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UNITING FOR JUSTICE GALA CELEBRATING 25 YEARS Tuesday, October 6, 2026 The Park Savoy Estate 236 Ridgedale Ave. Florham Park, NJ 07932

25 Years of Justice

UNITING FOR JUSTICE GALA

EVENING PROGRAM 5:30 PM

Cocktail Reception & Heavy Hors d'oeuvres There will be no separate dinner service

7:00 PM

Awards Presentation and Program Welcome Paul J. Fishman, Emcee Partner in Justice Award Paulette Brown Champion of Justice Award FBT Gibbons LLP Legacy of Justice Award McCarter & English, LLP Community Vision Award Prudential Financial VLJ Pro Bono Awards

DEAR FRIENDS, Welcome to Volunteer Lawyers for Justice (VLJ)'s Uniting for Justice Gala: Celebrating 25 Years! Twenty-five years ago, VLJ began with a single staff member, a modest office in Newark, and a bold vision: poverty should never be a barrier to justice. The simple truth VLJ was built on—that justice is a right, not a privilege—continues to drive our work. Yet today, the systems in place weren't designed with our neighbors experiencing poverty and families facing economic challenges in mind. Thankfully, tonight we celebrate a quarter-century of pro bono volunteerism and the volunteers, staff, and supporters who have made it their mission to keep tenants housed, survivors safe, veterans stable, and families on the road to economic prosperity. Since our founding in 2001, VLJ volunteers and staff have handled more than 17,400 legal cases impacting over 38,000 community members across New Jersey. More than 2,500 committed volunteers have donated 87,565 hours, equivalent to nearly 10 years of service, valued at $30.9 million. Tonight, we recognize those who have stood alongside VLJ and embodied our mission throughout our history. For their unwavering commitment to justice and community, we honor Paulette Brown, FBT Gibbons LLP, McCarter & English, LLP, and Prudential Financial. These honorees exemplify what access to justice looks like, elevating our mission from a hopeful ideal into a transformative reality. As we celebrate this milestone tonight, remember that your support—as a volunteer, donor, or advocate—is the engine that powers this work. Thank you for being a part of the collaborative change needed in New Jersey. Together, we will continue building a more just New Jersey, one case, one client, and one life at a time. With gratitude,

Cathy Keenan, Executive Director P.S., Celebrate 25 years of access to justice by supporting VLJ right now: To donate: vljnj.org/donate To volunteer: vljnj.org/why-probono

BOARD OF TRUSTEES Sneha Desai, Esq., Chair Stryker

Jodi Moskowitz, Esq. PSEG

Judith McCarthy, Esq., Vice Chair Cheshire Law Group

Tricia O’Reilly, Esq. Walsh Pizzi O’Reilly Falanga LLP

Matthew Clements, Treasurer Columbia Bank

Jennifer Prioleau, Esq. Epstein, Becker & Green, P.C.

Kaitlyn E. Stone, Esq., Secretary Barnes & Thornburg LLP

Tracey Salmon-Smith, Esq. Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP

Daniel D’Alessandro, Esq. McCarter & English, LLP

Eric Schwimmer, Esq. Seyfarth Shaw

Jennifer Eppensteiner, Esq. Reed Smith LLP

Stacey Slater, Esq. Pro Bono Strategies

Wendy Feldman, Esq. Hippo Insurance

Peter Slocum, Esq. Lowenstein Sandler LLP

Catherine Fitch, Esq. Merck & Co., Inc.

Catherine Trinkle, Esq. BASF Corporation

Michael Golden, Esq. AT&T

Kevin Weber, Esq. FBT Gibbons LLP

Mala Ahuja Harker, Esq. Friedman Kaplan Seiler Adelman & Robbins LLP

Melissa Wernick, Esq. Chiesa Shahinian & Giantomasi PC

Cathy Keenan, JD (Ex-Officio) Volunteer Lawyers For Justice

Amy Woltman, Esq. Prudential Financial

Kelly Lloyd Lankford, Esq. AbbVie

Emeritus Trustees

Naju Lathia, Esq. Day Pitney LLP

David Bershad

Howard Menaker, Esq.

Michael R. Griffinger, Esq.

GENERATION NOW COMMITTEE Generation Now Committee members are early-career professionals passionate about VLJ’s mission and giving back in a meaningful way.

Abigail Luhn, Esq. Co-Chair Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP Brandon Lee Wolff, Esq. Co-Chair Cara Anan, Esq. Cornerstone Legal LLP Deana Davis, Esq. Walsh Pizzi O’Reilly Falanga LLP Hannah E. Duus, Esq. Chiesa Shahinian & Giantomasi PC Brandon DeJesus, Esq. Dasti & Staiger, P.C. Yvette Donaldson Brown, Esq. Eckert Seamans Cherin & Mellott LLC Robert Holup, Esq. Riker Danzig LLP Isabella Pompeo, Esq. Chiesa Shahinian & Giantomasi PC Kyle Porro, Esq. Porro Legal LLC Starr Vega, Esq. Chiesa Shahinian & Giantomasi PC

Interested in joining VLJ’s Generation Now Committee? Please contact Emerald Sheay at esheay@vljnj.org.

VLJ STAFF Please join me in thanking the extremely talented, passionate, and dedicated advocates who make VLJ so effective. Without each staff member below, VLJ would not be able to fulfill its mission of delivering free civil legal help that protects rights, expands opportunity, drives economic mobility, and strengthens communities.

Yasmine Boto

Tracy Nelson

Alexandra Bravo

Allison Nolan

Victoria Carvajal

Carmen Obando

Nina DePalma

Diana Onuschak

Daniela Geraldo

Karen Robinson

Katiana Guerrier

Margo Rosenberg

Jill Heredia Lopera

Josh Savitz

Nicole Herrera

Emerald Sheay

Eric W. Hughes

Dave Singer

Min Jee Christina Kim

Jeff Stephens

Jessica Kitson

Saranya Thana

Adaneka Witter Judge

Thank you for being the greatest team ever! It is an honor and a privilege to work alongside you.

DUAL GOLF & GALA SPONSOR T H A N K Y O U THANK YOU TO OUR 2025 GALA SPONSORS

TO OUR 2026 GALA SPONSORS

VLJ’s Vision

Rooted in the belief that justice is a right, not a privilege, we envision a New Jersey where people experiencing poverty have equal access to justice. 8

BUILDER OF JUSTICE sponsors

David Bershad & Mindy Cohen

BUILDER OF JUSTICE sponsors

Michael & Jane Griffinger

defender OF JUSTICE sponsors

champion OF JUSTICE sponsors

promoter OF JUSTICE sponsors

25TH ANNIVERSARY COMMITTEE

UNITING FOR JUSTICE GALA CELEBRATING 25 YEARS

The Uniting for Justice Gala would not be possible without the dedication and hard work of our incredible planning committee that played a vital role in bringing this event to life.

Michael Griffinger Co-Chair

David Bershad

Ann Kappler Prudential Financial Kelly Lloyd Lankford AbbVie Naju Lathia Day Pitney LLP

Anne Collart FBT Gibbons LLP

Susan McGahan AT&T

Daniel D’Alessandro McCarter & English, LLP

Tricia O’Reilly Walsh Pizzi O’Reilly Falanga LLP

Karen Sacks Co-Chair Sacks Consulting

Mala Ahuja Harker Friedman Kaplan Seiler Adelman & Robbins LLP

Stacy Slater Pro Bono Strategies Catherine Trinkle BASF Corporation

Natalya Johnson Johnson & Johnson

Amy Woltman Prudential Financial 14

EMCEE

PAUL J. FISHMAN Arnold & Porter

Paul Fishman heads Arnold & Porter's Crisis Management and Strategic Response team and is the managing partner of the firm's Newark office. He focuses on counseling executives and boards of directors on complex and sensitive issues, and handles internal and government investigations, white collar criminal defense, commercial litigation, and corporate compliance and governance. Paul is an accomplished trial and appellate lawyer with extensive experience in federal and state courts. Prior to joining Arnold & Porter, Paul served as the United States Attorney for the District of New Jersey from 2009 through 2017. In 2023, VLJ honored Paul with our Champion of Justice Award for his unwavering support of justice throughout his remarkable career.

PARTNER IN JUSTICE AWARD

PAULETTE BROWN Volunteer Lawyers for Justice honors Paulette Brown with the Partner in Justice Award at this year’s Uniting for Justice Gala: Celebrating 25 Years

Paulette Brown, Esq. is a nationally respected attorney, leadership advisor, and diversity, equity, and inclusion strategist whose work has had a profound and lasting impact on the legal profession. Widely recognized for her historic service as president of the American Bar Association (ABA) from 2015 to 2016, Paulette became the first woman of color and the first Black woman to lead the ABA in its history. During her tenure, she advanced a far-reaching agenda centered on inclusion, professional equity, and systemic reform, helping to secure significant policy changes that expanded the profession’s focus on diversity, fairness, and access to justice. Through her leadership, advocacy, and institution-building, Paulette has helped reshape national conversations about who belongs in the profession, how legal organizations can build equitable cultures, and what meaningful leadership looks like in times of change. Paulette’s legal career began after she earned her undergraduate degree from Howard University and her law degree from Seton Hall University School of Law. She built a multifaceted practice that included private practice, law firm leadership, in-house counsel roles at major corporations, and service on the bench as a municipal court judge. Over the years, she served as a founding law firm partner, worked as a solo practitioner, and later became a partner and chief diversity and inclusion officer at a major law firm, where she developed and led strategies to recruit, retain, and advance diverse legal talent. In addition to her ABA presidency, Paulette has held numerous influential leadership positions throughout the legal community. She is a past president of the National Bar Association and the Association of Black Women Lawyers of New Jersey, and she also made history as the first person of color to chair the Labor & Employment Section of the New Jersey State Bar Association.

PARTNER IN JUSTICE AWARD Across these roles, Paulette has been a powerful force for expanding opportunity, strengthening leadership pipelines, and challenging longstanding structural barriers within the profession. She has been widely celebrated for opening doors for women, lawyers of color, and other underrepresented attorneys, while helping institutions confront the cultural and organizational changes necessary to create more inclusive and sustainable professional environments. Her leadership has extended beyond bar governance into public service and civic engagement, including international election-monitoring work in South Africa and service as Chair of the Board of the New Jersey Institute for Social Justice. She has also contributed her insight and leadership to boards and advisory bodies focused on civic opportunity, legal equity, and education, including the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law and Seton Hall Law School. An internationally recognized speaker and educator, Paulette is known for her work on implicit bias, inclusive leadership, and strategies for institutional change. Through her legal career, public leadership, writing, and advocacy, Paulette has left an enduring mark on the profession by elevating the importance of equity, broadening pathways to leadership, and helping legal institutions better reflect the communities they serve. Her legacy is one of excellence, courage, and transformative impact in the law and beyond. For her decades spent raising the bar on the legal profession and access to justice, Volunteer Lawyers for Justice proudly honors Paulette with the Partner in Justice Award, which recognizes law firms, corporations, or individuals whose collaborative approach has expanded the reach of justice initiatives and made a lasting impact. This award celebrates those who work closely with legal aid organizations and community stakeholders, sharing resources, expertise, and leadership to ensure our efforts are effective, responsive, and community centered.

CHAMPION OF JUSTICE AWARD

Volunteer Lawyers for Justice honors FBT Gibbons LLP with the Champion of Justice Award at this year’s Uniting for Justice Gala: Celebrating 25 Years

FBT Gibbons LLP is a leading national law firm serving clients ranging from mid-sized businesses to multinational corporations and growthoriented startups operating in or investing in middle markets. A serviceoriented organization at its core, FBT Gibbons is committed to being both a powerful advocate for its clients and a difference maker in its local and global communities. The firm’s work is grounded in a strong sense of civic responsibility, and one of the ways it honors this responsibility is by devoting thousands of hours each year to pro bono. In 2000, Michael R. Griffinger, with then Gibbons, Del Deo, Dolan, Griffinger & Vecchione, and partners from McCarter & English, LLP and the Essex County Bar Association, saw the legal services offices in Essex County were overwhelmed with requests for assistance. Realizing the untapped resource of the private bar, they began conversations and work that laid the foundation for what would become “Volunteer Lawyers for Justice” (or more commonly, “VLJ”). Twenty-five years later, the firm’s commitment to pro bono and access to justice is as strong as ever: since 2001, more than 170 FBT Gibbons attorneys have volunteered with VLJ, handling over 1,100 legal matters and contributing 7,200 plus hours with a value of service exceeding $2.6 million. In 2014, working with partners from PSEG and McCarter & English, the firm helped launch VLJ’s Military Legal Assistance Program (now the Veterans Legal Program), the first of its kind in New Jersey. The program assists veterans with child support modifications, criminal record expungements, driver’s license restoration, estate planning, eviction defense, and other civil legal issues that impeded veterans’ safety, security, and stability.

CHAMPION OF JUSTICE AWARD That same spirit of collaboration has seen the firm support VLJ’s efforts with the annual EmPOWERing Pro Bono Day, an industry-wide day of pro bono service bringing together in-house legal teams from electric and utility companies along with law firm and civil legal aid partners. In 2024, recognizing the firm’s ongoing enthusiastic embrace of pro bono, VLJ nominated then-Gibbons P.C. and our Veterans Legal Program partners for the Pro Bono Institute’s CPBO Pro Bono Partner Award, with the group winning the award. That award was not the first or last the firm would receive for their dedication to pro bono. Several firm staff have been nominated by VLJ and won awards, including the New Jersey State Bar Association (Mary Frances Palisano in 2015 and Michael R. Griffinger with the Lifetime Pro Bono Achievement Award in 2020), the Essex County Bar Association’s Bernard A. Kuttner Pro Bono Service Award (the firm in 2009 and Mary Frances Palisano in 2020), and the New Jersey Legal Awards “Pro Bono Lawyer of the Year” (Kevin Gilmore in 2025). VLJ has also been fortunate to have several FBT Gibbons attorneys serve on our board of trustees. It is with twenty-five years of partnership and excellence that VLJ honors FBT Gibbons with the Champion of Justice Award, which recognizes a law firm, corporation, or individual that has demonstrated exceptional leadership in advancing access to justice through pro bono service. This award honors those who lead by example, mobilizing talent and resources, responding to urgent legal needs, and using their influence to create meaningful change in the community. From the early days of VLJ to supporting families in the wake of Superstorm Sandy, veterans returning home from service, children seeking the educational services they need and deserve, community members working to move beyond their criminal records, or households facing eviction, FBT Gibbons has been a powerful champion of justice in New Jersey.

LEGACY OF JUSTICE AWARD

Volunteer Lawyers for Justice honors McCarter & English, LLP with the Legacy of Justice Award at this year’s Uniting for Justice Gala: Celebrating 25 Years

McCarter & English, LLP is a full-service law firm with more than 425 lawyers across 12 offices delivering sophisticated legal solutions nationwide. Beyond its client work, the firm has made pro bono service a true cornerstone of its practice, and for twenty-five years, McCarter & English has stood as one of New Jersey's most transformative forces in the pursuit of equal justice, a firm whose vision didn't just support the growth of Volunteer Lawyers for Justice (VLJ), but helped bring it into existence. In 2000, when Essex County’s legal services offices were buckling under the weight of unmet need, McCarter & English partner Susan Feeney joined forces with colleagues from Gibbons, Del Deo, Dolan, Griffinger & Vecchione (now FBT Gibbons LLP) and the Essex County Bar Association to mobilize the private bar’s untapped potential. That insight became VLJ. A quarter-century later, the firm’s pro bono fingerprints are on nearly every major chapter of VLJ’s story. The numbers alone speak to a remarkable commitment: since 2001, more than 240 McCarter & English attorneys have volunteered with VLJ, handling over 1,400 legal matters and contributing 9,500+ hours valued at more than $3.7 million. Yet the firm's generosity runs deeper than pro bono hours. As one of VLJ's leading financial supporters, and by generously providing the very office space that houses our operations, McCarter & English has given VLJ not just its time, but its home. Whenever New Jersey residents experiencing poverty have faced civil legal challenges, McCarter & English has answered the call. McCarter & English served as an early champion of VLJ’s Debt Relief Legal Program, ReLeSe (Reentry Legal Services) Program, and Tenancy Program (including full-representation eviction defense cases), and the firm hosts a monthly Divorce Program legal clinic at its Newark office.

