VLJ Names Deidre Kole, Meredith Murphy and Edward Secrist, as its "Pro Bono Attorneys of the Month"

April 6, 2011 - PRLog -- Volunteer Lawyers for Justice (VLJ) has named Deirdre Kole, Esq. and Meredith Murphy, Esq. as its  "VLJ March Pro Bono Attorneys of the Month," and Edward R. Secrist, Esq. as the "March Pro Bono Attorney of the Month" for its Newark Reentry Legal Services (ReLeSe) program. Kole of Florham Park, N.J., and Murphy of Hoboken, N.J., are with the law firm Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP in Florham Park, N.J. A Philadelphia area resident, Secrist was recently admitted to practice in New Jersey and is licensed in both New Jersey and Pennsylvania.

Established in 2001, Newark, N.J.-based VLJ provides comprehensive legal services to economically-disadvantaged adults, children, and families in New Jersey. Programs include free legal counsel and advice; educational seminars on various legal matters such as consumer law, bankruptcy, family law, and special education; and direct representation for at-risk individuals facing critical civil legal issues.

"Deirdre and Meredith are providing critical legal services in a highly complex and thoroughly litigated family law case," said Jordyn Baumgarten, Esq., director of pro bono services of VLJ. "More specifically, they continue to graciously represent the interests of our client in several post-judgment divorce matters. We are extremely thankful to Deirdre and Meredith, and to Drinker Biddle & Reath for their continued support of VLJ."

VLJ's ReLeSe program assists ex-offenders with civil legal issues serving as barriers to successful community reintegration. Through direct in-house representation and referrals to volunteer attorneys, ReLeSe aids 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 a volunteer attorney for ReLeSe, Secrist accepted a driver's license restoration case for a client who had multiple suspensions arising in a number of jurisdictions throughout Southern New Jersey.

"Edward highlighted our client's efforts to secure employment as well as his struggles to support his children in light of financial hardships," explained Gina DeVito, Esq., managing attorney of VLJ's ReLeSe. "Through municipal court appearances and written motions to the court, Edward was able to effectively convert our client's outstanding fines to community service and secure the dismissal of several old outstanding traffic matters. This paved the way for the client to achieve license restoration."

VLJ's Continued Need for Volunteer Attorneys

Since its founding in 2001, VLJ has grown tremendously from a grass-roots effort of 30 volunteer attorneys in Essex County to a state-wide, non-profit with more than 1,500 volunteer attorneys now aiding thousands of low-income clients each year. In order to continue this essential work, VLJ is in constant need of volunteer attorneys.

"Our primary goal is to provide fair and equal treatment for all within New Jersey's legal system," remarked Karen Sacks, Esq., founding executive director of VLJ. "Each day, case by case, our volunteer attorneys move us one step closer to achieving that goal. There are a great many more individuals in New Jersey still facing legal issues though who are in desperate need of pro bono assistance."

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. Frequently recognized for its contributions to the community, VLJ received 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."

Please visit VLJ's web site at www.vljnj.org to learn more about volunteer opportunities.

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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.