Recent Law School Grads Get Unique Hands-On Experience at VLJ

Newark, N.J.-Based Non-Profit Provides Pro Bono Legal Services to Economically-Disadvantaged Individuals in NJ
By: Amy Rohrbeck
 
Jan. 11, 2011 - PRLog -- This fall, Natalya Johnson, Esq. is getting the hands-on experience that many recent law school grads like herself dream about. A deferred associate of McCarter & English, LLP, Johnson is working as a volunteer attorney at Newark, N.J.-based Volunteer Lawyers for Justice (VLJ), a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) corporation that provides comprehensive pro bono legal services to economically-disadvantaged individuals in New Jersey. Johnson is focusing her three-month stint on VLJ's Newark Reentry Legal Services (ReLeSe), which assists low-income Essex County residents with criminal records address the civil legal barriers that serve as obstacles to their successful community reintegration.

Johnson, who graduated from Cornell Law School in May and now resides in Kendall Park, N.J, is working with ReLeSe clients on expungements by serving as an initial point of contact and helping to organize the documentation necessary to apply for expungement. She will also get the opportunity to prepare and file an expungement petition for a ReLeSe client under the supervision of Gina DeVito, Esq., managing attorney of ReLeSe.

"Natalya will come to us with a unique skill set in criminal justice cases after her work with VLJ's ReLeSe program," said Stephen M. Vajtay, Jr., Esq., managing partner of McCarter & English. "Reentry is a particular area of need in our communities today. We are thrilled to partner with VLJ in helping to break the cycle of recidivism by aiding ReLeSe clients with the frequent legal barriers they face."

A longtime supporter of VLJ, McCarter & English attorneys have provided hundreds upon hundreds of pro bono hours to VLJ, specifically ReLeSe. In addition, McCarter & English generously donates office space to the non-profit.

Established in 2001, VLJ has grown from a grass roots effort of 30 volunteer attorneys in Essex County to a state-wide not-for-profit with five staff attorneys and more than 1,500 volunteer attorneys aiding thousands of clients each year. Programs include free legal counsel and advice; educational seminars on various legal matters such as consumer law, bankruptcy, family law, and education; and direct representation for at-risk individuals facing critical civil legal issues.

In 2008, VLJ partnered with Mayor Cory Booker's administration, the New Jersey Institute for Social Justice and other community partners to create ReLeSe. 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.

A Rewarding Experience
Ryan Federer, Esq. had a decision to make. Where should he spend the year between his May 2010 graduation from Seton Hall University School of Law and his September 2011 start date with Wolff & Samson of West Orange, N.J. Friends suggested a beach in Hawaii but he took the advice of Seton Hall's public interest director and headed straight for VLJ.

"Since I started in September, I've been getting great hands-on training working on ReLeSe cases and child support matters with VLJ's staff attorneys," said Federer, who resides in Hoboken, N.J.  "Just as important, I know that my work has helped others. It's a great feeling to have at the end of the day."

Brian Calandra, Esq., would most certainly agree. Calandra worked as a deferred associate at ReLeSe and VLJ from August 2009 to July 2010, helping Essex County residents restore driver's licenses, expunge criminal records, modify child support orders, file bankruptcies, and resolve lingering legal problems. He continues to volunteer for VLJ.

"My time at VLJ was the most professionally rewarding experience of my life," said Calandra of Newark, N.J. "You never forget the surge of hope in a client's voice when you take a case or the sight of trepidation melting into relief when a judge rules in their favor. It's an experience you never forget. You feel like you're setting people free."

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About Volunteer Lawyers for Justice (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 five staff attorneys and more than 1,500 volunteer attorneys providing free legal services to thousands of clients each year.
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Source:Amy Rohrbeck
Email:***@caryl.com Email Verified
Zip:07102
Tags:Legal Assistance, Pro Bono, Non-profit, New Jersey, Newark, Expungements
Industry:Legal, Education
Location:Newark - New Jersey - United States
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