LEGACY OF JUSTICE AWARD When Superstorm Sandy devastated local communities, McCarter & English attorneys stepped up for VLJ’s Disaster Legal Response Program, guiding neighbors with compassion through complex legal recovery challenges. In 2014, partnering with PSEG and Gibbons P.C., the firm helped launch VLJ’s Veterans Legal Program—the first of its kind in New Jersey. The program addresses civil legal issues that can impede veterans’ safety, security, and stability. In 2015, in partnership with VLJ, McCarter & English successfully obtained the first vacatur relief for a survivor of human trafficking in New Jersey, launching our New Jersey Survivors Justice Project. The firm has sustained that commitment and continues to assist trafficking survivors seeking vacatur and expungement relief. This extraordinary record of service has earned national and regional acclaim. The American Bar Association awarded McCarter & English its premier Pro Bono Publico Award in 2019 and in 2024, the Pro Bono Institute presented the firm and its Veterans Legal Program partners with the CPBO Pro Bono Partner Award. Individual firm attorneys have also been honored with the Essex County Bar Association’s Bernard A. Kuttner Pro Bono Service Award (Geoffrey Rosamond in 2012; Penelope Taylor in 2026). VLJ has also been fortunate to have a long line of McCarter & English attorneys serve as visionary leaders on our board of trustees. As VLJ celebrates our 25th anniversary, we proudly present McCarter & English with the Legacy of Justice Award, which recognizes a law firm, corporation, or individual whose enduring commitment to pro bono legal service has expanded access to justice and strengthened the community over time. From Superstorm Sandy's aftermath to housing stability to survivors' second chances, McCarter & English's legacy is written into the lives of countless New Jerseyans who found, because of this firm, that justice was within reach.

COMMUNITY VISION AWARD

Volunteer Lawyers for Justice honors Prudential Financial with the Community Vision Award at this year’s Uniting for Justice Gala: Celebrating 25 Years

For 150 years and counting, Prudential Financial has been helping its customers live better lives, longer. And today, it’s more dedicated than ever to promoting financial security by continuing to innovate and drive meaningful, lasting change for future generations. Nowhere has that change been more tangible than through Prudential’s pro bono work and community service. Prudential’s enthusiastic embrace of pro bono has set a “gold standard” for volunteerism and supporting historically underrepresented and underresourced communities, especially in Newark, New Jersey, where the company has been headquartered since its founding. Prudential attorneys first began their pro bono journey with Volunteer Lawyers for Justice (VLJ) in response to the Great Recession and accompanying debt crisis, quickly becoming champions in providing legal services to families facing crippling consumer debt. Since 2010, more than 220 Prudential employees have volunteered with VLJ, handling over 2,000 cases and contributing more than 4,200 hours valued in excess of $1.3 million. Simply put, Prudential’s culture of community is award-winning: In 2024, Prudential’s Law, Compliance, Business Ethics and External Affairs team was awarded the American Bar Association’s Pro Bono Publico Award and the Essex County Bar Association’s Bernard A. Kuttner Pro Bono Service Award for bringing dignity and justice to thousands of Essex County residents. VLJ has been fortunate to have several Prudential attorneys serve on our board of trustees.

COMMUNITY VISION AWARD Nearly two decades later, Prudential remains an incredible champion of pro bono and empowering the communities in its hometown and beyond. This partnership has been transformative to our work supporting families struggling with debt, veterans transitioning from military service, neighbors looking for stability after divorce, tenants facing eviction, and others dreaming of a better tomorrow. It is fitting that VLJ honors Prudential with the Community Vision Award, which recognizes a law firm, corporation, or individual whose forwardthinking leadership has advanced innovative approaches to pro bono legal service. This award celebrates those who anticipate emerging community needs and help shape strategies, initiatives, and partnerships that position the legal community to expand access to justice now and into the future.

Congratulations to tonight’s remarkable gala honorees! It is an honor to recognize the outstanding achievements of Paulette Brown, FBT Gibbons LLP, McCarter & English, LLP, and Prudential Financial.

Many thanks to Cathy Keenan and Volunteer Lawyers for Justice’s staff for your commitment to ensuring access to justice.

David Bershad & Mindy Cohen

We extend our warmest congratulations to tonight's gala honorees. It is a privilege to celebrate the exceptional accomplishments of Paulette Brown, FBT Gibbons LLP, McCarter & English, LLP, and Prudential Financial. Thank you to everyone who has supported Volunteer Lawyers for Justice in their 25 years of serving New Jersey.

Michael & Jane Griffinger

VLJ PRO BONO AWARDS CAITLIN P. CASCINO, ESQ. Walsh Pizzi O’Reilly Falanga LLP

MICHAEL R. GRIFFINGER VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR Following in the tradition set by founding VLJ Trustee, Michael R. Griffinger, this award recognizes the exemplary pro bono efforts of an individual lawyer. Caitlin P. Cascino, a partner at Walsh Pizzi O’Reilly Falanga LLP, has demonstrated a deep and sustained commitment to Volunteer Lawyers for Justice and to expanding access to legal services for New Jersey residents. Through her work with VLJ, Caitlin has contributed her experience as an employment litigator and counselor while also dedicating her time to direct client service and community-based legal clinics. Caitlin regularly volunteers through Walsh’s monthly VLJ Tenancy Clinic in partnership with AbbVie, helping tenants navigate legal issues that can have an immediate and profound impact on their housing stability. She also volunteered at VLJ’s ReLeSe expungement e-filing clinic in June, assisting individuals seeking a fresh start by navigating the process of clearing eligible criminal records. Her commitment to VLJ extends beyond individual clinic opportunities. Caitlin has provided employment law counseling to the organization and has handled referrals through VLJ involving employment law, retirement, and discrimination issues. Her substantive experience representing employers in matters involving workplace discrimination, retaliation, and other employment disputes allows her to bring valuable expertise to clients facing complex legal challenges. Caitlin’s service to VLJ also extends beyond direct client work. She has contributed her time to VLJ’s Golf Committee and previously served on the Gala Committee and Generation Now Committee, supporting the organization’s fundraising and outreach efforts. Through both her committee service and hands-on legal work, she has supported VLJ’s mission in ways that extend well beyond the traditional attorneyclient relationship. We honor Caitlin for her meaningful contributions to Volunteer Lawyers for Justice and for demonstrating the spirit of pro bono service that this award represents. Her willingness to share her legal expertise, give her time, and advocate for individuals navigating difficult circumstances reflects the powerful difference that volunteer lawyers can make in their communities.

