As we approach the end of the year, Volunteer Lawyers for Justice would like to express our heartfelt gratitude for your support. Your dedication to and enthusiastic embrace of our mission to ensure access to justice for people experiencing poverty has changed lives across New Jersey.

During this holiday season, we wish you joy, safety, peace, and happiness. May the new year bring you abundance and fulfillment in all your endeavors.

Year-End Giving: Give Justice

When you donate to VLJ, you’re doing more than supporting access to justice, you’re supporting families overwhelmed with medical debt, housing stability, second chances for neighbors with criminal records, survivors of human trafficking, and the many veterans who call New Jersey home.

Not only that, but studies have shown supporting civil legal services providers like VLJ is good for the economy, local communities, and our democracy.

While our services are free to VLJ clients, they aren't free to coordinate, so when you give this holiday season, give justice.

New Faces, Rising Stars: VLJ Staff Updates

Welcoming New Staff

Saranya Thana — VLJ's New Director of Development

As Director of Development, Saranya leads VLJ’s fundraising and donor engagement efforts. With nine years of experience in non-profit fundraising, Saranya has gained an understanding of how to build sustainable support for community services.

Prior to joining VLJ, Saranya worked for a variety of organizations across New Jersey focused on child abuse prevention, services for individuals with developmental disabilities, and treatment programs for those affected by substance use and mental health challenges.

Saranya holds a BS in Political Science from Rutgers University and a MA in International Affairs from The New School.

With a background in fundraising strategy, event management, and donor relations, Saranya is deeply committed to advancing VLJ’s mission of ensuring access to justice for people experiencing poverty. Her passion for social justice drives her work to ensure that underserved communities have access to the legal resources and support they need.

Dana Panavalli — VLJ's New Temporary Staff Attorney

While at VLJ, Dana is supporting the Tenancy Program. She is a graduate of Rutgers University and St. John's University School of Law.

Welcome, Saranya and Dana!

Celebrating Promotions

Alexandra Bravo has been promoted to Senior Staff Attorney.

Allison Nolan has been promoted to Managing Attorney. She also joins VLJ's leadership team.

Congratulations, Alexandra and Allison!

VLJ's November 2024 Volunteer of the Month: Stephen Kunen

In this season of gratitude and serving those who served, Stephen Kunen, Senior Corporate Counsel at Palo Alto Networks, is proudly recognized as VLJ’s November 2024 Volunteer of the Month. Stephen earned a bachelor’s degree in neuroscience and behavior from Columbia University and a Juris Doctor from Emory Law School, and at Palo Alto Networks, Stephen is a corporate transactions attorney specializing in cybersecurity.

Crediting a bit of pro bono inspiration, Stephen began volunteering with VLJ in 2021 after hearing positive feedback from former colleagues at AT&T. During his nearly three-year volunteer journey, Stephen has primarily supported VLJ’s Veterans Legal Program while also giving his time and talent to VLJ’s Divorce Program, South Ward Promise Neighborhood Program, and Tenancy Program.

To date, Stephen’s enthusiastic volunteerism includes more than 100 hours on 47 legal matters, service valued at over $55,200. Talk about a powerful boost for access to justice!

Read More About Stephen Here

Cathy Keenan On Air with Newark Today

On November 21, VLJ's Executive Director Cathy Keenan was interviewed by Michael Hill on Newark Today. During her interview, Cathy discussed VLJ and the organization’s efforts to ensure access to justice for people experiencing poverty.

Click or tap below to listen to Cathy's interview.

Cover image for Newark Today hosted by Michael Hill.

Volunteer Lawyers for Justice’s Endowment Campaign Reaches $500,000 Match Goal

VLJ is thrilled to announce that it has successfully met the $500,000 match goal for its Legacy of Justice Endowment Campaign. This achievement was made possible through the generous support of 43 donors who collectively contributed $519,750 to the campaign, surpassing the match goal.

The campaign was launched with a challenge grant from David Bershad and Mindy Cohen, who pledged to match endowment gifts up to $500,000. David and Mindy have already donated $500,000 toward their pledge. When VLJ exceeded the $500,000 fundraising goal, David and Mindy donated their second $500,000. This means their support elevated VLJ's endowment to an incredible $1,519,750—an unprecedented milestone in VLJ’s history.

Key highlights of the campaign include:

•36 donors pledged $426,750

•7 donors provided outright gifts totaling $93,000

The Legacy of Justice Endowment Campaign's success demonstrates New Jersey’s strong commitment to ensuring justice is decided on the merits and not one’s ability to afford it.

For more information on the endowment campaign, or to inquire about supporting VLJ’s efforts to ensure access to justice for people experiencing poverty, please contact Saranya Thana, VLJ’s Director of Development, at sthana@vljnj.org.

Advocates Shine Light On Rash Of Deficient Evictions In New Jersey

An eye-opening report published by the Lowenstein Center for the Public Interest at Lowenstein Sandler LLP, the Housing Justice Program at Rutgers Law School, the Housing Justice Project at the Center for Social Justice at Seton Hall Law, and VLJ revealed a disturbing trend in evictions across New Jersey.

Read the Report Here

VLJ’s Director of Legal Advocacy, Jessica Kitson, who is a co-author on the report was quoted in a December 6 Law360 article:

"The idea is that we avoid cases getting to the point where they're before a judge if they can be flagged early on in the process that they are deficient. Not only does it save the court time and make sure that they're not getting to the court, to the judges, when they shouldn't, but it also gives the landlord an opportunity to cure it if it's been caught ahead of time and fixed."

This report highlights the critical need for ongoing reforms to New Jersey’s landlord-tenants courts, ensuring courts enter eviction judgments only when there is a sound legal basis to do so.

How We Do Justice Matters

At VLJ, staff like Katiana Guerrier are dedicated to empowering community members with compassion, grace, and professionalism—helping them realize a second chance—because every expungement is a step toward a brighter, kinder tomorrow.

Because how we do justice matters.