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Volunteer Lawyers for Justice
P.O. Box 32040
Newark, NJ 07102

Event Raises Funds for VLJ’s Critical Pro Bono Legal Services to Low-Income Individuals in N.J.

Event Date: December 06, 2011

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MONTCLAIR, N.J., Nov. 3, 2011 – On Tuesday, December 6, Volunteer Lawyers for Justice (VLJ), will host its “7th Annual Arts & Eats for Justice Gala.” The fundraiser will be held at the Montclair Art Museum in Montclair, N.J. from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. A not-for-profit 501(c)(3) corporation based in Newark, N.J., VLJ provides comprehensive pro bono legal services to economically-disadvantaged adults, children and families in New Jersey to ensure fair and equal treatment within the legal system.

The Gala will feature gourmet cuisine from the area’s top restaurants, live jazz and a silent auction. Event proceeds are earmarked for VLJ’s programs, which include free legal counsel and advice, educational seminars on various legal matters, and direct representation for at-risk individuals facing critical civil legal issues.

This year’s honorary chairs are Governor Chris Christie, Senator Frank Lautenberg and Senator Robert Menendez. At the Gala, VLJ will present its 2011 Pro Bono Leader Award to the Hon. Julien X. Neals, Esq., the City of Newark’s Business Administrator and Chair of the nonprofit’s board of directors, and its 2011 Pro Bono Award to the dedicated volunteers at AT&T. In addition, Legal Services Foundation of Essex County, VLJ’s former parent organization, will present the annual Dickinson R. Debevoise and Douglas S. Eakeley Awards that evening, which will go to Merck & Co., Inc. and Kenneth Kunzman, Esq., a partner with Connell Foley LLP in Roseland, N.J., respectively.

Sponsorship Opportunities Still Available for Companies and Individuals
A wide range of sponsorship opportunities for the Gala are available including event sponsorships from $5,000 to $25,000. All event sponsors receive tickets, listing on event signage and in all media, VIP reception admittance, and an ad in the program journal. Opportunities to place an ad in the event’s program are also available for $75 to $1,000.

Sponsors thus far include Merck at the director’s circle level; McCarter & English, Gibbons PC, and Lowenstein Sandler at the benefactor level; Pfizer at the gala level; AT&T, White & Case, Patton Boggs, and PSE&G at the award level; and DLA Piper as a VIP sponsor. In addition, The Star Ledger is serving as the general media sponsor and the New Jersey Law Journal is the legal media sponsor.

To purchase tickets to the Gala, please visit VLJ’s web site www.vljnj.org. For more information on sponsorship opportunities and tickets, please contact Tracy Nelson at tnelson@vljnj.org or 973-645-1951, ext. 109.

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About Volunteer Lawyers for Justice (VLJ)