Volunteer UP Legal Clinic

Join Volunteer UP Legal Clinic for our only fundraiser of the year—an exciting Casino Night on Thursday, April 24th, at the Camden County Boathouse! Every roll of the dice and hand dealt helps us provide free, high-quality legal services to individuals facing significant barriers. Your support ensures that those in need get the advocacy they deserve. Get your tickets and explore sponsorship opportunities today! https://lnkd.in/dE6EAaFz

We are thrilled to share that Patty Legge and Volunteer UP Legal Clinic were honored as Nonprofit of the Year at NAWBO South Jersey’s Beyond the Glass Ceiling Awards! Our team, along with several of our dedicated board members, proudly represented Volunteer UP, celebrating the impact we continue to make throughout South Jersey. A huge thank you to NAWBO South Jersey for this incredible recognition! We remain committed to providing high-quality pro bono legal services and empowering our communities. #VolunteerUP #NonprofitOfTheYear #BeyondTheGlassCeiling #NAWBOSJ #ProBonoLegalServices #CommunityImpact #SouthJersey

Volunteer UP is pleased to share our February volunteer of the month, Pat Madden of The Law Office of?Patrick?J.?Madden, LLC! Pat responded to a VU request via our volunteer-attorney listserv, and immediately stepped it into high gear. His client, an elderly pensioner, had been duped into opening a credit card by a much younger relative–who then proceeded to rack up a bill the client could not pay. When the creditor filed a suit against the client and she received the Complaint in the mail, she thought it was a scam. She threw out the court’s notice, and a default judgment was entered against her. Her meager savings were also clawed out of her bank account. ? Pat was just in court last week arguing a motion to vacate the default and to get her back her savings. Although the court decided against the client, she was so appreciative of Pat’s zealous advocacy. And we are, too! Let’s hear it for Pat and for all of his hard work! _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ If you are an attorney or paralegal who would like to join our volunteer listserv, please email?[email protected]?? ?

Today marks three years since the incorporation of Volunteer UP Legal Clinic as a NJ Nonprofit, and what an incredible journey it has been! Over the past three years, we’ve expanded our team, strengthened our impact, and deepened our expertise—particularly in eviction defense and helping individuals with criminal records overcome barriers to housing, employment, and opportunity. With the support of our dedicated volunteers and generous sponsors, we’ve been able to serve more clients, advocate for justice, and pave the way for even greater impact in the years ahead. Check out our 2024 Snapshot below to see the difference we’ve made together! Thank you to everyone who has been part of this mission—we couldn’t do it without you!?#VolunteerUP #3YearAnniversary #AccessToJustice

Volunteer UP stands in solidarity with the Emanet family, the Haddon Township restaurant owners targeted by ICE earlier this week. Our Reentry Staff Attorney, Kate Doyle, attended the recent press conference to show our support and reinforce Volunteer UP’s mission of advocating for justice. We are currently working alongside the @Camden Center for Law & Social Justice to distribute accurate Know Your Rights information to communities and businesses. Be equipped, Know Your Rights: carry a (free) Red Card, available in 19 different languages here -?https://lnkd.in/guu96-fH

Volunteer UP is thrilled to congratulate our Advisory Board Member, Shereen C. Chen, on being recognized by Rutgers Camden Law’s APALSA at their Lunar New Year banquet. Shereen’s dedication to giving back to her community is truly inspiring, and we were honored to attend and celebrate this well-deserved recognition with her!

Volunteer UP is delighted to showcase Christopher Keating as our January Volunteer of the Month! ? Christopher’s law firm was recently contacted by a young woman facing a small claims breach of contract suit, without the means to afford representation. Fortunately for her, Christopher immediately reached out to Volunteer UP and sought to take her on as a pro bono client via our volunteer attorney-partnership. He just?obtained an order dismissing the breach of contract lawsuit, and of course, the client was thrilled! ? Thank you, Christopher, for not only relieving this low-income client of a huge stressor, but for making an impact in our community!

Volunteer UP Legal Clinic celebrated Martin Luther King Jr. by giving back to our community at our Third Annual Expungement Clinic held earlier today.?Individuals met with a volunteer attorney and explored expungement options free of charge. This year, we were honored to help over 300 people take steps toward a brighter future. A special thank you to our sponsor, Archer & Greiner, P.C., for their incredible generosity and support. Their partnership made this impactful event possible and allowed us to continue serving our community in meaningful ways.

Volunteer UP is proud to spotlight Matthew?A. Grubman, Esq. as our December Volunteer of the Month! ? Matt recently stepped up during the busiest season of the year for many folks—sandwiched right in between the November and December holidays—to take on *two* pro bono cases for us, both involving Trusts & Estates. He’s helping a local nonprofit worker’s family get the monthly allowances left for them by their deceased father-in-law, withheld by a trustee. In the second case, he’s provided an invaluable set of eyes on an elderly woman’s self-drafted will, insuring its legal soundness. ? Thank you, Matt, for your making a difference in our communities!

Congratulations to Lisa Evans Lewis, a dedicated volunteer who also serves on our Advisory Board and Board of Trustees, for being honored by the Camden County Board of Commissioners as a 2025 Martin Luther King, Jr. Freedom Medal recipient. This prestigious award recognizes individuals who uplift and better their communities. Lisa's passion, advocacy, and tireless efforts have profoundly impacted Camden County and beyond. Please join us in celebrating Lisa for this well-deserved recognition! https://lnkd.in/egrC6BzJ