VLJ PRO BONO AWARDS STEPHANIE RICARDO-LEFF Merck & Co., Inc.

OUTSTANDING ADVOCATE FOR JUSTICE This award recognizes the exemplary efforts of a non-attorney volunteer in assisting clients, improving VLJ systems and processes, and supporting access to justice. Stephanie Ricardo-Leff has been a member of Merck’s Offices of the General Counsel for more than 20 years and an active member of the company’s pro bono program for nearly as long. She is currently an Associate Director in the Legal Operations, Innovation and Technology team and serves as the Coordinator of Merck’s global Pro Bono Program. In this role, she collaborates with colleagues and nonprofit partners to expand meaningful volunteer opportunities, advance access to justice, and strengthen Merck’s culture of service. Stephanie joined Merck in 2004 and has held various positions within the company’s Legal Department, including roles supporting the intellectual property group, corporate transactions team, legal technology initiatives, special projects, and department-wide programs. Stephanie is an active member of Merck’s Rainbow Alliance Employee Business Resource Group, where she supports efforts to foster LGBTQ+ inclusion and allyship. She currently champions the PRIDE Name Change Clinic in partnership with Volunteer Lawyers for Justice, helping individuals secure legal names that authentically reflect who they are, an essential step toward safety, dignity, and inclusion in every aspect of daily life. Before Merck, Stephanie worked as a legal secretary at the law firm of Pollack and Zuckerman. She earned an Associate degree in Legal Assisting from Gibbs College and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Berkeley College. Congratulations, Stephanie, and thank you for ensuring access to justice with Volunteer Lawyers for Justice!

VLJ PRO BONO AWARDS DEFENDERS OF JUSTICE Recognizing the outstanding contributions of pro bono volunteers who have championed justice this year.

ANA CAQUIAS

CARLEY CLARK

McCarter & English, LLP Divorce Program

Morgan Lewis Divorce Program, Debt Relief Legal Program, ReLeSe (Reentry Legal Services) Program, and Tenancy Program

MANNY GARCIA

DANIELLE IMBEMBA

Prudential Financial Divorce Program

Audible Children’s Representation Program

CHERYL LIN

CHRIS VANDERWOLK

Cheryl Lin Law, LLC Immigration Screening Clinic and Veterans Legal Program

Vanderwolk Law LLC Veterans Legal Program

our volunteers Please join us in recognizing those who volunteered with VLJ from September 2025 to September 2026. This list includes attorneys and non-attorneys—talented and dedicated professionals who serve as an inspiration to New Jersey’s legal community. Emily Abbott Carmen Abrazado Jennifer Adams Immanuel Adeola Blessing Adeyeye Alejandra Aguirre Andrew Alessandro Clark Alexandre Yvette Alvarez-Perez Oluwaseyi Amorin Cara Anan Dmitry Andreev Zainab Anwar Hannah Argul Abena Armah-Gakpo Robert Aronson Antonio Arthurs Stephanie Ashley Fatin Assaf Ann Marie Aston Tara Auciello Robert Ayes Sylvia Ayler Samantha Baccaro Jennifer Bagger Jameson Kaitlyn Baietto Mia Banks Brandon Bannock Cristina Baragona Lisa Rosemarie Barata Bianka Barraza Alyssa Bartholomew Joshua Barzel Jacqueline Bauer Morris Bauer Jonathan Beck Allana Beddoe Ruchi Behera Georgia Bender Jennifer Bender Nydia Benders

Timothy Benedict Steve Berlin Mikayla Berliner Zachary Berliner Sol Bernstein Daniel Besikof Mary Bessemer Cynthia Betz Brian Biglin George Blazeski Lindsey Bonafede Julianna Bongiovanni Emily Bonn Jonathan Born Jim Boyan Connor Bradley Catherine Brandon Kirsten Branigan Samuel Brickfield Michael Brosse Baerbel Brown Donnette Brown Kegan Brown Julia Browning Nicholas Bruscino Margaret "Peg" Buck Gerhard Buehning Paul Buonaguro Jeffrey Burstein Tina Bynes Julia Caccavo John Cafiero Sheila Calello Christian Callegari Barbara Camacho Sofia Camara Jason Camilo Jamie Campisi Michael Campolongo Liliana Campos Salcedo David Camuzo

our volunteers Ana Caquias Elizabeth Carbone Benedict Carmicino Diana Carrig Suzanne Carroll Becky Caruso Caitlin Cascino David Cassidy Reid Caster Bryan Castro Frank Catalina Karen Cayci Ruben Ceja Eric Chafetz Justin Chan Anwesha Chatterjee Stephanie Cheng Ross Childs Alvin Chin Deangeor Chin Laura Cicirelli Zachary Cimring Robert Cini Amanda Cipriano Brittany Clark Carley Clark Christine Clark Debra Clark Kristine Clark Melissa Clarke Diane Claussen Aaron Clay Erica Clifford Ann Clogan Gregory Coates Anna Cocuzzo Sarah Cole Crystal Colindres Terrene Collins Ida Colon-Perez Lisa Colone Michael Conforti Genna Conti Nomi Conway Deirdre Cooney James Corcoran Nicole Corona Lee Cortes

