Volunteer Lawyers for Justice Names John Rue, Esq. as its "June Pro Bono Attorney of the Month"

With Help of Volunteer Attorneys, Non-Profit Provides Access to Equal Justice Within Legal System to Low-Income Individuals in N.J. End Quote

Newark, NJ (1888PressRelease) June 21, 2011 - Volunteer Lawyers for Justice (VLJ) has named John Rue, Esq. of Glen Ridge, N.J., as its "VLJ June Pro Bono Attorney of the Month." An associate in the antitrust litigation practice of White & Case LLP, in Manhattan, Rue has taken on countless special education cases for VLJ during the last five years.

Established in 2001, Newark, N.J.-based VLJ provides comprehensive legal services to economically-disadvantaged adults, children, and families in New Jersey. 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.

"John took his first case with us in 2006 and has since remained a tireless advocate for our clients needing assistance in special education law," said Karen Sacks, Esq., founding executive director of VLJ. "He also trains VLJ volunteer attorneys in this specialized area of the law and actively engages other attorneys at White & Case to aid VLJ clients. We are extremely thankful to John and to White & Case for their continued support of VLJ."

In 2007, Rue received VLJ's "Pro Bono Attorney of the Year Award." In addition, he was awarded the New Jersey State Bar Association Young Lawyers Division "Service to the Community Award" in 2008 for his special education work through VLJ.

"Working with VLJ on safeguarding the educational rights of children has been an extremely rewarding experience for me," said Rue. "When it comes to special education cases, families in need are often at a loss as to how to help their children. VLJ gives lawyers the opportunity to provide critical legal assistance to these families, enabling their children to get the education to which they are entitled by law. Just as VLJ needs volunteer lawyers, so too does White & Case depend on VLJ to match us with the clients who most need our help. We're grateful to VLJ for helping us to help our clients."

VLJ's Continued Need for Volunteer Attorneys
Since its founding in 2001, 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 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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