Community Corner
Volunteer Lawyers for Justice Continues Its Free Legal Aid Clinics in Moonachie for N.J. Victims of Superstorm Sandy
(VLJ), in collaboration with the Bergen County VOAD Hurricane Sandy Long
Term Recovery Committee (LTRC), will continue to hold free legal aid
clinics in Moonachie for New Jersey residents dealing with legal issues
directly related to Superstorm Sandy. The clinics are part of VLJ's Disaster Legal Response Program
(DLRP), which also includes extended representation and a statewide,
toll-free phone number staffed by volunteer attorneys. The clinics will
take place from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Recovery Information Center in the
Moonachie Presbyterian Church at 221 Moonachie Road in Moonachie on the
following dates:
- November 21
- December 5
- December 19
At
these free legal clinics, VLJ's volunteer attorneys provide counsel,
advice and/or limited scope assistance to participants. Matters often
include insurance, housing or landlord/tenant issues, contractor
disputes, and FEMA appeals. Volunteers at the clinics have included
attorneys from McCarter & English LLP, Patton Boggs LLP, UBS, Citi,
Duane Morris LLP, Gibbons PC, Jackson Lewis LLP, and Morgan Lewis.
Clinic participants should bring all relevant documents, such as
correspondence with FEMA, insurance policies and correspondence with
insurers, mortgages and recent mortgage statements, and leases and
correspondence with landlords.
Clinics are also being held in Monmouth and Ocean Counties. A regularly updated list of clinic dates is available at http://www.vljnj.org/.
All
Sandy victims with legal issues in New Jersey stemming from the storm,
regardless of their income and assets, are eligible to meet with a
volunteer attorney at the legal clinic for advice and/or brief service.
Clients needing extended representation are screened for financial
eligibility, and VLJ will attempt to locate a volunteer attorney for
those who qualify.
Find out what's happening in Hasbrouck Heightswith free, real-time updates from Patch.
VLJ's DLRP also includes a statewide, toll-free
phone number - (855) 301-2525. Intake staff is available to answer
calls on Monday-Friday between 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and will screen cases
for potential placement with volunteer lawyers. Callers may also leave a
message on the hotline after hours and receive a prompt call-back from a
VLJ volunteer or staff member to address their issues.
VLJ is a
state-wide 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation based in Newark. 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.