Caitlyn Coyle Christopher Cozzens David Cramer James Crowder Daniel D'Alessandro Alyssa D'Antonio Anna D'Eramo Natalie Dallavalle Brian Daly Rachel Dansky Bernadette Darcy Deana Davis Michael Davis Wilbert Davis Lauren DeCamp Thomas DeCataldo Jr. Kathleen DeCelie Michael Della Donna Sam Della Fera Jr. Lisa Dellamura Valeria Del Rosario Alexa Derkasch Sneha Desai Michael DeSimone Kerdesha Desir Bailey Desmond Melisa Desperak John Diamandis Alexandra DiFusco Benjamin DiLorenzo Karyllan Dodson Mack Thomas Doherty Stephen Donat Tina Donohoe Jibri Douglas Dan Dovdavany Alyssa Drazin Paul Dritsas Malene Duncan Melek Dunn Hannah Duus Karen Edler Joshua Elias Kieran Ensor Jennifer Eppensteiner Sabrina Espinal Cesar Estella Cheryl Faber

our volunteers Robbie Fair Wayne Fang Michael Fasciale Misbahul Fatima Danielle Federico Stephanie Feingold Jack Feinstein Brett Feldman Travis Ferguson Steven Fernandez Camila Fernandez Llorente Frank Ferruggia Breanna Fields Anna Finger Alysia Finnegan Caroline Fish Catherine Fitch Jonathan Fitzgerald Robert Flanagan Suzanne Flaton-Origenes Karen Francis Calafia Franco Jaramillo Taylor Frazier Vanesa Freire Lilli Friedman Lauren Friel Roland Fuerst Christine Gaddis Peter Galati Daniela Gallagher John Gallagher Christine Gannon Katie Gannon Manuel Garcia Mateo Garcia Tyler Garrett Jennifer Garster Gianni Garyfallos Michela Gatto Khiana Gaulrapp Carolyn Gauvin Melissa Geist Anthony Geritano Alexandra Ghelerter Justin Giacobbe Juliana Gietz David Giles Kenneth Gill

Brooke Gillar Kevin Gilmore Johanna Ginsberg Elizabeth Gioia Thomas Gironda Leslie Gold Michael Golden Ana Goncalves Kristy Gonowon Laura Gonzalez Diego Gonzalez-Cordero Laurie Goodstine Ryan Goodwin Devan Goolsby Isaac Gorenstein Desiree Grace Alexandra Grassi Susanna Gray Yolanda Greene Eric Greenwald Staci Greenwald Gabrielle Grillo Cindy Guaman Jessica Guarracino Joan Guelho Michele Guerino Alexander Guerra Joseph Gulino Yolanda Gutierrez-Almazan Robert Hagans Bryan Hahm Abdullah Haki Jessamyn Hanna Brian Hannon Heidi Hansen Merisa Hartung Michelle Hayek Carrie Hayter Sheldon O. Heber Heather Heft Isabella Henry Jahnae Henry Adam Herbst David Herman David Hernandez Ariela Herzog Kerrie Heslin Lisa Hill

our volunteers Matthew Hintz Natalie Hiott-Levine Griselda Hodaj Lauren Hogan Christina Holder Volha "Olga" Holik Jason Holt Joseph Horne Myrisha Howard Brian Howe Nathan Howe John Hreno Allie Huff Jamie Huffman Madeline Humphrey Adam Husik Sam Hussey Stacey Hyman Danielle Imbemba Elena Inclán-Velazquez Katie Insinga Donald Irons Rochelle Isaacs Ali Ismail Kristine Itliong Lisa Jakob Nida Javaid Mark Jensen Manali Joglekar Abby Johnston Matthew Jokajtys Chace Jones Chase Jones Esther Joo Hwang Afiya Jordan Robin Josey-Gaskin Wojciech Jung Brett Kahn Dimitrios Kandylas David Kane Filippa Guerra Karcewski Ingrid Karg-Ross Joshua Kass Iryna Kastsiuk Tova Katims Eliyahu Kaweblum Megan Keating Nicholas Keller

Brendan Kelly John Kenney Mark Kesslen Nivritha Ketty Steven Kim Yongmoon (Elijah) Kim Crystal King Emily King Richard Kirk Katie Kissinger P. Kai Knight Rebecca Knowles Michael Kondrla Rupal Kothari Kylie Kovach Natalie Kraner Susan Kritzmacher Monica Krup Debra Kudriavetz Heather Kumor Stephen Kunen Stacy Landau Philip Langer Alexandra Lapes Deana Latif Joshua Lattimore Elizabeth Lawler Whitney Lazo Dong Lee Hwa Soo Lee Hyun Lee Matthew Leff Marisa Lenok Naomi Lerner Laurie Levin Goodstein Ruth Levy Ana Liggio Cheryl Lin Joseph Linares William Ling Alexandra Litvin James Lloyd Kelly Lloyd Lankford Natalie Lucciola Megan Lupo Jacqueline Lydic John Lynch Lauren Hogan

our volunteers Christina Holder Volha "Olga" Holik Jason Holt Joseph Horne Myrisha Howard Brian Howe Nathan Howe John Hreno Allie Huff Jamie Huffman Madeline Humphrey Adam Husik Sam Hussey Stacey Hyman Danielle Imbemba Elena Inclán-Velazquez Katie Insinga Donald Irons Rochelle Isaacs Ali Ismail Kristine Itliong Lisa Jakob Nida Javaid Mark Jensen Manali Joglekar Abby Johnston Matthew Jokajtys Chace Jones Chase Jones Esther Joo Hwang Afiya Jordan Robin Josey-Gaskin Wojciech Jung Brett Kahn Dimitrios Kandylas David Kane Filippa Guerra Karcewski Ingrid Karg-Ross Joshua Kass Iryna Kastsiuk Tova Katims Eliyahu Kaweblum Megan Keating Nicholas Keller Brendan Kelly John Kenney Mark Kesslen Nivritha Ketty

Steven Kim Yongmoon (Elijah) Kim Crystal King Emily King Richard Kirk Katie Kissinger P. Kai Knight Rebecca Knowles Michael Kondrla Rupal Kothari Kylie Kovach Natalie Kraner Susan Kritzmacher Monica Krup Debra Kudriavetz Heather Kumor Stephen Kunen Stacy Landau Philip Langer Alexandra Lapes Deana Latif Joshua Lattimore Tim Law Elizabeth Lawler Whitney Lazo Dong Lee Hwa Soo Lee Hyun-seo (Jerry) Lee Matthew Leff Marisa Lenok Naomi Lerner Laurie Levin Goodstein Ruth Levy Ana Liggio Cheryl Lin Joseph Linares William Ling Alexandra Litvin James Lloyd Kelly Lloyd Lankford Joseph Lubertazzi Natalie Lucciola Megan Lupo Jacqueline Lydic Erin Lynch John Lynch Michael Lynch Geoffrey Lynott

our volunteers Joseph Lubertazzi Karina Lucid Scott Luftig Abigail Luhn Ilana Lutman Erin Lynch Michael Lynch Geoffrey Lynott Megan Lyons Jessica Macarone Cameron MacLeod Mark Makhail Lauren Malakoff Daniel Manley Natalie Marfo Stephen Marietta Suzanne Marineau Greggory Marootian Caryn Marshall Brayan Martinez Meghan Mastracchio Marie Mathews Kristine Maurer Lauren Mauro Joann Mazur Kielblock Christopher McAuliffe Cecelia McCloud Jacqueline McDonald Sumy McEleney Kyle McEvilly Susan McGahan Ryan McGrantham Maryann McGrath Patrick McGuinness Lamar Mckenzie Maurice McLaughlin Keith McManus Kenneth McPherson George Meggali Alayna Mejias Andrew Meltzer Christian Mendoza Eric Merenstein Yvonne Metz Christopher Michel Justin Mignogna Zachary Miller Ryan Magee

Julie Maher Lauren Mann Brittany Manna Jacob Manzoor Sarah Margolis Andrew Marzullo Jessica Masi Stephen Matthews Scott McBride Jacqueline McClintock Emily McConville Frederick McDonald III Emma McElligott Julia McGowan George Meggali Miasha Melvin Sean Memon Zoraida Michaud Kira Mineroff Todd Moffett Veronica Montagna Vincent Montalto Khari Moore Iraniss Morel-Dziengeleski Karen Moreno Alexander Morgenstern Danielle Morrison Alison Morrissey Dylan Moses Sarah Mosisa Marjan Moussavian Rodolfo Munoz Ava Munson Madhulika Murali Karen Murphy Sonia Murray ChrisAnn Mustardo Maithreyi Nandagopalan Michael Naughton Kayla Naveda Derrick Neves Leigh Anne Noone Karl Norgaard Mark Norgaard Asia Norton Michael Noveck Jake O'Donnell Tricia O'Reilly

our volunteers Kevin O'Toole Lisa Odom Myrian Ojeda Stephanie Olivio Shareef Omar Kenneth On Ade Oremosu Sealtiel Ortega-Rodriguez Elvira Ortiz Tonia Ouellette Klausner Eric Padilla Tanya Pahwa Maggie Palen Mary Frances Palisano Michelle Pallak Denise Panzer Mahsa Parangi Nigeria Parrott Malory Pascarella Joseph Pasquale Kishan Patel Mili Patel Peena Patel Pooja Patel Sylvia Pearl Kathryn Pearson Kaori Pell Cesarina Pena Trabous Erica Peralta Edward Percarpio Gavin Pereira Martin Pereyra Eric Perkins Nathan Perle Nicola Perzichilli Dylan Petro Theresa Pisciotti Michael Plumb Carolyn Plump Brianne Polito Melissa Sarsten Polito Kyle Porro Nechama Potasnick Danielle Prebor Carla Prosper Luca Provenzano Stacy Puleo Leila Purqurian

Shahzad Qadri Gigi Quatrone Alexander Raap Harley Raff Patrick Rehfuss Jacqueline Reich Jarred Reiling J David Reilly Denise Rekem Colleen Restel Taylor Reynolds Thomas Rezach Brenda Ribadeneyra Stephanie Ricardo-Leff David Ricci Ryan Richman Patrick Riley Daina Rindler Asad Rizvi Laurie Robinson Cliff Roca Carissa Rodrigue Jocelyn Rodriguez Maritza Rodríguez Corey Roe Liam Rogan Jackie Rojas Danielle Roman Han Lin Rong Claudia Rosado Geoffrey Rosamond Kendra Rosario Sandra Rosenband Zachary Rosenberg Paul Rosenthal Marc Rothenberg Thomas Rowland Barry Roy Moira Rueda Lauren Russell Erica Russo Mario Russo K. Oliver Rust Hatim Sabir Matthew Sachs Antonious Sadek Patrick Salamea Jennifer Sanapareddy

our volunteers Clare Santana Eduardo Santiago-Acevedo Gary Sapir Priscilla Savage Swati Sawant Jennifer Schibilia Noemi Schor Meredith Schalick Andrea Schreiber Amanda Schwartz Brian Schwartz David Schwartz Ellen Schwartz Daniel Seaman Eric Seltzer Richard Seltzer Jerome “Jerry” Shaen Ryan Shaffer Nakul Shah Alexander Shalom Jacqueline Shanes Scott Sherman Nicole Shim Emily Shingle Jacob Shulman Ethan Silver Justin Silverberg Marc Silverman Cory Simmons Fran Skoller Stacey Slater Kate Slavin Elizabeth Sloan Susan Smalley Diane Smith Holden Smith Michele Smith Kiran Somashekara Naoya Son Carolina Souza Alyssa Spector Michael Spinello Maria Stamatos Andrew Stavish Michelle Stegmann Alexander Steinberg Jordanne Steiner Philip Stern

Dan Stone Kaitlyn Stone Jason Storipan Alex Storzillo William Strauss Rebecca Striplet Nicole Sullivan Thomas Sullivan Carlee Sutera Jillian Szymonifka Katherine Taggart Amani Taha Pauline Tarife Penelope Taylor Monica Taylor-Countryman Dianne Telesford-Gibbs Lindsey Temes Loren Terry Sebastian Thess Elizabeth Thomas Joan Thomas Natilie Thomas Valeria Thomas Paola Toro Stacey Torres Anabela Trangone Catherine Trinkle Stacie Trott Kevin Turner Priscilla Twumasi Anish Vaidya Kyle Valente John Vales Chris Vanderwolk Amy Van Eepoel Elizabeth Van Etten Wylie Van Ness Zulma Velazquez Patricia Vendola Alex Viner Nicole Virella Alexander Walton Nari Wang Samantha Weckenman Eric Weinstock Judith "Judy" Weinstock Steven Weisman Catherine Weiss

our volunteers Danielle Weslock Taylor West Thomas Wester Ethan Whitaker Ashleigh White Brenda Widman Emma Wilcox Jeffrey Wild Jalen Williams Malikah Williams Brian Wilton Matthew Windman

Jen Winter Jessica Witkowski Mauro Wolfe Amy Woltman LeAnn Woo Keith Woolridge William Wright Reymond Yammine Richard Yaskin Yvette Yun Lisa Zavis Christian Zazzali

THANK YOU TO OUR VOLUNTEERS! Since 2001, more than 2,500 volunteers have donated 87,565 hours with VLJ, impacting over 38,000 people and totaling $30.9 million in free legal services.

Over the past twenty-five years, our volunteers have donated time equal to approximately 3,648 days or nearly 10 years of service. For 25 years of volunteers, scan the QR code or visit: vljnj.org/25-years-of-vlj

YOUR GALA PADDLE HOW THE PADDLE RAISE WORKS: All paddles will be placed in envelopes at each person's designated table (they will be labeled with your name). When the time comes to donate, please raise your paddle high so our auctioneer, Harry Santa-Olalla, can see your number clearly. At the end of the night, VLJ will send out a text message with a link to pay. For those who put a credit card on file, your card will be charged. For those who would like to make other payment arrangements, please visit the check-out table.

VLJ 42

SCAN TO DONATE On your smartphone or tablet, open the built-in camera app. Point the camera at the QR code below. Tap the banner that appears on your smartphone or tablet. Follow the onscreen instructions to donate.

HELPING NEWARK REACH EVEN HIGHER. At Prudential, our commitment to Newark is as strong as when we opened here in 1875. Through The Prudential Foundation, we’ve invested $1 billion in our hometown to foster education, spur innovation, and create meaningful jobs. In the past decade, we’ve also provided $1.2 billion for initiatives working to close the city’s financial divide and create greater equity for the people of Newark—all so we can prosper together.

We’re proud to help honor Volunteer Lawyers for Justice, who share our commitment to increasing access to financial security for everyone.

Learn more at prudential.com

© 2026 Prudential Financial, Inc. and its related entities. Prudential, PGIM, the Prudential logo, and the Rock symbol are service marks of Prudential Financial, Inc. and its related entities, registered in many jurisdictions worldwide. 1080601-00001-00

2026

We Are Proud to Partner with Volunteer Lawyers for Justice (VLJ) For more than 100 years, Panasonic has been guided by a simple principle: contributing to society by improving people’s lives and helping build a better future. As a Champion of Justice sponsor, we are proud to support VLJ’s Uniting for Justice Gala as it celebrates 25 years of expanding access to justice for individuals, families, veterans, and communities in need. Their commitment to serving others reflects values that are deeply aligned with our own and inspires us to continue strengthening communities, expanding opportunity, and helping create a brighter future for all. Learn more at na.panasonic.com

Venable Is Proud to Support

Volunteer Lawyers for Justice

We’re thrilled to join the 2026 Uniting for Justice Gala and celebrate VLJ’s mission of empowering communities and ensuring access to justice across New Jersey. Congratulations to this year’s honorees!

JaMar S. Mancano, Esq. Attorney advertising.

26-576

750 E. Pratt Street, Suite 900, Baltimore, MD

Celebrating 25 Years of Uniting for Justice We are proud to support VLJ's work advancing access to justice and congratulate them on 25 years of impact.

cliffordchance.com/community

NJM Insurance Group is proud to support

VLJ’s Uniting for Justice Gala and congratulates this year’s honorees

Visit njm.com or call 1-800-232-6600 for a quote today

MOSKOWITZ LAW FIRM

www.amosklaw.com Fighting for the rights of employees in New Jersey and New York.

Volunteer Lawyers for Justice The Moskowitz Law Firm congratulates Volunteer Lawyers for Justice (VLJ) for 25 years of ensuring that financial circumstances are not a barrier to accessing civil legal services and advancing systemic reforms to reduce poverty and close racial, social, and economic equity gaps.

Thompson Hine LLP proudly congratulates

Volunteer Lawyers for Justice on 25 years of dedicated service.

We stand united with those who champion access to justice for people experiencing poverty. ThompsonHine.com

Thank You to Our Sponsors!

CELEBRATING 25 YEARS OF ACCESS TO JUSTICE

vljnj.org/25-years

Partnering with volunteers, we deliver free civil legal help that protects rights, expands opportunity, drives economic mobility, and strengthens communities.

Volunteer Lawyers for Justice PO Box 32040 Newark, NJ 07102 (973) 645-1955 vlj@vljnj.org www.vljnj.org

We are proud to support

Volunteer Lawyers for Justice as it celebrates 25 years of advancing access to justice. We are honored to receive the Legacy of Justice Award and grateful to stand alongside this year’s fellow honorees.

Four Gateway Center, 100 Mulberry Street, Newark, NJ 07102 McCarter & English, LLP | www.mccarter.com