VLJ's ReLeSe Names Stephanie Platzman-Diamant, Esq. and Elina Slavin, Esq. as its "September Pro Bono Attorneys of the Month"

Attorneys are Associates with McCarter & English, a Long-Time Supporter of VLJ's ReLeSe Program End Quote

Newark, NJ (1888PressRelease) October 12, 2011 - Volunteer Lawyers for Justice's Newark Reentry Legal Services (ReLeSe) has named Stephanie Platzman-Diamant, Esq. of Brooklyn, N.Y. and Elina Slavin, Esq. of Fair Lawn, N.J. as its "September Pro Bono Attorneys of the Month." Platzman-Diamant and Slavin are associates in the Newark, N.J. office of McCarter & English, a long-time supporter of VLJ and its ReLeSe program. Platzman-Diamant and Slavin successfully handled one of ReLeSe's complicated driver's license restoration cases in which the client had multiple license suspensions and unpaid fines in three municipal jurisdictions.

Established in 2001, Newark-based VLJ provides comprehensive legal services to economically-disadvantaged adults, children, and families in New Jersey. 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 outstanding municipal matters, modification of child support orders, and the expungement of criminal records.

"Stephanie and Elina successfully negotiated just and favorable resolutions for the client through numerous court appearances and written requests to the courts," said Gina DeVito, Esq., managing attorney of ReLeSe. "Though the case often presented unique challenges including administrative court errors, the attorneys guided the client through the municipal court system, successfully resolving all municipal matters and lifting all associated warrants and license suspensions. We wish to thank Stephanie and Elina for their valuable time, skill and compassion, and also thank McCarter & English for their continued support of our program and clients."

At McCarter & English, Platzman-Diamant represents policy holders seeking insurance coverage in range of liability claims including general, environmental, products, and employment practices. Previously, Platzman-Diamant had represented several ReLeSe expungement clients. Slavin concentrates her practice on the areas of intellectual property law and litigation.

VLJ's Continued Need for Volunteer Attorneys
Since its inception, 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 addition to ReLeSe, VLJ's 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. In order to continue this essential work, VLJ is in constant need of volunteer attorneys.

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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