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Jonathan Wolfe, Esq. and Thomas DeCataldo, Esq. |
Volunteer Lawyers for Justice
P.O. Box 32040
Newark, NJ 07102
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Release Date:Friday, March 21, 2014
Media Contact: Christine Ziomek (201) 796-7788
Skoloff & Wolfe, P.C. Known for Its Commitment to Improving Access for All to Legal System
LIVINGSTON/NEWARK, N.J., March 21, 2014 – This winter, Volunteer Lawyers for Justice (VLJ) is turning its “Attorney Spotlight” on Jonathan Wolfe, Esq. and Thomas DeCataldo, Esq. of Skoloff & Wolfe, P.C. and for very good reason. Wolfe, a resident of New York City, and DeCataldo, a resident of Berkeley Heights, have donated nearly 60 hours of work to a case referred to VLJ from Essex County Legal Aid. The family law case had an interesting twist as it involved a player drafted by a National Football League (NFL) team. Skoloff & Wolfe is based in Livingston, N.J.
“We at VLJ and our clients are extremely fortunate to have volunteer attorneys like Jonathan Wolfe and Thomas DeCataldo,” noted Cathy Keenan, Esq., director of VLJ, which is headquartered in Newark. “Time and time again, they use their knowledge and training as lawyers to aid those in difficult situations, particularly families.”
VLJ’s client was a young woman who had agreed years ago to a meager in-court settlement of $30 per month in child support from her son’s father. The client had made prior attempts to get the amount increased, but was having trouble because of her original agreement. “They were college students at the time and she accepted it,” DeCataldo said. Circumstances changed considerably last year though. The father was given a multi-year contract in excess of $2 million by a team with the NFL.
Under the settlement with the defense, the client was able to dramatically increase her monthly child support award for her child, now five years old. “With our help, the client and her child obtained a fair result and everyone is much better off,” DeCataldo added.
“Skoloff & Wolfe is committed to pro bono service and improving access to justice for the public,” Wolfe said. “As a firm based in New Jersey for more than 50 years, we applaud VLJ for the impact that it has made – and continues to make – helping the economically disadvantaged navigate the challenges of the legal system.”
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 hundreds of volunteer attorneys providing free legal services to thousands of low-income clients each year. VLJ’s programs include free legal counsel and advice; educational seminars on various legal matters such as family law, consumer law, bankruptcy and special education; and direct representation for at-risk individuals facing critical civil legal issues.
VLJ continues to expand its programming to focus on emerging areas of need. The non-profit established its Disaster Legal Response Program (DLRP) soon after Superstorm Sandy hit. Also, it recently created its Military Personnel/Veterans Legal Assistance Program (MLAP) to assist N.J.’s military and veteran population with legal issues that serve as barriers to successful reentry into the community. In order to continue this essential work, VLJ is in constant need of volunteer attorneys.
Please visit VLJ’s web site at http://www.vljnj.org/ to learn more about volunteer opportunities.
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About Volunteer Lawyers for Justice (VLJ)