Volunteer Lawyers for Justice Announces Officer Elections for its Board of Trustees; Sneha Desai Elected Chair
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 17, 2025
CONTACT
Eric W. Hughes
Director of Communications
Volunteer Lawyers for Justice
(973) 233-5724
ehughes@vljnj.org
NEWARK, NJ — Volunteer Lawyers for Justice (VLJ) announces the election of officers to its Board of Trustees, ushering in a new era of leadership dedicated to expanding access to justice for communities experiencing poverty across New Jersey. Sneha Desai, Esq., Chief Legal Counsel, Global Litigation & Employment at Stryker, has been elected Chair of the Board.
Sneha brings a wealth of legal expertise and a passion for pro bono to her new role. She previously served as Vice Chair of VLJ's Board, demonstrating a strong understanding of the organization's mission and impact.
Joining Sneha in leadership roles are Judith McCarthy, Esq., Attorney at Cheshire Law Group, who has been elected Vice Chair. Matthew Clements, Senior Vice President at Columbia Bank, and Kaitlyn E. Stone, Esq., Partner at Barnes & Thornburg LLP, will continue in their roles as Treasurer and Secretary, respectively.
"I am incredibly honored and excited to step into the role of Chair of Volunteer Lawyers for Justice’s Board of Trustees," Sneha shared. "VLJ's unwavering dedication to providing transformative civil legal services to New Jerseyans experiencing poverty is lifechanging, both for clients and volunteers alike, and I look forward to working alongside this passionate board, VLJ’s incredible staff, and our committed network of volunteers to further VLJ's mission of ensuring access to justice for people experiencing poverty.”
Cathy Keenan, VLJ's Executive Director, expressed her enthusiasm for the new leadership. "We are thrilled to welcome Sneha Desai as our new Board Chair and Judith McCarthy as Vice Chair. Their leadership, combined with the continued contributions of Matthew Clements and Kaitlyn Stone, creates a powerful team that will guide VLJ into its next chapter of growth and service. Their collective expertise and commitment to pro bono will be invaluable as we strive to meet the ever-growing civil legal needs across New Jersey."
VLJ extends its deepest gratitude to outgoing Board Chair, Tricia O’Reilly, for her many years of service.
###
About Volunteer Lawyers for Justice (VLJ)
VLJ is an award-winning, comprehensive nonprofit legal services program based in Newark, NJ, with a statewide reach. VLJ's mission is to ensure access to justice for people experiencing poverty. The Newark-based organization ensures fair access to the legal system through partnerships with corporations and hundreds of volunteer attorneys. In 2024, VLJ’s work impacted nearly 4,500 people—including 1,661 children—and its volunteer attorneys donated $2.2 million in free legal services. Connect with VLJ on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube.