify as women (64%) and information provided by the Legal Services Corporation, women make up a significant portion of the population with low incomes that rely on civil legal services. This is particularly true in legal matters such as family law, domestic violence, housing, and consumer issues. Indeed, according to the LSC’s 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘑𝘶𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘦 𝘎𝘢𝘱 report, women and girls are disproportionately represented in populations with low incomes compared to the general population. Even more, a majority (58%) of all households with low incomes with children are headed by women without partners or spouses. It's long past time to address the deep-rooted systems and attitudes perpetuating inequality and build a future where economic and social thrivability is not a dream but a reality for all women. #VLJNJ #WomensEqualityDay #EqualityCantWait #EmpowerWomen #ProBono #CivilLegalAid #FreeLegalServices #FreeLegalHelp #NewJersey

𝗪𝗲'𝗿𝗲 𝗛𝗶𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴! Join Volunteer Lawyers for Justice as our new Director of Development. Are you a dynamic leader with a passion for advancing racial, social, and economic justice? VLJ, a statewide civil legal services organization based in Newark, is looking for a strategic partner to help shape the future and continued growth of our fundraising and development efforts. As Director of Development, you'll lead a comprehensive fundraising strategy, oversee major events, engage with donors, and work closely with our Executive Director and Board of Trustees to drive our mission of ensuring access to justice for people experiencing poverty. This is a full-time, exempt position offering a competitive salary and a supportive, flexible work environment. Ready to make a difference? Visit bit.ly/VLJNowHiring to learn more including how to apply. #VLJNJ #NowHiring #DevelopmentJobs #ProBono #CivilLegalAid #FreeLegalServices #FreeLegalHelp #NewJersey

“𝗪𝗲 𝗴𝗼𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂.” That, in a nutshell, captures the spirit of Prudential Financial’s #probono efforts. Earlier this month, Prudential was honored in Chicago with the American Bar Association’s 2024 Pro Bono Publico Award. The award recognizes Prudential’s powerful and momentous volunteerism helping neighbors and community members facing eviction, insurmountable debt, unhealthy marriages and living conditions, and other civil legal issues impacting safety and stability. In this award video from the ABA, you’ll hear more from Prudential’s Ann Kappler, Joann Mazur Kielblock (she/her/ella), and Marc Rothenberg; Lowenstein Sandler LLP’s Natalie Kraner; and VLJ’s Cathy Keenan and Eric W. Hughes. 📽️https://lnkd.in/enkRi9va #VLJNJ #ABA #PrudentialFinancial #CelebrateProBono #CivilLegalAid #FreeLegalServices #FreeLegalHelp #NewJersey

𝗠𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗠𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗗𝗲𝗯𝘁 𝗥𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗲𝗳 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗼 𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗝𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗲𝘆! Governor Murphy announced today the elimination of $100 million in medical debt for nearly 50,000 New Jerseyans. Thanks to a partnership with Undue Medical Debt and Prime Healthcare, powered by American Rescue Plan funds, thousands of families will no longer be burdened by insurmountable medical bills. Today’s announcement also follows the 𝙇𝙤𝙪𝙞𝙨𝙖 𝘾𝙖𝙧𝙢𝙖𝙣 𝙈𝙚𝙙𝙞𝙘𝙖𝙡 𝘿𝙚𝙗𝙩 𝙍𝙚𝙡𝙞𝙚𝙛 𝘼𝙘𝙩 that was signed into law in July; the law provides much-needed medical debt relief, including credit reporting limitations, income-based wage garnishment restrictions, and enforcement protections. 🔗Read more on today's announcement: https://lnkd.in/ensFGQT4 🔗Read more about the Louisa Carman Medical Debt Relief Act: https://lnkd.in/eZffeGWA #VLJNJ #MedicalDebtRelief #ProBono #CivilLegalAid #FreeLegalServices #FreeLegalHelp #NewJersey

Calling all housing justice advocates!📣 On Friday, October 25, please join the Center for Social Justice at Seton Hall Law for their second annual Housing Justice Summit. For more information or to register, please visit https://lnkd.in/eGjS_jsn.

𝗛𝗮𝗽𝗽𝘆 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗡𝗼𝗻𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗳𝗶𝘁 𝗗𝗮𝘆! Did you know there are over 1.5 million nonprofit organizations in the United States and more than 41,000 in New Jersey? Thanks to the leadership of the New Jersey Center for Nonprofits, we know these organizations employ 330,000 people, spend more than $56 billion annually—much of this at home in the Garden State—and harness the power of nearly 2 million volunteers. No matter where you live, work, or look, there’s likely a nonprofit nearby making a difference in your community, be it for neighbors, the local economy, schools, or green spaces. At Volunteer Lawyers for Justice, as a legal services nonprofit, we are committed to ensuring that access to justice is not dependent on the size of one’s bank account. With no constitutional right to an attorney in civil legal matters—matters that often go to the heart of basic human need, safety, and security—we believe no one should face these legal challenges alone, especially those living in communities that have been historically disinvested from, under-resourced, and under-represented. From fighting wrongful evictions, navigating divorce and consumer debt, serving those who served, and supporting survivors, our nonprofit of 22 staff, hundreds of volunteers, and even more supporters are on the frontlines of justice, taking cases and changing lives. But, nonprofits like VLJ can’t do it alone: •𝗗𝗼𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗲, because while our services are free for our clients, they aren’t free to coordinate: vljnj.org/donate •𝗩𝗼𝗹𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗲𝗿 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗮𝗹𝗲𝗻𝘁—make an impact on someone's life (including your own): vljnj.org/why-probono •𝗡𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝗰𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗹 𝗹𝗲𝗴𝗮𝗹 𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗽? If you or someone you know needs our legal services, we’re here to help: vljnj.org/get-help #VLJNJ #ProBono #NationalNonprofitDay #AccessToJustice #GiveBack #CivilLegalAid #FreeLegalHelp #NewJersey

𝗖𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗯𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝟭𝟱 𝗜𝗻𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗬𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘀 How time flies when you’re undertaking justice! Today, we celebrate a familiar face and her amazing 15 years at Volunteer Lawyers for Justice: Karen Robinson. At VLJ, Karen is not just a managing attorney, she is a dedicated leader across the organization, serving as a living testament to what compassionate and professional legal services look like. As one of the longest serving staff members, Karen is walking history, witnessing the growth of VLJ and its impact across New Jersey. Over the years, Karen’s steadfast commitment to her clients, colleagues, and volunteers has set a high bar, providing hope and justice to those in need while raising up the next generation of social justice superheroes. Her deep understanding of how involvement with the criminal justice system—exacerbated by unaddressed civil legal needs—threatens the stability and security of far too many community members is only one way Karen’s leadership and expertise are felt across New Jersey and beyond. VLJ's history is embodied in people like Karen, someone dedicated to rectifying racial, social, and economic injustices. Ultimately, ensuring access to justice is less about philosophy and more about the humans needing it and providing it, and VLJ is immensely fortunate to have people like Karen working every day to make New Jersey a better and kinder place to call home. From her infectious laugh and team spirit, to her care for clients and coworkers, Karen is a tour de force for justice, kindness, and compassion. Thank you for an incredible and transformative 15 years, Karen! Cheers to you and many more work anniversaries to come. #VLJNJ #ProBono #CelebrateProBono #CivilLegalAid #FreeLegalServices #FreeLegalHelp #NewJersey