Volunteer Lawyers for Justice Appoints Hon. Julien X. Neals, Esq. as New Chair of Board of Directors

June 28, 2010 - PRLog -- Volunteer Lawyers for Justice (VLJ), a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization based in Newark, N.J., has appointed Julien X. Neals, Esq. as the new chair of its board of directors. VLJ provides comprehensive legal services to economically-disadvantaged adults, children, and families in New Jersey to ensure fair and equal treatment within the legal system. A Former Chief Judge of Newark Municipal Court, Neals, who resides in Essex County, now serves as Corporation Counsel to the City of Newark and previously had a distinguished career in the private sector.

Established in 2001, VLJ has grown from a grass roots effort of 30 volunteer attorneys in Essex County to a state-wide 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation with six staff attorneys and more than 1,500 volunteer attorneys providing free legal services to thousands of clients each year. Programs include free legal counsel and advice, educational seminars on various legal matters, and direct representation for at-risk individuals facing critical civil legal issues.

"VLJ is a pivotal entity in New Jersey's legal landscape, equalizing the playing field for all members of our community," remarked Neals, who has served on VLJ's board of directors for the last two years. "In addition, the organization serves as a great vehicle to bring together top legal minds in order to fashion new ways to meet the needs of residents of New Jersey, particularly in today's difficult economic times."

Neals's Distinguished Legal Career Spans Private and Public Sectors
In his current role as Corporation Counsel for the City of Newark, Neals manages the City's Department of Law and its expanding staff of approximately 45 full-time attorneys and 30 support staff members. The attorneys practice in a wide range of areas including contracts and legislation; labor; civil litigation; real estate; tax appeals and tax abatements; and workers' compensation as well as the municipal prosecutors' office.

From 2006 to 2008, he served as Chief Judge of the Newark Municipal Court, overseeing 11 full-time judges and a staff of more than 100. During his 16-month tenure as head of the State's largest and busiest municipal court, he worked to improve customer service and reduce the Court's case backlog. In addition, Neals developed a "Community Court" program, which - when completed - will unify the Court with public and private agencies to address defendant's issues in a holistic manner.

Previously, he was with the law firm of Chasan Leyner & Lamparello, PC, in Secaucus, N.J., where he later became a partner. During his 14-year career at the firm, Neals focused his practice on civil rights, criminal and governmental litigation, commercial litigation, municipal litigation, corporate and employment discrimination, copyright and trademark, in both state and federal court. Prior to that, he served as a law clerk for the Honorable Seymour Margulies, J.S.C., of the Superior Court of New Jersey, Hudson County, Civil Division. Neals received his juris doctor from Emory University School of Law in Atlanta, Georgia and graduated cum laude with his bachelor's degree from Morehouse College, also in Atlanta.

Neals Plays Instrumental Role in Development of VLJ's ReLeSe Program
Created in partnership with Newark Mayor Cory Booker's administration, the New Jersey Institute for Social Justice and other community partners, VLJ's Newark Reentry Legal Services (ReLeSe) helps low-income Essex County residents with criminal records address the civil legal barriers that serve as obstacles to their successful community reintegration. Through direct in-house representation as well as through referrals to volunteer attorneys, ReLeSe assists its clients with driver's license restoration, resolution of long out-standing municipal matters, modification of child support orders, and the expungement of criminal records.

"As the Chief Judge of the Newark Municipal Court and a member of our board of directors, Julien played an instrumental role in developing the ReLeSe program two years ago," said Karen Sacks, Esq., founding executive director of VLJ. "He possesses a deep understanding of the court system and the unique perspective of having worked in both the private sector and public service. He is the ideal choice as our new board chair."

ReLeSe serves as a model for other communities around the State. This year, VLJ received a grant, through the efforts of New Jersey federal district court judge Hon. Noel Hillman, to help create a reentry program for Camden County, modeled on ReLeSe, at Rutgers Law School-Camden.

"I am excited to have a person of such high caliber and achievement succeeding me as VLJ's board chair," added Michael Griffinger, Esq., outgoing chair of VLJ's board of directors, and director, business and commercial litigation of Gibbons, P.C. in Newark. "The organization has come a long way under the direction of Karen and our current board. I know that Julien will continue the board's close relationship with her and take VLJ to the next level."

VLJ is frequently recognized for its contributions to the community, receiving the "Community Builder Award" from the New Jersey Institute for Social Justice in 2008 and was the 2007 recipient of the New Jersey State Bar Association's "Annual Pro Bono Award." VLJ is an approved legal services provider of the New Jersey Supreme Court. This designation allows certain court costs and filing fees to be waived for VLJ's clients, enables VLJ volunteer attorneys to claim an exemption from mandatory pro bono assignments after 25 hours of voluntary service, and provides the opportunity for out-of-state attorneys to volunteer with the program.

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About VLJ: Volunteer Lawyers for Justice (VLJ) provides comprehensive legal services to economically-disadvantaged adults, children, and families in New Jersey to ensure fair and equal treatment within the legal system. Programs include free legal counsel and advice, educational seminars on various legal matters, and direct representation for at-risk individuals facing critical civil legal issues. Established in 2001, VLJ has grown from a grass roots effort of 30 volunteer attorneys in Essex County to a state-wide 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation with six staff attorneys and more than 1,500 volunteer attorneys providing free legal services to thousands of clients each year.